Plan B One-Step and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Meg...
• December 15, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "I am leaving a review because two weeks ago I was on here reading reviews just to ease my mind. On December 3rd, went on a second date with a guy, and got a little too drunk. Had sex a couple of times and didn't realize the condom broke and he came inside. It was 2 am so I went first thing the next morning to get Plan B. I took it at 9 am, I checked my period tracker, realized we had sex ON THE DAY I WAS OVULATING. I was panicked as my period is regular, I always get my period on the predicted day, the ovulation predictor is spot on. Next I'm on the internet finding sites that say Plan B doesn't work when you are already ovulating. I decided to trust the pill and wait. I experienced EXTREME fatigue, breast tenderness, dizziness, bloating, food cravings, minor cramping, more stressing, etc. Fast forward to December 15th, lo and behold, Aunt Flo showed up a day early! Trust the process, even a woman who has a very regular cycle was saved by Plan B during ovulation. Good luck!"

• KM5...
• June 6, 2017

For Emergency Contraception "Okay ladies, I have decided to share my experience with Plan B One-Step to hopefully help ease even just a few minds, because I know just how bad this situation sucks and how you are searching high and low for some honest feedback. No matter what I say here, you will still be freaking out for a while and overthinking every little thing you feel within your body. Just try your best to be positive and keep busy. Alright, so here goes the story: On Apr. 9, I had sex with a male partner and the condom broke. We didn't notice until the deed was done. Immediately, I thought 'OMG, we are screwed'. I had finished my last period on Apr. 4 (I was now dangerously close to ovulation). The next morning (approximately 6-7 hours later), we went to the pharmacy to get emergency contraception. I took the pill immediately WITH FOOD. The food part is very important. The pill can make you nauseous, and if you vomit soon after taking it, it obviously will not work. The pill contains very high levels of Levonorgestrel, a synthetic version of the hormone Progestin (aka the pregnancy hormone). When you become pregnant, your body produces high levels of Progestin, which prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg (because you wouldn't want your body to be ovulating while you are already pregnant). So, in a sense, the pill tricks your body into thinking it is pregnant and therefore your ovaries do not release an egg for the sperm that is now inside of you to fertilize. The effectiveness of this all comes down to timing. The pill's job is to temporarily stop ovulation, so if you have already ovulated, the chances of it working are lowered. This doesn't mean you are totally screwed! There isn't much conclusive evidence (that I have been able to find), but it is said that even shortly after ovulation, the pill can help prevent a newly fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine wall. It is important to follow the advice to take the pill within 72 hours of the incident because sperm can live inside of you for approximately 5 days, and the longer you let it go, the closer you get to ovulating, and the better chance those little suckers have of locating your egg! Back to the fact that the pill temporarily stops ovulation. This means that Plan B is NOT an abortion pill! So whether you are worried to take it because you are pro-life or you are thinking it will terminate an established pregnancy, it WILL NOT DO THIS! The pill's job is to take action before the sperm and egg ever meet. Now onto the stuff that will literally exhaust you... The side effects. I'm going to be honest here and tell you that looking up your side effects is going to make you think you are pregnant for sure. Almost every possible side effect of Plan B mimics the signs of pregnancy. You could experience: nausea, abdominal cramping, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and spotting. If you are concerned about any of these side effects, contact your doctor. They will be your best source of support through this. I experienced mild abdominal cramping (like period cramps) the next couple of days after taking the pill and 'spotting' about a week later. The spotting was what concerned me. When I read that you 'may experience some spotting', I thought a light little speck here and there, however for me, it was almost exactly like one of my periods. My periods are generally quite light (lucky, I know) and my 'spotting' was almost the exact same, just slightly lighter and lasted about 3-4 days. It started out fairly bright red and then by the last day turned to a darker red, almost brownish color. I later found out that this is quite normal. Throughout the duration of my worrisome experience, I took 3 home pregnancy tests to help ease my mind a bit. I took one 21 days after the incident, another 6 days later, and then one like 4 weeks after that (just because I was feeling particularly worried that day). All 3 read negative. This helped settle my mind somewhat. Also, a little info that may be a bit TMI, but about 2 weeks after taking the pill I got a yeast infection (see, TMI). On top of worrying about everything else, I now had a painful and embarrassing infection to add to my list! I was freaking out because I wasn't sure what it was at first (painful urination, labia painful to the touch). Upon +++ research on my own, I found out that this is another possible side effect of the pill. The increased hormones in the pill can cause your body to produce an excessive amount of natural yeast. The same thing can happen to women during pregnancy due to the same reason. So if this happens to you, it's uncommon but not unheard of. The biggest worry I had throughout this entire experience was when in the world was I going to get my period?! The pill can and probably will mess with your cycle. It definitely did for me! I'm not sure if it had anything to do with my size, but I'm thinking that it might have. I am fairly petite (115 lbs) and the pill is the same dosage for everyone. I ended up missing an entire period! Talk about going out of mind! Everywhere I read said that the pill could delay your period by a week or so, but nowhere could I find anything about it making you skip an entire period! Just as I was mustering up the plan to make a doctor's appointment, my period arrived! Exactly one month late. Again, I can't stress enough to talk to your doctor if something doesn't seem right! I really hope you found some kind of relief in reading this. There is no sure-shot way to know Plan B has worked unless you get a blood test from your doctor or are graced with your Aunt Flo so do your absolute best not to worry yourself sick. Remember, stress can have an effect on your cycle as well. I found it most helpful to confide what I was going through in one really good, trustworthy friend who helped bring me back to reality when my worry was spinning me out of control. I hope everything works out for you, and you share your experiences with others going through the same, terrifying experience. Good luck and think positive!"

