Does Plan B cause bloating? (+3 ways to reduce it)
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Does Plan B cause bloating?
Plan B or the “Morning-after pill” does cause bloating in some women. This usually happens within 24-48 hours of taking this birth control medication (1,2). This is one of the most commonly reported side effects of this medication, along with some other menstrual-like symptoms.
This probably happens because of the hormonal action of the pill in your body and it goes away as the hormonal levels start to go back to normal. Plan B is generally safe and well-tolerated, but some other gastrointestinal side effects have also been reported, like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
These symptoms are usually mild and temporary, lasting for a short period of time. It’s important to note that not everyone will experience these side effects, and they tend to resolve on their own without any specific treatment.
What to do if Plan B causes bloating?
Bloating on Plan B is not a concerning side effect and it does start to go away on its own. You may also feel cramps in your lower belly or thighs, with or without nausea.
These symptoms are nothing to be worried about. However, if they persist or your stomach seems unusually large and bloated, reach out to your healthcare provider. Although it is highly unlikely for Plan B to significantly affect you, all women are different and they respond differently to medications.
Some helpful tips to alleviate bloating
To help alleviate bloating, here are some simple tips you can try (3):
- Avoid eating too quickly: Eating too fast can cause you to swallow air, which can contribute to bloating. Take your time to chew your food thoroughly and savour each bite.
- Limit gas-producing foods: Some foods are known to produce more gas in the digestive system, such as beans, lentils, broccoli, cabbage, onions, and carbonated drinks. Reduce your intake of these foods if you notice they make you feel bloated.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water can help prevent constipation, which can contribute to bloating. Aim for at least 8 cups of water per day and avoid excessive consumption of sugary or carbonated drinks.
- Be mindful of food intolerances: Certain individuals may have difficulty digesting certain foods, such as lactose or gluten. If you suspect you have a food intolerance, try eliminating the specific food from your diet for a period of time to see if it improves your symptoms.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help stimulate digestion and reduce bloating. Engage in regular exercise, such as walking or cycling, to support a healthy digestive system.
- Manage stress: Stress can impact digestion and contribute to bloating. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as practising relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in activities you enjoy.
- Consider probiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help promote a healthy gut. They can help in reducing bloating and improving digestion. Probiotics should be used with medications that can affect your gut health, like antibiotics.
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References
1.-
Vrettakos C, Bajaj T. Levonorgestrel. 2023 May 22. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30969559. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539737
2.-
Cleland K, Raymond EG, Westley E, Trussell J. Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Dec;57(4):741-50. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000056. PMID: 25254919; PMCID: PMC4216625. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4216625/
3.-
Serra J. Management of bloating. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2022 Mar;34(3):e14333. doi: 10.1111/nmo.14333. Epub 2022 Feb 10. PMID: 35143108. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35143108/
