Plan B is an emergency contraception pill taken after unprotected sexual encounter or contraceptive failure. Available as one levonorgestrel tablet, Plan B should be taken within 24 hours after sexual contact has taken place or contraception has failed.

Within 24 hours after engaging in unprotected sexual activity, taking birth control medication as soon as possible after unprotected sexual encounter may help it work more effectively; however, it should not be seen as a primary method.

Weight Gain

Plan B (levonorgestrel) is an emergency contraceptive that’s generally effective at preventing pregnancy when taken shortly after unprotected sexual encounter. Unfortunately, its effectiveness may diminish with women who are overweight or obese because their bodies metabolize the medication differently.

People of higher weight tend to have more fat cells and larger blood volumes, leading to levonorgestrel hormone dilution in Plan B medication and lessened effectiveness. Though its cause remains unknown, experts speculate that heavier bodies break down medication differently and hence make Plan B less effective than it otherwise would be.

People who are overweight may benefit from other forms of emergency contraception such as copper intrauterine devices or prescription medications like Ulipristal that work similarly to Plan B in terms of helping prevent pregnancy.

Depo Provera (medroxyprogesterone) has been linked to weight gain.

If you are overweight or obese, consult with your physician regarding other forms of emergency contraception such as copper intrauterine devices or Ella. These are two possible emergency contraceptive options to keep in mind.

Implants, which consist of thin plastic rods inserted under your skin to release hormones to stop pregnancy, and patches – small pieces of fabric worn against your skin – do not lead to weight gain either.

If your weight affects your ability to take Plan B, please speak with your healthcare provider. However, generally it’s a safe and effective option for most women.

Soon after starting Plan B, your next period may become heavier than normal for a short while – this is an expected and temporary side effect of taking this pill.

However, you should still maintain a healthy weight to avoid unwanted side effects associated with Plan B such as nausea or lower stomach pain. If these symptoms continue to manifest themselves, consult with a medical provider immediately or see your gynecologist immediately for treatment options.

Nausea

Plan B is the most commonly prescribed emergency contraceptive, used to prevent pregnancy in women engaging in unprotected sexual activity. While its side effects are generally manageable, Plan B must still be used with caution in order to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Nausea is one of the more frequent side effects for female patients taking Plan B. Though mild in nature and usually subsiding within days, if it persists or worsens it’s important to report this side effect immediately to healthcare provider.

Common side effects, including lower stomach pain and fatigue, may also subside with time.

Help reduce nausea by eating something light and small shortly after taking your dose, which will also prevent further discomfort due to throwing up. This will also help avoid potential vomiting episodes which could worsen the situation further.

One other factor that may make you queasy when taking Plan B can be an allergic reaction. If you experience hives, swelling in your mouth or throat, trouble breathing, or any other indications that an allergy reaction has taken place, contact your physician immediately.

Your doctor can recommend an appropriate anti-nausea or pain reliever medication.

If you become pregnant while taking Plan B, it is crucial that you contact a physician immediately as it could lead to an ectopic pregnancy, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Plan B is most frequently associated with nausea, which affects up to one in four women when taken. This could be triggered by levonorgestrel being three times stronger than progesterone found in traditional birth control pills.

Other potential side effects include abdominal and lower stomach discomfort. While mild episodes usually resolve quickly, if this persists for more than 48 hours it should be reported to your provider so they can prescribe anti-nausea medicine to alleviate it.

Plan B is known to cause weight gain, but this should be temporary. Once your menstrual cycle begins and bleeding occurs, your body should absorb all of its hormones and return to its regular weight within three to five days.

Lower Stomach Pain

Lower stomach pain is a frequent sign of various conditions, particularly women’s health issues. While it may feel like trapped gas or indigestion, sometimes it could also be indicative of something more serious.

Most abdominal pains are generally harmless and will pass over time without medical intervention. However, if the discomfort suddenly worsens or persists day-after-day, seek medical advice immediately.

Your doctor will gather a history and perform a physical exam to diagnose the source of your pain, including possible ultrasounds or x-rays of your abdomen and pelvis, blood tests to rule out specific underlying conditions or even CT or MRI scans if necessary.

Lower stomach pain may be an indicator of an ovarian cyst or appendicitis; such conditions typically manifest themselves near the belly button and progress gradually to the right side of your lower stomach.

These conditions require emergency treatment, so if you experience sudden and intense abdominal pain it’s wise to visit an emergency room as soon as possible. Surgery may be necessary in order to extract an impacted cyst or appendix.

Endometriosis can also cause lower abdominal discomfort that resembles period cramps. This condition occurs when tissue that lines your uterus (endometrium) attaches itself to other organs in the pelvic region and leads to inflammation there.

Constipation can also cause lower stomach discomfort. It may result from not eating enough fiber or sudden changes to your diet. Eating smaller portions and avoiding foods which impede bowel movements may help relieve some symptoms.

Other medications, including aspirin and ibuprofen, may also contribute to lower stomach discomfort; always read and follow the label when taking medications.

Plan B is an emergency contraception medication containing levonorgestrel, which acts like progesterone to block ovulation. While effective, this medicine may cause pelvic pain or irregular bleeding in some individuals.

Plan B may also be less effective among women with higher body mass index (BMI). If you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding or your period is more than seven days late, take a pregnancy test as soon as possible to ascertain if you might be expecting.

Tiredness

Plan B does not usually make people tired, although this may depend on how it’s taken. If you find yourself feeling particularly fatigued, however, it would be advisable to get some restorative rest before continuing with any further doses of Plan B.

Plan B uses levonorgestrel hormone to stop ovulation (the release of an egg from your ovaries), which may make you feel fatigued after taking this medication; however, most users report feeling better within 24 hours or two days of starting treatment with Plan B.

Your body may benefit from eating and drinking more regularly, meditating or going for long walks; check with your physician as to whether this is safe.

Nausea and vomiting may occur as side effects; you can usually manage this with frequent fluid consumption (by either eating or drinking more fluids). Nausea should be managed through eating and drinking.

Plan B may cause you to gain weight, particularly if you’re overweight or obese. Although its effects on blood volume remain unknown, they could be contributing factors.

Women with larger bodies tend to have higher blood volumes, meaning the levonorgestrel hormone in PlanB gets diluted more than in women with smaller bodies; thus limiting its impact in areas of your body such as your ovaries where it is most needed.

Plan B is often recommended for women weighing less than 176 pounds who find it harder to have an ovulation close enough to their period to avoid becoming pregnant.

Reasons behind this may remain hazy; however, one potential theory suggests that some of the hormones found in Plan B end up in fat cells which interfere with its effectiveness.

There are other methods of birth control that won’t lead to weight gain, including copper IUDs and Ella (ulipristal acetate).