Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 09 June 2025
Women generally take unwanted 72 during their periods due to the fear of getting pregnant. You might wonder, “Is it possible to get pregnant during periods?” The answer is yes, yet the chances are very minimal. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract during a period. Though the menstrual blood is less hospitable for the sperm, it can still remain viable for 5-7 days. This simply means they can survive through a period blood and make pregnancy possible immediately after a period, especially if your cycle is short.
Because of this concern, many women consider taking unwanted 72 during their periods. The likelihood of pregnancy is okay, but are there any side effects of taking them during periods? Read on to know “what happens if we take unwanted 72 during periods”.
Taking Unwanted 72 (levonorgestrel) during periods is generally safe and harmless. Though it can cause various side effects due to the high hormones in the tablet. The common expected side effects may include:
Yes, you can safely take Unwanted 72 during your period. It is not harmful or toxic. However, the bigger question is: Do you really need it?
Pregnancy risk during the first few days of periods is usually very low, but not zero — especially with short cycles or early ovulation.
This is one of the most common side effects of unwanted 72. The tablet may likely alter your current and upcoming cycle due to the sudden rush of synthetic progesterone. This confuses the natural hormones, causing bleeding or spotting a few days after your period. This is often called breakthrough bleeding, which is usually not a sign of concern. Followed by this disruption, you can expect your periods to be irregular for the next one or two cycles.
While safe, the tablet interferes with the hormones responsible for ovulation and uterine lining thickness. This can result in short-term flow irregularity (lighter or heavier menstrual flow) and subsequent shifting of the ovulation and period timing.
The artificial hormones in the tablet can also cause the uterine lining to shed irregularly or prematurely. This can lead to continued bleeding for almost 7-10 days, even if you are already on your period. This occurrence is usually a temporary side effect of the hormonal shift. Your cycle would generally return to normal in 2 or 3 months of taking the tablet.
Similar to other days, taking unwanted 72 even during a period can cause certain physical discomforts. These are often believed to be resolved within 1-2 days on their own without any medical interventions. The common ones may include:
Unwanted 72 is usually not necessary during periods to prevent pregnancy. Here’s why:
If unprotected intercourse occurs on day 1 or 2 of an average cycle (28 days), the risk of pregnancy is extremely low because there is no viable egg. This makes the pill frequently unnecessary during that time.
Since the chances of pregnancy during menstruation are extremely low, taking them during periods can cause unwanted cycle disruption.
The detailed breakdown of specific scenarios where unwanted 72 is necessary even though you are actively menstruating is as follows:
If you have short (21 days) cycle, considering the unwanted 72 during periods is okay. That’s because women with short cycles usually experience ovulation immediately after their period ends, typically around day 7. This can potentially increase the risk of pregnancy if you have had intercourse while bleeding.
If your cycles are highly irregular, it makes ovulation harder to predict. This can lead to ovulation during or immediately after your period rather than a typical mid-cycle timeframe. Though the scenario is very rare, it is not impossible. In such cases, using emergency contraception like unwanted 72 during periods is safer to avoid pregnancy.
If a condom is broken or you miss multiple daily birth control pills, taking unwanted 72 immediately after the act is highly recommended to prevent pregnancy, even though you are menstruating.
In situations like forced intercourse or sexual assault, it is necessary to take emergency contraception like unwanted 72 to prevent unintended pregnancy – regardless of where the woman is in her menstrual cycle.
Here are the key things you may need to know about unwanted 72 tablet uses, including during menstruation:
It is most effective in preventing unintended pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of sex. The tablet remains effective even during periods.
It can be consumed at any point in the menstrual cycle, although the risk is low during periods.
You can expect changes in your current and next cycle. Unexpected bleeding or spotting may occur in the current cycle, whereas delayed, irregular, prolonged, heavier or lighter bleeding may happen in the following 1 or 2 cycles.
If the tablet is taken right before or during ovulation (usually day 13-15), it can cause the next period to arrive sooner than expected.
It is equally common to notice the next period to be delayed by a week or over several days if the pill is taken after ovulation.
If the tablet is taken in the last week of the cycle, it can make your next period arrive on time. However, the flow can be heavier or last longer than usual.
