Take Action and Spotting: What Users Say

• Ano...
• October 14, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "Okay, I promised myself that I would do a review once I started my period to calm some of you ladies who are freaking right now. I took the pill probably about 45 minutes after unprotected sex. A week later I started spotting, so of course, I was freaking out thinking it wasn’t my period. It was very light spotting, but my cramps were AWFUL! I was shaking, they were so bad. The bleeding lasted 5 days, so I was hoping it was my period. A few days later, I experienced every pregnancy symptom in the book.. headaches, nausea, exhaustion, sore boobs/nipples, weight gain, cravings. You name it! It felt like the most stressful few months of my life.. this month I was 6 days late on my period and FINALLY started! This pill does have side effects for some people! Not all.. but! If you take it before 72 hours, I promise it works! You’ll be okay, I promise.❤️"

• Emi...
• June 3, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "Okay, so I also said I was going to write a review if everything went well! I had sex on April 18th around 8 a.m., not to mention my period ended on the 15th of that month. The condom slipped off, so we weren’t sure if cum got inside of me. That day, I got the Take Action pill and took it at 11:45 p.m. I started spotting on the 25th until the 27th, it was slimy, and I had a bunch of clots. I was kinda scared because I started to Google stuff up, and it was a sign of pregnancy, so please don’t Google stuff! I had cramps, and I would get disgusted after I ate most of the time. Also, sometimes headaches. I also started to get really watery discharge. My period was 18 days late! I took a bunch of pregnancy tests from Clear Blue and 1st Response, so I wasn’t sure if the tests were just wrong, I was so paranoid. My period came on May 28th and ended on June 2nd. I also don’t recommend this pill. I've taken Plan B, and it never did this to me, making my period so late!"

• Tar...
• February 10, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "I took this pill within two hours of unprotected sex. Almost exactly 12 hours after taking it, I woke up to terrible cramping in my abdomen. That whole day I had the worst nausea of my life, including vomiting and diarrhea throughout the day. I couldn’t keep any food down. I almost passed out later that night, likely because my blood sugar was so low from not eating all day. I had some spotting about a week later, which was about when my period was supposed to come. However, I have not had a period since. It’s been about two months. I’ve taken pregnancy tests, and they have come back negative. For the last few weeks, I have gotten cramps and some breast tenderness and irrationality that is usually associated with my period, but still no period. Planning to head to the doctor soon. Don’t recommend this pill."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "Now, if you are like me, you're probably reading these comments and freaking out about the side effects. Hopefully, this will help calm some of your nerves. So, on September 30th, I ended up having a drunken hookup with a guy I didn't know that resulted in me not remembering whether or not we used a condom (good job, me). Anyways, you can imagine my stress, right? Ended up buying this pill because Walmart was all out of Plan B and taking it about 18 hours later. I was SO nervous about it not working and about the side effects, but I can honestly say that I didn't really experience anything outside of the usual PMS symptoms (a little bit of cramping, sore boobs, etc.). Not bad at all! Had a little bit of spotting in the days leading up to my period, but overall it came today right on time. Not pregnant!!! So don't worry, ladies, this pill works and it isn't as bad as it may seem online. Don't worry, you will be fine!"

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "I just wanted to come on here and share my experience because reading these reviews really helped ease my anxiety! I had unprotected sex in the very early morning on Nov 1st, 2021, and I took Take Action 26 hours later. I was 2 days away from my ovulation day, and I was so, so worried. About 2 weeks after taking the pill, I started spotting, and it lasted for 3 days, and my mind automatically went to implantation bleeding, BUT a common side effect is spotting a week or two later. My boobs were so sensitive, and I was experiencing back pain and some cramping. My expected period date was 11/18, and I'm just getting it today, 11/22 (it started light in the AM, but it got heavy towards the PM). Ladies, you will be okay! Try not to stress, you might experience some side effects, and your period might be late, but just breathe and let your body adjust to all the hormones! You’ll be okay :)"