• Ang...
• June 6, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "I just want to ease everyone’s minds that have taken the Plan B while ovulating. I took the Plan B pill and took an ovulation test, and it showed 2 lines on it. So yes, I was ovulating. If you would Google it, it says it does NOT work while ovulating. It did work for me while ovulating, and the condom broke once after he finished, and then the next day he decided not to wear one. So girls, just give it some time to let the medicine do its thing. I ended up feeling some really bad PMS symptoms, though. I felt dizzy, hot flashes, fatigued, tired even if you did absolutely nothing, and some mild cramps. I experienced no breakthrough bleeding or any spotting. My period came only 1 day later than it should have. But while writing this on my period, I am super tired, have a headache, and I’m cramping in the front and on my lower back. This is the worst period I’ve had, but I’d rate a bad period over a baby for right now."

• Ary...
• October 5, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "I finally got my period on Sep 24-Sep 29. The first day was kind of normal. Second day it was very heavy, and the following days the flow went down. It lasted one day less than my normal period, and that got me scared, so I took a prego test Monday, Sep 28, and it came back negative. To this day, I’m still having watery and ovulation-looking discharges, at times I get pain in my lower stomach and dizzy at times. I have a doctor's appointment on Oct 20 to be 100% sure I’m not prego. Thinking of taking a blood test as well. I don’t think I’m prego, it’s just my body reacting to the pill. Good luck, ladies, everything will be alright!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "Trust the pill!! I literally took it around 4 hours after the condom slipped and he came inside. This was a day before my ovulation. The next three days, I had very light pink spotting, and I thought this was ovulation spotting, as I always spot during ovulation, and I freaked out! After a few days, the worst cramps started. Backaches, abdominal pain, dizziness, and my boobs were SORE!! Experienced every single pregnancy symptom for three whole weeks!! The cramps were persistent, and I panicked so, so much! But my period came RIGHT ON TIME!! I’m so, so thankful and happy that it worked! Please don’t make the mistake of searching the internet, it will make you go crazy! Calm down and trust the pill, it works!!"