Several alternatives are available for Unwanted 72. These may range from similar emergency pills to long-term methods. All of which are designed to prevent pregnancy within 3-5 days of unprotected intercourse.
The common unwanted 72 alternatives may include:
| Alternative Method | Active Ingredient | Best Time to Use | Effectiveness | Notes | Potential Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper IUD | Copper (non-hormonal) | Within 5 days (up to 7 days) | >99% effective and works regardless of weight. | It is a device, which has to be inserted into the vagina by a healthcare provider within 5 days of intercourse. | Spotting, longer / heavier periods, and cramping during insertion. |
| i-pill | 1.5mg Levonorgestrel | Within 72 hours (best <24h) | 89% effective. It can be even less effective if the body weight is over 75 kgs. | It is an oral emergency contraceptive pill, similar to unwanted 72. | Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, headache, and irregular bleeding. |
| Plan B One-Step | 1.5mg Levonorgestrel | Within 72 hours (best <24h) | 89% effective. It can be even less effective if the body weight is over 75 kgs. | It is also an oral emergency contraceptive pill, similar to unwanted 72. | Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, headache, and irregular bleeding. |
| Ulipristal Acetate (Ella) | 30 mg Ulipristal | Within 5 days (120 hrs) | >99% (Most effective). It can be even less effective if the body weight is over 88 kgs. | It is also an oral pill but widely considered highly effective compared to levonorgestrel, especially if 3-5 days have passed. | Nausea, headache, abdominal pain, dizziness, and fatigue. |
| Combined Oral Contraceptives | Estrogen & Progestin | Up to 120 hrs (5 days) | Usually less effective if taken as emergency contraception. | It is a daily birth control pill, designed to prevent ovulation – not to work after unprotected sex. Though, it serves the purpose of preventing pregnancy if taken properly. | Stronger nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and breast tenderness. |
Note: For women over 75-80 kgs (BMI over 30), healthcare providers usually suggest a copper IUD or Ulipristal Acetate.
While there is no way to ensure zero side effects from taking emergency contraceptives like unwanted 72, you can take the following steps to minimise the discomfort. They may include:
You may have to consult a doctor if you notice any of the following:
If your next period is more than a week late, take a pregnancy test and consult a healthcare provider.
If your menstrual bleeding is extremely heavy than usual, typically soaking two pads in an hour for two consecutive hours, seek medical help. If you also experience other physical discomforts like unbearable abdominal or pelvic pain, see a doctor.
If the symptoms like headache, nausea, or dizziness are persistent and don’t go away after 2 days, consult a doctor.
If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the pill, consult a healthcare provider. They may recommend a replacement dose after analysing your medical history.
If you are using these pills frequently, visit a doctor as they are not intended for regular use.
Taking unwanted 72 during periods is considered safe and effective in preventing pregnancy. It causes no permanent damage to the woman’s reproductive health. However, many healthcare providers claim that it is often unnecessary on day 1-2 days of the cycle unless you have an irregular or short cycle.
Menstrual irregularities and physical discomforts are completely normal with Unwanted 72. In most cases, they simply denote the body recovering from the sudden surge of artificial hormones. If you have any concerns or think you might need personal guidance, book an appointment with our experts at A4 Fertility Centre.
1. Are there any unwanted 72 side effects in future pregnancy?
The answer to the question is no. Unwanted 72 does not cause any side effects in future pregnancy or long-term infertility. That’s because the hormone in the pill leaves the system quickly, not impacting the ability to conceive later.
2. Does unwanted 72 impact my current periods?
The answer to the question is yes. Unwanted 72 can impact both your current and next periods by altering their flow and timing.
3. When we get periods after taking unwanted 72?
The arrival of your next period is typically dependent on where you are in your menstrual cycle while taking unwanted 72.
4. Unwanted 72 side effects how many days?
Common physical side effects like nausea occurred from unwanted 72 can usually last for 1-2 days. However, menstrual cycle irregularities, such as delayed or heavier periods, may last for a cycle or two.
5. What is the maximum delay in periods after taking unwanted 72?
The maximum delay in periods after taking unwanted 72 is by a week (7 days). Though a delay of more than two weeks can also happen. This often necessitates the need for a pregnancy test to confirm the effectiveness of the tablet..
