Does I-pill cause body pain?

Question

Hello doctor,

My wife’s date for her next period was the first week of last month. I had sex a day before her period, and it was unprotected. I used a withdrawal method to ejaculate outside her body. After sex, she took an I-pill within two hours. It is approximately eight days after taking the I-pill; she did not have any withdrawal bleeding, but she complains of pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, her legs, and arms. She did a home pregnancy urine test yesterday, and today both tests came negative. What should she do now?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Here is a breakdown of what might be going on and what to do next:

What could this mean?

Emergency pill side effects (very likely): I-Pill (emergency contraceptive pill) contains high-dose Levonorgestrel, which can mess with her hormones. Common symptoms are cramps, back pain, body aches, delayed periods, breast tenderness, fatigue, and mood changes. Withdrawal bleeding may or may not happen; not getting it does not mean the pill did not work.
Delayed period (very common after the I-Pill): Her actual period can come within one to three weeks after the I-Pill. It is not unusual for the next period to be delayed by seven to ten days or more.
Pregnancy is unlikely: She took the I-Pill within two hours, which is highly effective. Negative urine pregnancy tests at day seven to eight after sex are encouraging but for full confirmation, best to test again at day 14 to 16 after sex.

What should you do now?

Wait a few more days for her period. It can take time to come after emergency contraception.
If no period after three weeks, do another urine pregnancy test (morning sample) or consult a doctor for a beta-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) blood test, which is more accurate and detects earlier.
For her pain and discomfort, light painkillers like Mefenamic acid or Ibuprofen (if no allergies) can help relieve cramps or body aches. A warm compress on the lower back or abdomen also helps. Rest and hydration are important too.

I hope this has helped you.

Please feel free to reach out to me again if you have further queries.

Thank you.