• Fir...
• October 22, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "I had my period on September 19th. My boyfriend and I had been drinking and had unprotected sex on the 30th. Right around the start of my ovulation, so I got the Take Action. I normally take My Way if this type of situation occurs because my insurance covers it, but at the time, I was still hungover and didn't call my doctor to send in the prescription. So anyway, I bought Take Action 16 hours after the incident. I started spotting on October 8th, which freaked me out because my period wasn't due until the 16th. I have been bleeding/spotting since. I have taken 5 pregnancy tests over the course of the week, and all have been negative. I even went to Planned Parenthood for a test. They said this is a side effect of the Take Action. I still feel unsure due to all this spotting. My breasts were sore, and I had lots of gas all of a sudden for over a week. I never had any issues with My Way or Plan B in the past. Seeing all these other reviews makes me feel better but still slightly concerned."

• Tor...
• November 22, 2017

For Emergency Contraception "I'm writing to hopefully calm some nerves. Two days after I ended my period, I had protected sex with my partner. While we were careful (he did not ejaculate inside me), we noticed the condom broke. I became frantic and decided to take emergency contraception (Take Action) just to be sure. I took the pill approximately 18 hours after sex. Within the first few days, I had the normal symptoms: spotting, nausea, etc. Within the next few weeks, I began to experience all the symptoms of pregnancy! Mood swings, frequent urination, breast tenderness, and extreme vaginal wetness! I was freaking out! There was absolutely no sign of my period. I took three pregnancy tests, all negative. My period ended up being six weeks late. It was unnerving!"

• Liv...
• November 16, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "My boyfriend and I had unprotected sex on November 7th and 8th. On November 9th, we took Take Action. On November 10th, I started having back cramps similar to back labor, along with extreme irritability and mood swings. On November 15th, I started spotting. I am not due for my period until the 26th! But I assume I am not pregnant since I’m bleeding."

• Mnb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "Took 'Take Action' mere minutes after a mistake with my husband and father of my 4 children. It worked, not pregnant! The reason I gave this a 1 is that in the 3 months since taking this pill I have bled for 41 days!!! FORTY-ONE DAYS!!!! A few of the days I have had spotting, but this time around I have been bleeding for 17 days, and most of them have been EXTREMELY HEAVY! The clots are quite large, breast tenderness and fatigue are also present, not surprised that I am tired since I am bleeding so heavily. Will NEVER make the mistake of taking this or any other emergency contraception again! Had very regular periods up until July 7th when I took this!"

• NJo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "Long-term effects for 2 months. I used this pill in April, every month I’m spotting when my period is usually always 5 days long, combined with cramps. I’ve been so bloated for 2 months, with bad back pain for weeks. I was so tired, couldn’t stay awake. This month I’m much better. I guess I’m trying to see people's experiences from the pill. If you've fallen pregnant from this pill, what were your symptoms before finding out you were pregnant, or how were your symptoms even after taking it? I don’t think I should be having side effects this long. Also, I have frequent urination a lot. This is month 2, and still spotting. According to my calendar, I’m late."

• Awf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "I usually never write reviews, but I felt the need to with this one. I have been freaking out for the past month. I had sex the day after my period ended, and the condom broke, and he had come inside me. I went to the store a few hours after, and they were sold out of Plan B, so I had to resort to Take Action-never again will I be doing this. I will drive around the whole day in search of the brand name pill because Take Action is in no way worth it. I have had breast tenderness, nausea, cramping, headaches, spotting-basically every symptom that also aligns with pregnancy. I finally just now, 45 days later, got my period. I just wanted to let all of you know that Take Action is in absolutely no way worth the stress and pain you have to go through. I have never experienced this with the regular Plan B pill. Yes, it worked, but the pain is in no way worth it. If you are experiencing any of this, I just wanted to let all of you know it's going to be okay!!"

