What Happens If You Take Unwanted 72 During Periods?

If you had sex without protection while on your period and then consumed emergency contraceptives such as Unwanted 72, you might have thought about whether it was required, whether it has any effect on your periods, or whether it may affect your pregnancy in the coming days. 

This problem is very common among women because of all the myths associated with emergency contraceptives. Although Unwanted 72 is commonly used and quite harmless, consuming it while on your period may confuse.

In this blog post, we shall learn about what happens when you consume Unwanted 72 while on periods, its effects, and its influence on future pregnancies.

What is Unwanted 72 Tablet?

Unwanted 72 is an emergency contraceptive that is used to avoid pregnancy following unprotected sexual activity or failure of contraception. This drug consists of levonorgestrel which is a hormone that acts mainly by delaying ovulation.

The tablet is most effective when taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. The earlier it is consumed, the greater its effectiveness at avoiding pregnancy. But what one must bear in mind here is that it is for use in emergencies and cannot be taken regularly as contraception.

Can You Take Unwanted 72 During Periods?

You can take Unwanted 72 during your period, but usually you won’t need to.

You can't get pregnant on your period most of the time, because you only ovulate later, but take Unwanted 72 if you have a shorter cycle and think there is a chance you may be pregnant.

In general, if there is a doubt, risk, or chance you are pregnant, take the pill and don’t misuse the pill. It can mess up your hormonal balance.

What Happens If You Take Unwanted 72 During Periods?

Taking Unwanted 72 during your periods can change your hormonal cycle. It is a high-dose hormone pill, and hence, it can disturb your cycle as hormones work in a natural rhythm.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Your current period may change to become lighter or heavier.
• You might even experience spotting after taking the pill.
• You can also expect your next period to come earlier or later than when it’s usually due.
• Your cycle can become temporarily irregular.

The above issues are usually temporary and resolve by themselves one or two cycles.  There are no long-term effects of taking the pill during menstrual cycles.

Unwanted 72 Side Effects on Periods

The most common concern is caused by the hormones from the pill and the effect they have on periods, usually caused by the slight increase in hormones.

Some of the most common effects are:

• Irregular bleeding
• Delay of the next period
• Coming on in the next cycle
• Spotting during the cycle

These do happen to be temporary and will likely return to the regular cycle in no time; no intervention necessary! If your period is delayed by more than a week, then a pregnancy test is warranted.

General Side Effects of Unwanted 72

Similar to other hormonal medicines, UNWANTED 72 can cause temporary and mild side effects.

Users should be aware of some of the most common side effects:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue and weakness
• Breast tenderness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Mood changes

These side effects are temporary and are not concerning. If vomiting occurs shortly after taking the tablet, consult your doctor.

Does Unwanted 72 Affect Future Pregnancy?

It’s time to stop believing this major myth.

Unwanted 72 will not impact your future fertility.

Taking the pill, even while on your period, isn’t going to prevent you from being able to get pregnant one day. It also isn’t going to do permanent harm to your reproductive organs.

With that being said, here’s an important key point to remember:

• Using it occasionally is fine.
• Using it frequently should be avoided.

Using emergency contraceptive pills on the reg can screw up your hormonal balance. This will cause irregular cycles and will affect your fertility.

We see this a lot at SCI IVF Hospital. Patients are usually really concerned when they have used emergency pills in the past. Most of the time, their fertility isn’t negatively impacted and we just guide them on how to move forward.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Although Unwanted 72 is relatively harmless, there are specific scenarios when you should visit your doctor:

• Your menstrual cycle is late by more than seven days
• You are experiencing intense stomach pains
• You have excessive bleeding
• You are suffering from continuous nausea

In such instances, a pregnancy test or further examination may become necessary.

Safer Alternatives & Fertility Planning

Emergency contraceptive pills can be helpful in unexpected situations, but they should not be relied upon as a regular birth control method. For better reproductive health and family planning, it is important to consider safer long-term options such as:

• Consistent contraceptive methods (condoms, birth control pills, etc.)
• Tracking your menstrual cycle
• Consulting a fertility specialist for personalized guidance

At SCI IVF Hospital, a trusted fertility center in India, we help women understand their reproductive health, maintain hormonal balance, and make informed decisions about fertility and family planning. Our experts provide personalized care to support both current and future pregnancy goals.

When to Consult a Fertility Specialist?

If you frequently use emergency contraceptive pills or experience irregular menstrual cycles, it may be a good idea to consult a fertility specialist. Seeking expert advice can help identify any underlying hormonal or reproductive health concerns early.

You should consider seeing a fertility specialist if:

• Your periods are irregular or frequently delayed
• You have used emergency contraception multiple times
• You have been trying to conceive without success
• You suspect a hormonal imbalance
• You experience ongoing changes in your menstrual cycle

Early consultation can help you better understand your reproductive health, maintain hormonal balance, and improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy in the future.

Conclusion

Taking Unwanted 72 during your period is generally safe; however, it may be unnecessary. The risk of pregnancy during your period is already low. Unwanted 72 may change your cycles by causing irregular bleeding or by causing a period to be late; however, it will not make you more or less fertile.

Unwanted 72 can be taken at most a few times a year, but it should never be used as a birth control method. Making informed decisions about your cycle and using safe birth control consistently will improve your reproductive health.

If you have any questions about your cycle and the future of your hormonal health and fertility after taking Unwanted 72, please reach out to us. Specialists at SCI IVF Hospital will be able to help you make the best decision about your reproductive health.