Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Effect of hormonal emergency contraception on bleeding patterns.

Anne Webb1, Tara Shochet, Alison Bigrigg

  • 1Abacus Centres for Contraception and Reproductive Health, North Liverpool, Primary Care Trust, Central Abacus, 40-46 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 5SF, England. anne.webb@pct.northliverpool.nhs.uk

Contraception
|February 5, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Spotting after emergency contraception is common and doesn't predict pregnancy. Bleeding patterns are influenced by when the pills were taken, not by spotting itself.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

RNAi Strategies Against Downy Mildews: Insights Into dsRNA Uptake and Silencing.

Molecular plant pathology·2025
Same author

Quantitative analysis of 'virtual' SSP assessment clinics in the NHS bowel cancer screening programme in England.

Journal of public health (Oxford, England)·2025
Same author

Identification of Faba bean genetic loci associated with quantitative resistance to the fungus <i>Botrytis fabae</i>, causal agent of chocolate spot.

Frontiers in plant science·2024
Same author

Effectiveness and safety of misoprostol-only for first-trimester medication abortion: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Contraception·2023
Same author

Corrigendum to "An examination of loss to follow-up and potential bias in outcome ascertainment in a study of direct-to-patient telemedicine abortion in the United States" Contraception, Volume 122, 109996 (June 2023).

Contraception·2023
Same author

Clinical outcomes of medication abortion using misoprostol-only: A retrospective chart review at an abortion provider organization in the United States.

Contraception·2023

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Emergency contraception (EC) use can lead to irregular bleeding patterns.
  • Anxiety is common among women awaiting EC treatment efficacy confirmation.
  • The relationship between post-EC bleeding patterns and treatment outcomes remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between bleeding patterns and treatment outcomes after emergency contraception.
  • To determine if post-EC spotting indicates treatment success or failure.
  • To analyze the influence of bleeding patterns on subsequent menstrual cycles.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of bleeding patterns using data from a large, multicenter emergency contraception efficacy trial.
  • Examination of spotting occurrence in relation to pregnancy and menstrual cycle timing.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Assessment of the impact of spotting on the characteristics of the next menstrual period.

    • Main Results:

    • No significant difference in spotting rates was observed between women who conceived and those who did not after EC use.
    • The timing of EC pill intake influenced the timing of the subsequent menstrual bleed; earlier intake correlated with earlier or on-time bleeds.
    • Spotting occurrence did not affect whether the subsequent menstrual period was lighter or heavier.

    Conclusions:

    • Spotting following emergency contraception is not a reliable indicator of treatment failure or success.
    • The timing of emergency contraception administration is a key factor influencing subsequent menstrual bleeding patterns.
    • Healthcare providers should reassure patients that post-EC spotting is common and not indicative of pregnancy or altered menstrual flow.