• Ace...
• November 24, 2014

For Emergency Contraception "I had unprotected sex one night, realizing the next day that a condom was not in the picture. After lightly freaking out, I went to buy the Plan B pill. I've taken it once before, almost 3 years ago, before it was on the shelf. When I took it this time, I had some very noticeable side effects: cramping, stomach pain, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, lack of appetite, but I would go through all of it again if it meant no kids. This pill works, and I would recommend it to anyone."

• Ary...
• September 21, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "First of all, my period is irregular, it mostly comes on day 35 to 40. My last period was on August 1-August 7. I lost my virginity with a friend on August 10 (day 10 of my cycle), and my ovulation was due on August 23 (pretty far). The sex was unprotected, but the guy didn’t cum inside of me. I took Plan B about 4-5 hours after what happened. Two days later, I got a urinary infection, and I took antibiotics for 3 days (I read that it doesn’t affect how Plan B works). I started spotting/bleeding brown and red discharge on August 16-August 21. The bleeding covered a whole panty liner, so I used pads some days. My side effects: dizziness, nausea, cramps, and bloating. My period was expected to come on September 7, but I’m two weeks late. I have taken a lot of pregnancy tests, and all are negative. The dizziness, nausea, and cramps haven't gone away till this day. I had also a lot of white/watery discharge till this day. YOU GOT THIS GIRL!!!"

• Not...
• January 15, 2014

For Emergency Contraception "I took Plan B one hour after unprotected sex. I waited two weeks to get my period, and it was a very stressful wait. On the second week, I began getting weird cramp-like feelings. I was worried I was pregnant. The day before my period arrived, I was extremely nauseous. However, today I woke up, and my period arrived! I was so relieved and happy. Except today, my cramps were SO bad that I actually threw up and was quite dizzy. It's all worth it though, as I was extremely scared for two weeks. If you are reading this, please don't stress! The pill is very effective, and is over 95% effective taken within the first 24 hours."

• Bro...
• June 7, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "I have been pregnant a total of 7 times. I had unprotected sex, and he came inside. I ran straight to the pharmacy once it opened up. So, of course, here I am, first timer, and they would not use insurance, I needed to obtain a prescription. But it was Saturday, and this was an emergency, so no time for BS. I paid $55. I took the pill immediately (8 hours post-oopsie). Day 1 was fine. Day 2 was awful! I was dizzy, nauseous, my breasts hurt, and the medication made me feel extremely depressed. I kept searching “how long do Plan B side effects last.” Their website says 24 hours - yeah right. Today is Day 7 and I started bleeding, like a heavier period, with cramping. I keep reading that this is “uncommon.” I feel dizzy and nauseous. My legs feel like they keep going numb. If I still feel this way in the morning, I will go to the ER. Every day is an anxiety attack over how I’m feeling. Since I’m bleeding, I’m assuming that means it worked."

• nat...
• February 20, 2015

For Emergency Contraception "This pill seriously works. If you were in the same position as me, you're sitting on this website reading the reviews and hoping the pill is working. My boyfriend and I had sex on the 12th when the condom broke. He was able to buy the pill on the 14th, some 50 hours after. I took it ASAP. I was very tired and felt nauseous and dizzy every so often after I took it. I started spotting on the 19th and now it's the 20th, and I just woke up with my period. The 50 dollars spent on buying the pill is much better than risking having a baby."

• Oli...
• December 14, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "I had an accident with my boyfriend on the exact day I was ovulating, according to my period tracker app, and literally drove to the drug store right after to buy Plan B. I took the pill within 20 minutes of the accident happening and immediately had cramping/pressure. I freaked out for 2 weeks straight, even took a few pregnancy tests because I was so scared it didn’t work. 2 weeks after taking it, I got really dizzy throughout the day and had a really bad headache, so my side effects came around 1.5 weeks after taking it, BUT it worked and I got my period on the exact day I was supposed to. Reading these comments helped me calm down, so I figured I would share my experience."

