Women who use the plan B drug have noticed a change in their vaginal discharge. Vaginal discharge is a normal activity in most females, but many females never had a vaginal discharge before the usage of Plan B.
So, does plan B cause discharge?
It may or may not cause vaginal discharge. Plan B is a high dose of progestin that strongly alters our hormonal balance. This hormonal impairment can affect the functioning of the cervix and vagina that can result in discharge.
If you want to know all the working and side effects of plan B, keep reading this article.
Table of Content
What is Plan B?
Plan B is a levonorgestrel drug (man-made progestin that works by regulating the hormonal balance that controls the functioning of the female reproductive system including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and cervix) used as birth control pills by females to prevent their pregnancy.
How Can Plan B Be Taken?
Plan B does not work like other birth control pills. It cannot be taken regularly to prevent pregnancy. Plan B drug is actually morning-after pills, refers as emergency contraceptives.
It contains more doses of levonorgestrel hormone. An effective amount of estrogen is present with levonorgestrel hormone in the plan B drug.
It is effective if somebody uses it 2 to 3 days after unprotected sexual activity. As time passes, its effectiveness goes on decreasing. Therefore, it is strictly mentioned that plan B can be used within 2-5 days after sexual exploitation.
How Does Plan B Actually Work?
Progesterone and estrogen are two main components of the Plan B drug. Here we discussed the working of both components separately.
Working of Progesterone
As discussed earlier, Plan B contains synthetic progesterone (progestin) and estrogen. Progesterone primarily works for the maintenance of pregnancy by promoting the growth of the inner lining of the uterus and making it suitable for the implantation of a fertilized egg or embryo. During pregnancy, if a woman is deficient in progesterone, it may cause complications for her
You can say that progesterone is needed for a normal pregnancy and delivery of a female. But what if progesterone is released in a large amount?
A large amount of progesterone can result in the prevention of pregnancy.
As you know, a great amount of progestin is present in Plan B and this progestin is quite similar to natural progesterone and works exactly the same way as progesterone does.
Progestin prevents pregnancy by:
- Changing the hormonal balance of progesterone and estrogen in the body does not allow the egg to ovulate (release of an egg).
- Altering the composition and structure of the mucus of the cervix (It is a way for the sperm to pass through to reach the egg for fertilization) and making it more thick and hard.
This alteration does not allow sperm to pass through it and to find an egg in the female body to form an embryo.
Working of Estrogen:
Some amount of estrogen is also present in Plan B, along with progestin. This hormone is crucial for the normal cycle of menstruation. This is added in Plan B so that, bleeding that occurs due to it can look normal.
The combination of progestin and estrogen also influences the inner lining of the uterus, making it less receptive to implantation.
Does Plan B Cause Discharge?
Not actually, Plan B does not cause any kind of vaginal discharge. A less percentage of discharge can occur, but this is not vaginal discharge. This discharge is actually the mucus of the cervix.
Due to the use of Plan B, the mucus became hard and thick to block the passage of sperm. The changing of mucus in the cervix does not bring any benefits after a few days.
So the body releases this mucus as discharge after some days.
Then, why vaginal discharge occurs?
Vaginal discharge may be due to many other reasons. It may be due
Sexual arousal in the body
When arousal occurs, blood vessels present in the genital area of the female body enlarge as the flow of blood increases at that part. This enlargement may force the fluid to come out of the vagina and cause discharge.
Infection
This may be due to a bacterial infection in the vagina. Due to this fluid is increased in the vagina, so lubrication can occur that prevents the vagina from infection.
Irritation
It may be due to irritation or some kind of inflammation of the vagina. To cure this irritation, the vagina releases more lubricants that can be a cause of the discharge.
Hormonal Change
Vaginal discharge may be due to some kind of hormonal change. During different stages of life, hormones vary widely. When a female is near to ovulating, estrogen increases in the body and affects the vagina to release a bit more fluid. Likely, during stress conditions, more amount of androgen is released, influencing the vagina to release more fluid. This can also be a cause of the vaginal discharge.
Sexual Reason
It may be due to some sexual reasons. For example, the breakage of a condom can cause friction that impacts the vagina badly, causing irritation. As a result of which, vaginal discharge can occur.
Although Plan B is widely used by females as contraceptives and does not have a reason for any vaginal discharge, it has a number of side effects.
Side Effects of Using Plan B
As mentioned, discharge is not a side effect of Plan B. But surely there are some adverse effects of this as well.
The usage of Plan B can cause:
- Alteration in your menstrual cycle. It changes the timing as well as the intensity of menstruation.
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Cramp in genital muscles
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Vomiting
- Headache is like a migraine.
- Hormonal changes that may cause depression, stress, and anxiety
Less commonly, it can cause acne, spots on the skin, hair damage, restlessness, difficulty while sleeping and very rarely blood clotting can occur in blood vessels. It can be a very severe condition and occurs very rarely.
Warnings
Plan B is not like other normal birth control pills. It actually contains a high dose of levonorgestrel. You cannot use them regularly as contraceptives. In order to prevent pregnancy, Plan B is usually prescribed only once after unwanted sex. That’s why it is also called emergency contraceptives.
All other birth control pills are effective and safe to use. But there are many controversies regarding the usage of Plan B just because of its high dose.
FAQs
Is Plan B is an abortion pill?
Answer: No, Plan B cannot be regarded as an abortion pill. It is actually a morning-after pill. Abortion means eating up a fertilized egg. You can say that abortion can occur only if you get pregnant.
While Plan B works to prevent you from pregnancy, it means you can use it only before pregnancy. Once you get pregnant, it is of no use to take Plan B.
Can anyone use Plan B?
Answer: Yes, anybody who has unwanted sex and doesn’t want to get pregnant can use this pill. Its effectiveness varies depending on the weight of the woman using it and the day after which it is used.
How many chances are there not to get pregnant after the use of Plan B?
Answer: Plan B can reduce your chance of getting pregnant from 87 to 93 percent. As it contains a relatively more amount of dose, so can work effectively as a contraceptive.
Does Plan B affect menstruation?
Answer: Yes, Plan B impacts the normal menstrual cycle. It may alter the date of your periods and also influences the flow of bleeding during menstruation.
In what time frame does Plan B work?
Answer: Plan B usually works for at least 24 hours after it is taken. Most doctors prescribe continuing the use of other birth control pills.
How much do I have to cost for the usage of Plan B?
Answer: It typically costs 45 to 70 dollars and is easily available.
Can plan B actually be effective?
Answer: Plan B is very effective if you use it exactly within two days after sexual activity. The longer you wait, the less effective it becomes.
Does being healthy reduce the effectiveness of Plan B?
Answer: Yes, if you weigh between 140 and 150 pounds or above this range, then the effectiveness of Plan B will reduce sharply.
Conclusion
The answer to the most asked question, does Plan B cause discharge, is ‘No’. It can only alter your menstrual cycle and cause some discharge of cervix mucus. This remedy is effective and somehow safe to use. But it can be the cause of many side effects. In general, it does not cause severe side effects.