• Liy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "Soooo, I had my period 9/24, my periods never last too long, so I was off on the 28th. I had sex with my boyfriend early morning 10/1 around 3 in the morning. I took the Take Action pill around 11:30 pm 10/2. Had bad cramping within the first 2 hours. The following week, my breasts were very tender. And I had light spotting for one day. I assumed it was a side effect of the pill. The next week, just about every symptom you could think of, I experienced. But I didn't worry because I should have my next period 10/24... Well, here it is 10/31 and not even one sign of a period. Good luck..."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "I had a crazy night and had unprotected sex! I freaked out and decided to take this pill (first time I tried it). I took it maybe 12 hours after. I didn't have any of the side effects until maybe 1 week later and had some spotting, and that is pretty much it. I've taken 3 pregnancy tests, all of them were negative! This thing was a lifesaver because I wasn’t ready to have another child! Take it! It really does work!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2017

For Emergency Contraception "I took this pill about 11 hours after having unprotected sex. I did take it on my 4th day of my period, and the side effects were bad. My period lasted a week, and I did experience spotting right after my period. I was extremely stressed out and scared because a month later, my period didn’t come. I do get my period regularly, and I rarely get my period late. But I heard that the pill and stress can delay your period. So I waited, and my period did come! It was about a week and a half late! So yes, the pill DOES work!"

• ris...
• October 29, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "I had unprotected sex on 10/9. I checked my app and realized I was in my fertile window and 3 days away from my most fertile day. The next day, I bought the pill and took it immediately. I also bought ovulation strips. I used the ovulation test on 10/12; it was positive. On 10/15, I began experiencing breast tenderness and spotting; this came and went for 4 days. I also noticed I was extremely emotional and fatigued; I really felt pregnant. I was expecting my period on 10/26. It is now the 29th, no sign of a period, and the pregnancy test I took last week was negative. Still not sure if the pill worked; I will say I’ve never experienced symptoms like this with Plan B or birth control pills. Obviously, if I do end up being pregnant, it could be the cause of the symptoms mentioned, but personally, I’d advise you ladies to either spend the extra money on Plan B or talk to your doctor about the pills you can get a prescription for as emergency contraception."

• Poo...
• September 6, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "Our condom broke (I am not on birth control), took this 12 hours later. I had brown spotting 1.5 weeks after, which turned into very heavy bleeding with clots and cramps. This was 1.5 weeks earlier than my expected period (I have 32-40 day cycles), but Take Action can cause an early period. I am still having serious bloating and fatigue 1 month after, with occasional mild cramps and sore boobs, but both urine/blood preg tests are negative, so it worked! Side effects are weird and long-lasting, but it’s worth it. Doc says I’m not pregnant! Time for birth control!"

• Meg...
• June 30, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "I am glad I found this site, you ladies have helped ease my fears. I took this pill on a Tuesday and felt absolutely nothing until the following Tuesday. Out of nowhere, I started feeling some cramping, and then I started to spot. I wasn’t quite sure what was happening since my cycle wasn’t due to come for a couple more weeks, so I just knew it couldn’t be my period. After maybe an hour, the blood became heavier to the point I had to use a tampon. I considered going to the ER. I woke up, and from the sight of the tampon, I looked like I was fully on my cycle. I texted my friend about it, and she reminded me I took this pill. This is the first time in my life ever taking one, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I definitely didn’t think I’d get an early full cycle. I didn’t think about the pill because it’s been a week, and I was fine until today, and after reading the reviews, it just confirmed for me what’s going on. I don’t like this because I definitely wasn’t prepared."

• DON...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 25, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "I had a random hookup with a guy, brought condoms to be safe. It wasn’t until after he came inside of me that I realized he had broken the condom on purpose. So of course, I leave pissed off and go to the nearest Walmart, didn’t have enough for Plan B, so I bought this. It worked, didn’t get pregnant, made me spot. But the downside is this completely mucked up my hormones. I haven’t had a period for almost a year. Night sweats, acne (never had acne prior). I still have no sign of a period."

