Does Plan B cause frequent urination? (3+ factors that may contribute to 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/
This article will discuss whether Plan B causes frequent urination as a side effect. We will also discuss some factors that may contribute to this side effect and what you should do if you experience frequent urination after taking Plan B.
Does Plan B cause frequent urination?
No, Plan B (Levonorgestrel) does not cause frequent urination. It is not a listed side effect of this medication (1). Plan B primarily works to prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation or interfering with fertilization (2).
Any changes in urination patterns that might occur after taking Plan B could have other potential causes. Women have unique bodies and they can react differently to medications and other situations, like stress, hormonal fluctuations, diet, etc.
If you are experiencing frequent urination after taking Plan B, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional. Your doctor will determine the root cause of your symptoms and will guide you accordingly.
What side effects are common with Plan B?
Plan B, although it does not cause frequent urination, is associated with some side effects. These include (1):
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Spotting
- Heavier or lighter menstrual bleeding
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Mood changes
- Tenderness and pain in breasts
- Dizziness
It is important to note that Plan B may cause severe lower abdomen bleeding which should be reported to a doctor right away. Medications affect people differently and what works for one may not work for another. This is why it’s important to keep a close eye on your side effects.
What factors can affect urination after taking Plan B?
There are some factors that may affect your urination after taking Plan B and these changes might not be directly linked to the medication itself. These factors may include (3):
- Drinking more fluids than usual, including water or caffeinated beverages
- Having a urinary tract infection, which is known for causing frequent urination as an early symptom
- Having emotional stress or anxiety
- Using other medications that could potentially affect urination
- Having any underlying disease, like diabetes or kidney disease
- Being pregnant
These factors can cause frequent urination, which is completely unrelated to the use of Plan B.
What to do if you’re experiencing frequent urination?
Reach out to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing frequent urination after taking Plan B. The medication itself is not known for causing this side effect, but women are different and may have different factors affecting their health.
There could be an underlying cause of your frequent urination, which is why consulting a doctor is important. Your doctor will rule out other possible causes and can come up with the best treatment strategy if any disease is diagnosed.
For this, your provider may recommend some diagnostic tests, especially to rule out diabetes and pregnancy. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other symptoms you might be experiencing along with frequent urination.
This can help your doctor with the diagnosis. It is also worth mentioning that Plan B is an emergency contraceptive pill and should not be used for long-term contraception.
If you don’t have a promising contraception method currently, please discuss this with your doctor as well. Remember, safe and effective use of medications is an important key to achieving your desired therapeutic outcome.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed that Plan B is not associated with frequent urination. We have also discussed some factors that may affect your urination and what you should do if you experience it.
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References
1.-
National Library of Medicine. Levonorgestrel: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a610021.html
2.-
Vrettakos C, Bajaj T. Levonorgestrel. 2023 May 22. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30969559. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539737
3.-
Wrenn K. Dysuria, Frequency, and Urgency. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd ed. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 181. PMID: 21250134. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK291
