After taking the morning-after pill, your next period may arrive on time, a few days early or a few days late, and it may be lighter or heavier than usual. Most changes are temporary. If your period is more than seven days late, or unusually light or short, take a pregnancy test.
Why the pill can change your cycle
Emergency contraceptive pills contain a hormone dose that mainly works by delaying or preventing ovulation. Shifting ovulation can also shift the timing of your next period. The effect is usually limited to one cycle.
What is common after taking it
- Earlier or later period: a shift of a few days is common.
- Spotting: some people notice light bleeding in the days after taking the pill. This is not the same as a period.
- Different flow: your next period may be lighter, heavier or feel different.
- Short-term side effects: headache, nausea, tiredness or tummy pain can happen and usually pass within a few days.
When to take a pregnancy test
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Period more than 7 days late | Take a pregnancy test |
| Period unusually light or short | Take a pregnancy test |
| No period and 3 weeks since sex | Take a pregnancy test |
| Sudden, severe pain low in the tummy | Seek medical help promptly |
A test is most reliable from the first day of your missed period. Our pregnancy test calculator helps you work out when to test.
Things to keep in mind
The morning-after pill does not protect you for the rest of your cycle. If you have unprotected sex again, you may need emergency contraception again and should consider ongoing contraception. If you vomit within a few hours of taking it, ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional whether you need another dose.
Logging the changes
Writing down the date you took the pill, any spotting and when your next period starts helps you see whether your cycle has settled. Bloom Private lets you add notes and symptoms to any day and keeps your records on your iPhone. It is not a contraceptive method and does not replace advice from a pharmacist, doctor or sexual health service.
If your periods stay irregular for more than a cycle or two after taking emergency contraception, or you are worried, talk to a healthcare professional. You can estimate your next period with our Try our free period calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Your next period may come a few days earlier or later than usual. If it is more than seven days late, take a pregnancy test.
Not always. Light spotting in the days after taking it is common and is not the same as a period.
Usually only the cycle in which you take it. If your periods stay irregular afterwards, talk to a healthcare professional.