• Blu...
• July 15, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "After a night of dinner and drinking with my boyfriend, we had a slip-up. Nine hours later, I took 'Take Action,' which was nine days before my scheduled period. On day two of taking this pill, I had a terrible headache for six days straight, a little cramping, and one day of my boobs hurting. The day my period should have come, there was nothing. Two days later, I had some spotting, and now my period has begun. It worked. I have never taken an emergency contraceptive before, but who knew I'd be in that position?! Good luck."

• Anonymous
• August 3, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "So, my bf got me this pill, thinking (both of us thinking it's a knockoff brand of Plan B), and my life hasn't been the same since. I took this pill back in May. My period came as usual with no side effects, so yeah, it worked. BUT throughout June, I never got my period, and once July came, on the 15th, I began to spot. I thought my period finally started, but I literally have not stopped spotting!! It's been almost 3 whole weeks of just spotting, and it's getting really annoying!! I really don't recommend this pill! Yeah, it works when it comes to preventing pregnancy, but what it does to your body and your hormones is totally not worth it!!!!"

• Wai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "Still waiting on my period. I took the pill about 30 days ago. I’m 3 days late on my period and experiencing bad period cramps, tender breasts, and spotting. Pretty sure it’s just stress but I’m freakin' out and can’t help it. Never experienced these symptoms before. I hope it’s working and I’m not pregnant."

• ner...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2022

For Emergency Contraception "I'm uncertain, tbh. Late night of 2/19, had unprotected sex, husband fully came in me, and no BC. I was in my predicted fertile window (period started 2/13). Approx 12-14 hours later, I took Take Action (pharmacist recommendation). I’ve only taken Plan B in the past and was on BC previous times but never had symptoms. Take Action - I was very depressed during the first week. 2/25, had spotting, I googled because my period had just ended and read potential pregnancy symptoms or Take Action side effects or early period. Went from spotting to bleeding, has been brownish, pink, red… I’ll think it’s over, but then it gets heavy again. Today is 3/1, and I’m still bleeding… not nearly as heavy as my period, and the heaviest bleeds are consistent. I had mood swings, bloating, some cramping, fatigue, cravings. Nipple tenderness started today. I’m going to take a pregnancy test to ease my mind. Period is predicted for 3/10. I’ll stick to Plan B. Praying for NO long-term hormone imbalances! Will update!"

• dat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "Okay, I promised myself I'd leave a review. So, on Aug 2, I did the deed - no protection. We always use the pull-out method, but this time it was a day after my ovulation, and I was like, crap, no babies for me. So, I took 'Take Action' because, yeah girl... well, she was broke. Anyways, I was scared, really scared, because I started spotting a week before I got my actual period and that's a sign of pregnancy, and I cried all day and night praying to God that I would never ever do it again. Moral of the story, exactly a week later, on the day I was supposed to start, I started. It was super heavy, and I'm cramping, which I never do. So I aren't pregoooo... y'all stay safe out there tho."

• Oh ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "Took hours after sex. The whole week I was having mood swings, cramping, and dizziness. Was fighting for my life. I also started to spot. Had my period 2 weeks ago and will probably start again. This stuff mucks around with your body HARD, though I'm not pregnant, so it did its job, but wow, it beat me up."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "It had been a few months since I had seen my BF, and we had unprotected sex all weekend (Sat & Sun). We had sex more times than I can count. I thought since I was expecting my period in 2-3 days that I wouldn’t get pregnant since the likelihood of pregnancy is very low at that point. Instead of taking the pill immediately on Sunday morning, I decided, why waste money when my period is due to show up? As the days progressed, I started feeling like I was having pregnancy symptoms already, and I don't know if I was just self-sabotaging myself, thinking everything was a symptom. I was expecting my period Tuesday, which is 72 hours from when I first had sex. I was already pushing my luck and went ahead and bought the pill out of fright. Plan B was sold out, which seems to be the case for everyone, and Take Action was fully stocked, so I had to choose that as a last resort. My period didn’t come Tuesday, and I was experiencing symptoms. I started spotting on Thursday. Then my period came later that day. It worked!"