• Sas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "I told myself if this worked, I would share my story. My first time having sex was a nightmare, and my boyfriend accidentally came in me. Not even a day later, we went to take Plan B. For the next two or so weeks, I had sore breasts, dizziness, frequent urination, which I never ever had, and these pregnancy-like symptoms. I was losing it. I spent hours every single day looking up reviews and all this and that. Finally, a few days late, my period came. It was much lighter, which is apparently a side effect of the Plan B. I was still paranoid, so I went to take a test at the hospital, and everything came back okay. Please don't worry yourself. Please don't spend your time looking up all these scary things. Believe and have faith. I wish you all nothing but the absolute best and safety."

• GGa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "Do not take this unless you want to be a moody, unbalanced, hormonal, depressed person. I took this less than 72 hours after unprotected sex, and my period did come, and I’m not pregnant, but anyone with depression or anxiety issues in the past should be leery of what this Plan B can do. It's horrible... just a warning."

• Wor...
• August 22, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "29, 180 lbs, married. This isn’t my first time using Plan B. Maybe a total of 5 times over the past 10 years. I used it this time because my Paragard IUD was removed because it was displaced. I was told I could get one put back in, but because of COVID, it would take longer. I don’t handle hormones well, so the pill wasn’t an option. It had been a month since I heard from my doctor's office, and my husband and I got carried away. I was at the beginning of my fertile window, maybe 2-3 days till actual ovulation. After sex, I went to Target and had taken it within the hour. Four days later, symptoms started with dizziness like motion sickness, cramps, mood swings. Two weeks later, I started pregnancy tests, and all were negative. I got my period 2 days earlier than normal. I do have bad PMS symptoms like fatigue and food cravings, which I typically don’t have. So it worked! I’ll give it an 8/10 because I’m not pregnant, but when I did have adverse symptoms, it was wicked."

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2017

For Emergency Contraception "I'm going to give my whole story because I know when I was reading these reviews that's all I wanted to hear just to comfort me, but in a short version because of the word limit... -Had my period on June 23-26 -Had protected sex, but the condom broke, and my boyfriend came in me on July 3, which was 5 to 6 days before ovulation -Took the pill 30-45 minutes after the incident -I had severe nausea, dizziness, breast tenderness that hurt to the touch, fatigue, and slight cramps for a week and a half -On the second week, July 17, I started bleeding brownish at first that turned into a dark red and bled for 5 days (TMI, I know, I'm sorry), but the pill works! I started a week before my expected period, so don't worry girls, you'll be okay!!!"

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2015

For Emergency Contraception "Condom came off. Took Plan B about 48 hrs later. Was super stressed. About a day before I was supposed to get my period, started having cramps, dizziness, and breast tenderness. Long story short, my period was a day late, but I got it nonetheless. It's terrible when you're so stressed out and thinking you're pregnant. The pill does work. My cramps are terrible, though. I felt the side effects 6-7 days after taking the pill as well."

• Kat...
• February 15, 2014

For Emergency Contraception "I took Plan B after having unprotected sex right after my period ended. He got it for me to ease both our minds. Within a week of taking the pill, I had some side effects, like headaches and dizziness. After 7 days, I received an early period. It was painful, and I had bad cramps. I was worried at first because I had just had my period, but Plan B and you guys' reviews all said bleeding and irregular periods were a common symptom. It really worked! So, no worries if this happens to you! I will suggest no intercourse until you get your next period just in case and a pregnancy test to ease your mind."

