Emergency contraception from Nurx costs as little as $0 with insurance or $45 per pill without insurance.
Taking an emergency contraceptive like Plan B® or a generic version can cause significant changes to your menstrual cycle that may last several months.
While most women experience temporary disruption, some notice their periods remain irregular for an extended time after taking emergency contraception.
- Your natural hormone levels before taking emergency contraceptive
- The timing of when you took it in your cycle
- Individual hormone sensitivity
- Stress levels and overall health
- Whether you’ve taken emergency contraception multiple times
- Delay or block ovulation
- Change the uterine lining
- Thicken cervical mucus
- Track your periods to spot patterns
- Get 7–9 hours of sleep nightly
- Manage stress (with methods like meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises)
- Exercising moderately (150 minutes per week)
- Eating a balanced diet with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Avoiding over-exercise, which can delay cycles further
What does cycle disruption after Plan B® mean?
Cycle disruption after Plan B® (Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg) emergency contraceptive refers to changes in your normal menstrual pattern, including irregular bleeding, missed periods, or altered cycle length.
This happens because emergency contraceptives like Plan B® and its generic versions deliver a high dose of levonorgestrel, a synthetic hormone that temporarily alters your natural hormone balance. Your period may come earlier or later, be heavier or lighter, or include unexpected spotting.
Can Plan B® change your cycle for months?
Yes, emergency contraceptives like Plan B® and generics can affect your menstrual cycle for several months, although prolonged disruption is less common.
Many women experience changes in their cycle—either in the same cycle they took the pill or sometimes in the following cycle. In most cases, menstrual timing and patterns start to normalize by the second or third cycle afterward. Factors that influence duration include:
Can Plan B® disrupt your period for 2 months or longer?
Emergency contraceptives commonly cause irregularities in the menstrual cycle that persist for 2 months. During this time, you might skip a period entirely or have two periods close together. Your flow may be unusually heavy or light, and you could experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting at unexpected times.
While less frequent, some women do experience cycle disruption for 3 months or even longer after taking Plan B® or generics. This extended irregularity typically affects women who took Plan B® multiple times within a short period or those with underlying hormonal conditions. If your cycle remains irregular after 3 months, consult a healthcare practitioner to rule out other causes.
How long does Plan B® affect your period?
An emergency contraceptive like Plan B® or a generic version can temporarily change your menstrual cycle. The most common effects are seen in the next one or two cycles, such as a period arriving up to a week earlier or later, or a change in flow.
A majority of women will have their next period at the expected time or within a week, but for some, delays beyond a week may happen.
What causes cycle changes after Plan B®?
Emergency contraceptives like Plan B® and generic versions deliver a large dose of synthetic progesterone, which can:
If you already have irregular cycles, emergency contraception like Plan B® or generic versions may amplify those patterns.
What remedies ease cycle disruption?
Several evidence-based approaches can help regulate your cycle after taking Plan B®. Natural remedies and lifestyle changes that support hormone balance include:
What to do if Plan B® changed your cycle
If your cycle hasn’t normalized after several months, consult an in-person healthcare practitioner. They can evaluate whether it’s simply the lingering effects of emergency contraceptives like Plan B®, or if another condition is affecting your cycle.
If you need emergency contraception or you’re looking for more long-term birth control, Nurx offers online consultations where licensed medical providers can prescribe birth control to help regulate your cycles while preventing pregnancy. With discreet delivery and personalized care, you don’t have to manage cycle changes on your own.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon this content for medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to a medical professional.
Levonorgestrel (generic Plan B One-Step®) tablet 1.5 mg, intended to reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex, may cause side effects, including dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, irregular menstruation, breast tenderness, nausea or spotting. If you would like to learn more about Levonorgestrel tablet 1.5 mg, please see product information here. Use as directed.
Individual results may vary.