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What Causes Fatigue And Sore Breast After Taking Contraceptive Pills?
Question: My gf and I had an abortion (using mifepristone and misoprostol pills) 2 months back. After that she had regular periods 4 weeks post abortion. And then second periods another 4 weeks later and they ended on Sunday. We had unprotected sex on Monday. While its uncertain that she may be ovulating right next day of the periods, she thinks that she might have got pregnant. Subsequently she took the emergency contraceptive pill (levonorgestrel 1.5 mg) around 20 hours after the unprotected sex. Right now it has been 24 hours since the unprotected sex and she thinks she has early symptoms of a pregnancy like fatigue and sore breasts.
What do you think?
Also, if she has already ovulated and fertilization has taken place, will the pill work?
What do you think?
Also, if she has already ovulated and fertilization has taken place, will the pill work?
Brief Answer:
Pregnancy unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Since she has been having regular cycles after the abortion, it is likely that ovulation may have returned. Since you had the intercourse soon after the period and it is safe, pregnancy is unlikely as it is. Moreover, she has also taken emergency contraception and this gives additional protection. So, there should not be any need to worry.
The symptoms she feels are due to the emergency pill which contains a high dose of progestogen, the hormone seen in excess in pregnancy. A withdrawal bleed is often seen for a couple of days after using the pill.
The effects of the pill on the body vary depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle when it is taken. Before ovulation has happened, the pill fails ovulation; when taken after ovulation, it alters the endometrium and cervical mucus and makes fertilization difficult and if this has also happened, makes implantation tough.
Hope I have answered your query. Please feel free to contact for further clarifications. i will be happy to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Pregnancy unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Since she has been having regular cycles after the abortion, it is likely that ovulation may have returned. Since you had the intercourse soon after the period and it is safe, pregnancy is unlikely as it is. Moreover, she has also taken emergency contraception and this gives additional protection. So, there should not be any need to worry.
The symptoms she feels are due to the emergency pill which contains a high dose of progestogen, the hormone seen in excess in pregnancy. A withdrawal bleed is often seen for a couple of days after using the pill.
The effects of the pill on the body vary depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle when it is taken. Before ovulation has happened, the pill fails ovulation; when taken after ovulation, it alters the endometrium and cervical mucus and makes fertilization difficult and if this has also happened, makes implantation tough.
Hope I have answered your query. Please feel free to contact for further clarifications. i will be happy to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
She says she also felt the symptoms of pregnancy (fatigue) BEFORE she took the emergency pill. To be precise that is about after 6-7 hours of unprotected intercourse.
Is it possible that she was ovulating right after the last day of her periods and when we had sex the egg got fertilized and hence she feels such symptoms (BEFORE taking the emergency pill).
Is it possible that she was ovulating right after the last day of her periods and when we had sex the egg got fertilized and hence she feels such symptoms (BEFORE taking the emergency pill).
Brief Answer:
very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing back.
It is very unlikely to feel any symptoms of pregnancy so soon after conception, presuming that she has conceived due to the act. Symptoms are usually felt by 3-4 weeks at the earliest.
Another fact is the remote possibility of ovulation so soon after a period. Ovulation occurs two weeks prior to the onset of the next period and as such she may not have ovulated at all in this cycle so far, her cycles being 28 days apart.
Hope your query has been clarified. Please get back if you need any more suggestions. I will be ready to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing back.
It is very unlikely to feel any symptoms of pregnancy so soon after conception, presuming that she has conceived due to the act. Symptoms are usually felt by 3-4 weeks at the earliest.
Another fact is the remote possibility of ovulation so soon after a period. Ovulation occurs two weeks prior to the onset of the next period and as such she may not have ovulated at all in this cycle so far, her cycles being 28 days apart.
Hope your query has been clarified. Please get back if you need any more suggestions. I will be ready to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for the reply doctor.
It has been a couple hours since she has taken the emergency contraceptive pill (i-pill) now and she is facing terrible mood swings. Is this normal?
She also wants to smoke marijuana to feel better..will it medically affect with the i-pill?
It has been a couple hours since she has taken the emergency contraceptive pill (i-pill) now and she is facing terrible mood swings. Is this normal?
She also wants to smoke marijuana to feel better..will it medically affect with the i-pill?
Brief Answer:
Usually observed side effect.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing again.
As I mentioned, emergency pill contains excess hormone and hence can lead to hormone disturbances and the symptoms thereby produced that may mimic those of an early pregnancy and also the premenstrual symptoms. In fact, menstrual disturbances also can occur. The next normal period may get delayed by a week or two. Therefore, it is always advisable to go for this method of contraception only once or twice a year and choose a regular method instead. She should see a specialist for a clinical evaluation if she does not see her next period even ten days after it is due.
I cannot comment on the effect of smoking marijuana on the emergency pill since it is an illegal substance and research on this is not permitted. Yet, smoking tobacco has been shown to affect the function of oral contraceptives and going by the same, the effect of the pill may be reduced. Please think of alternate medication and yoga for relief.
Hope I have answered all your queries. If you need any more information, please get back. Else, please close this discussion.
Wish you good health.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Usually observed side effect.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing again.
As I mentioned, emergency pill contains excess hormone and hence can lead to hormone disturbances and the symptoms thereby produced that may mimic those of an early pregnancy and also the premenstrual symptoms. In fact, menstrual disturbances also can occur. The next normal period may get delayed by a week or two. Therefore, it is always advisable to go for this method of contraception only once or twice a year and choose a regular method instead. She should see a specialist for a clinical evaluation if she does not see her next period even ten days after it is due.
I cannot comment on the effect of smoking marijuana on the emergency pill since it is an illegal substance and research on this is not permitted. Yet, smoking tobacco has been shown to affect the function of oral contraceptives and going by the same, the effect of the pill may be reduced. Please think of alternate medication and yoga for relief.
Hope I have answered all your queries. If you need any more information, please get back. Else, please close this discussion.
Wish you good health.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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