• lov...
• January 16, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "So I had unprotected sex on December 29th around 6 pm, and he pulled out. I didn’t trust it, so I took Plan B the next day around 1 pm. I took it on my day of ovulation, and I saw that it said that they may not work during this time, but we will see. A few hours after I took it, I started experiencing minor cramps in my lower stomach, which they said was a symptom. I also experienced dizziness a bit. Well, now it’s been 3 days (January 2nd), and I still experience minor cramps and a bit of back pain. My period cycle is every 26 days, so it’s supposed to come around the 15th of January or a week early or late. I am very scared and nervous. UPDATE: My period came yesterday afternoon, just a day late, guys, don’t stress."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "(Took during ovulation) I got every symptom possible. Sore boobs, nausea, cramps, spotting, dizziness, headache. Symptoms lasted almost two weeks. Thought I was for sure pregnant. Period ended up coming a few days earlier than expected."

• pha...
• June 4, 2013

For Emergency Contraception "Took Plan B One-Step 2 days after sex. Gave me extremely bad cramps, dizziness, light-headedness, very heavy bleeding, and my cycle lasted about 9 days. I should have gotten pregnant, however, I'm not pregnant, and the short-term side effects are nothing compared to pregnancy symptoms and having a baby. And once again, I'm not pregnant!"

• Gem...
• October 3, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "My experience: I have a 28-29 day cycle, had unprotected sex, pulled out but wasn’t 100% sure. This was day 12, and I took the pill about 16 hours after. Did not feel nausea, only dizziness, which went away fairly quickly. The couple of days after, I felt some light ovary cramping and some constipation (weird because I never do). Anyway, I just got my period back with a vengeance 4 days earlier than predicted. Please take these reviews lightly, as these are individual experiences. I thought because I was in my fertile window it wouldn’t have worked, but your fertile window and when the egg actually drops (ovulation day) are different. It’s better safe than sorry, so even if you think you’ve already ovulated, I would suggest taking it!"

• Anonymous
• August 16, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "I had sex a day after my period ended on July 4th, took the pill in less than 24 hours, but let me tell you, never again. Condom is the way to go. When I tell you this messed me up, it did. For the whole month, I felt dizzy, nausea, cramps. I thought I was pregnant for sure, so I took 5 tests, thankful all negative. I was about to go take a blood test since my period was late 2 weeks, but today, the 16th, I finally got my period. Did the pill work? Yes, but it messed up my period and hormones."

• rid...
• October 20, 2015

For Emergency Contraception "My boyfriend and I had protected sex 1 day before my expected period. Unfortunately, the condom broke, and neither of us noticed until after the fact. I took Plan B within the hour, and throughout the next few days, I experienced abdominal cramps, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and loss of appetite. 5 days later, I got my period. The period was different from normal, but I was relieved nonetheless. You're going to read people telling you not to be stressed because it works, if you're anything like me, you are still going to stress either way. Just breathe, it is a waiting game, but once you get your period, it is so worth it."

• Nis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2016

For Emergency Contraception "I had sex with my boyfriend on 3/28, and he didn't pull out, and I freaked out and took a Plan B within 5 hours of the accident. Taking the pill, I was dizzy and had tender breasts and cramps. The 2nd day, my urine was clear with white drops afterward. The 3rd day, I started spotting a little. I was happy to see progress but still was paranoid. The next morning, I had the urge to go to the bathroom, I went, and when I wiped, it was blood-no spots. I looked in the toilet, and it was a lot of blood. So, YES, I got my period today (5 days after Plan B). So excited. IF YOU ARE OVERWEIGHT, DON'T STRESS BECAUSE IT WORKED FOR ME, AND I'M 254 LBS. Take it before 24 hours. Hope this helps."

• Gir...
• July 7, 2014

For Emergency Contraception "It was a heat of the moment thing, and we went unprotected. Not too smart, but it happens. Took Plan B One-Step less than an hour later. Like you, I was anxious and jumped into reading reviews and began the waiting game. The second day I felt dizzy, nauseated, and sleepy, but it didn't kill me. For those wondering, I'm 5'3, 145 lbs, and never took birth control before. Just relax, even if you don't feel it, this is working. Easier said than done, I know. My period came a few days earlier than expected and heavier, but I've never been so happy to see it!"