Plan B is an emergency birth control pill that females can take after unprotected sex. It usually requires to be taken in the morning and within three days of unprotected sex to ensure that it is effective. However, women who often take Plan B report problems of constipation.
So, can Plan B make you constipated, or is constipation an unrelated issue? A recent study has shown that Plan B may be linked to constipation. So, before you reach for Plan B, make sure you know what side effects to expect.
Can Plan B Make You Constipated? Let’s talk in details.
What Is Plan B?
Plan B contains Levonorgestrel, a female hormone that works together with estrogen to form an oral contraceptive. It is available in the form of generic drugs.
The first dose of Plan B should be taken within 3 days of unprotected sexual intercourse. After taking the first dose, you should take your second dose after 12-14 hours of your initial dose.
It should be noted that Plan B significantly reduces the chance of pregnancy but does not eliminate it. You should still take a pregnancy test and take further steps necessary for birth control just to be safe.
You should consult with your doctor to check for any other possible medication that Plan B can end up interacting with. While it is not common, emergency contraceptives can have odd reactions to other drugs, so it is best to be safe.
Is Constipation a Side Effect of Plan B?
While constipation isn’t often listed as a side effect of Plan B, a study was done to find out if Plan B can cause constipation in women who take it. The study showed a general correlation between this. There have been reports of women experiencing cases of constipation after taking the pill.
However, it didn’t seem to be a common side effect as there have also been reports of women who did not experience any signs of constipation after taking a pill.
You may experience stomach or abdominal pains when taking Plan B. However, constipation is sometimes a delayed symptom, often a day after the second dose, although it can persist for a while if medication isn’t taken.
Constipation can be preceded by cramps or sharp pain. It is recommended to avoid taking any form of caffeine as it can worsen the situation. This was more commonly seen in younger women, but even older women had some cases of constipation occurring after taking the pill.
To summarize, constipation isn’t a common side effect of Plan B, nor is it listed as one. However, it has been noted that there is a good chance of it occurring after taking the pill.
The probability of being constipated can be further affected by external factors such as your diet and other circumstances unique to the person. Some extreme cases can include acute stomach pain or even feelings of being bloated and extreme gas.
If you’re constipated after taking Plan B, it is recommended to go on a diet of oatmeal and yogurt. Laxatives are not recommended unless they are prescribed by your doctor. This is because some laxatives can react badly with Plan B.
Common Side Effects of Plan B
There are some common side effects of taking Plan B. The most common one is feelings of dizziness which can be followed by headaches. These are usually temporary and are at their extreme during the first few hours of taking the pill. After some time, they will eventually die down, so it is recommended to rest till then.
Other side effects that can be commonly seen are cramping, primarily in the abdominal area. The pain can vary from mild to acute, varying from person to person.
Alongside this, you may experience nausea and vomiting during the first few hours after taking the pill. In the case of severe nausea or vomiting, it is recommended to seek medical attention as it can prove dangerous.
Wrapping Up
So, can Plan B make you constipated? It likely can. You can end up lucky and not face constipation problems from taking the pill, but it is often likely that you will encounter this issue.
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