Because this emergency contraceptive delivers a temporary dose of hormones to delay ovulation, it frequently alters your regular menstrual cycle for that month. This is not a sign of a serious medical problem. However, to give you complete peace of mind, I highly recommend taking a home pregnancy test if your period is more than a week late, or about three weeks after taking the pill.

The i-pill contains levonorgestrel, a strong hormone that prevents pregnancy. Taking two of these pills on consecutive days delivers a high dose of hormones to your body, which very commonly disrupts your natural menstrual cycle and delays your period. Please try not to worry, as this delay is a frequent side effect of the medication. I recommend taking a home pregnancy test if your period is more than a week late, just for your peace of mind. For future contraception, it is best to use regular methods rather than emergency pills.

However, please know that emergency contraception only protects you from the intercourse that occurred before you took it; it does not prevent pregnancy from subsequent unprotected sex. The bleeding you experienced could be a side effect of the hormone rather than your actual period. Because of the later unprotected encounters, there is still a chance of pregnancy. To be absolutely sure, I highly recommend taking a home pregnancy test 21 days after your last unprotected intercourse.

It is very common for the i-pill (levonorgestrel) to delay your next period, sometimes by a week or more, as the hormone temporarily shifts your cycle. While the i-pill is highly effective, no emergency contraceptive is 100% effective, so a very small chance of pregnancy remains. To ease your mind, I recommend taking a home pregnancy test if your period is delayed by more than seven days.

i-pill should be taken after unprotected intercourse, not before. It is most effective when taken as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, and can still work up to 72 hours after sex. i-pill is an emergency contraceptive and should not be used as a regular method of birth control. If you find yourself needing it repeatedly or are unsure about contraception, it is best to consult a doctor for safer and more reliable long-term options.

Taking the i-Pill within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse is generally effective, as it mainly works by delaying or preventing ovulation. However, no emergency contraceptive is 100 per cent reliable, and its effectiveness may be lower if ovulation has already occurred. Your next period may come earlier or later than usual, and temporary changes in bleeding pattern can occur. Monitor your cycle, and if your period is delayed by more than one week, take a home pregnancy test or consult a gynaecologist for further evaluation and guidance.