ella and Back Pain: What Users Say

• Ell...
• June 21, 2017

For Emergency Contraception "I absolutely know what it feels like to be worried and stressed, so please try your best to stay calm. So anyway, I had unprotected sex, and the next morning I took the morning-after pill, EllaOne (after 13-14 hours). I was probably ovulating at the time I had sex, so I was freaking out so much, you have no idea. I started smoking a lot and eating so little due to stress, and every time I got a cramp here and there, I thought to myself, 'OMG, I must be pregnant.' I got the ClearBlue pregnancy test and tested 6 days before my expected period. Negative! I did a second test 4 days before my expected period. Negative! After doing my second pregnancy test, I happened to get my period a few hours later that day! So of course, relief! The stress was gone! So anyway, I was expecting my second period to come, but it didn't, and I started googling so many things every hour of the day. I was absolutely going psycho, hiding and crying, smoking too much again, eating nothing, and the stress was making me sick. Of course, I googled pregnancy symptoms: lower back pain, cramps, so I went psycho and thought, 'Oh my God, I must be pregnant.' But calm, the exact same symptoms are also due to stress and anxiety! I then did another pregnancy test. Negative! (It would've been about a month and a bit after I had unprotected sex.) I was stress-free for a day, then again, Google screwed with my head and told me that I was basically pregnant when I wasn't! I was still waiting for my period, and it wasn't coming, and then I started getting discharge. It was different textures every day: crumbly, egg white, etc., and then this was followed by brown discharge. I absolutely freaked out, and Google told me that if I had brown discharge, I could be pregnant. I did another pregnancy test (negative), but this wasn't enough for me because I was already gone psycho. So I spoke to the pharmacist, broke down in tears, and told her I was so scared. She said to me that the morning-after pill had so many hormones that can delay or make your period come early. The brown discharge is basically dried blood that couldn't come out. It's because of the morning-after pill playing with your hormones. Two days later, psycho me, I had a doctor's appointment, told her about my story, she did a pregnancy test (negative), and assured me that I was not pregnant and told me the same things that the pharmacist had told me, the brown discharge is due to the pill, and that my period could be irregular for a few months. I was calm for a day. Got home, started googling so many things and I freaked out again, so I had to return to her for a blood test because that is 100% accurate. So anyway, I got my results today, and I am not pregnant! Now I'm going to patiently wait for my next period to arrive! So to the girls out there that don't want to get pregnant and have taken the morning-after pill within the necessary time. Please don't google too many things, it really messed with my head. You are more than likely fine! Good luck!"

• bee...
• January 6, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "So I had UPS on Dec 2nd and took EllaOne about 48 hours after. I was towards the start of my cycle and was due to ovulate in about four days. My next period was due on Dec 27th and it’s pretty regular, so of course I was freaked out when it was late. I came straight to this site to see if it had made other people’s periods late and was reassured to see that it had, but mine was almost 2 weeks late at this point, so I was getting really worried. I took 2 pregnancy tests 3 days apart, but both were negative. This helped calm me down a bit, but I was still just desperate to get my period. I was getting PMS symptoms like cramps, tender breasts, and backache, but as these are also symptoms of early pregnancy, it wasn’t much of a reassurance. Long story short, I got my period this morning and feel like I can breathe again! I hope this can offer a bit of reassurance to someone reading this. Don’t underestimate the power of this pill and how it can affect your cycle. It really does work."

• Sam...
• June 15, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "EllaOne is a hormonal pill. By taking this drug, you are putting hormones into your body to delay ovulation or prevent an egg from implanting. Any drug that is strong enough to do that is strong enough to mess with nature's natural way of regulating a healthy menstrual cycle, so ladies, if your period is late, it's fine! Especially if the pill has worked and your ovulation has been delayed, it's only logical for your period to be late. Even if you find your period is early after taking the pill and the next one is very late, again remember what I said about the hormones, that too is normal. By the second week after I took the pill, I was surer than sure that I was carrying. I had sore boobs, backache, nausea, my period was late, I was moody, and most of all, I was fatigued. This is due to all of those hormones. These symptoms are all part of how the pill works, and sure enough, my period finally came."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2022

For Emergency Contraception "I wanted to submit a review once I had my results to maybe help others in a similar situation. I am overweight, over 250, and took the pill on the 5th day after a contraceptive failure. My cycle is longer at anywhere between 31 days to 44 days at times. I have PCOS. I am diabetic and on Metformin, which has helped me ovulate monthly. All of these factors made me doubt the effectiveness of this pill, but I had to try since our condom broke and I didn’t realize until a few days later. Because this was prescription only and not all pharmacies carry this pill, it was special ordered, which is why I took it on the 5th day. I felt fine the day I took it, but the next day the nausea, back pain, and headaches began. My breasts got bigger and tender, and I was extremely tired. These symptoms persisted for 2 weeks. This pill convinces you that you are pregnant and has delayed my period for over a week. I have done multiple urine tests, all negative, and just got back my blood test negative too."

• RH6...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2023

For Emergency Contraception "I just wanted to comment on my experience with Ella in the hopes that it may bring some comfort to someone. I took this emergency contraceptive pill 11 days into my normal 28-31-day cycle. Initially, I had no adverse side effects, but two weeks later, I started developing bloating, back pain, nausea, swollen and sensitive breasts-the whole lot. I was convinced I was pregnant. My period was late. Three negative pregnancy tests and 30ish days later, my period arrived on day 56 of my cycle. So it worked, but it pushed my cycle back drastically and far more than the one week it suggests."

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2022

For Emergency Contraception "I would like to share my story, maybe I can help someone freaked out like I was. Took Ella within 12 hours of UPS, right before or on the day of my ovulation. I was scared it wouldn't work. First symptom was the complete lack of any mucus. Then, a few days later, ovary cramps, uterus cramps... on and off. I was sure I had implantation. Again, a few days later, tender breasts, nipples, pain in my thighs, feeling bloated, etc. Read everything on the internet, panicked like hell. Then yet a few days later, nausea. By this time, I was going crazy, sure I was pregnant (in a fairly new relationship...). My cervix was way up and soft, creamy mucus appeared. Other symptoms kind of subsided, mood swings, breast tenderness, and backache remained. Took a test a day before the expected period, negative. Then it came on the day it was supposed to. I've never felt more relief in my life! It was a bit shorter than usual, but quite heavy, so I hope I am good. Test today also negative. Will check once more to be sure."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "I used this as a requirement to get an IUD since I had UPS 4 days prior. It delayed my period so badly, I was stressing out so much. My period came 58 days into my cycle with about 2 weeks of back pain, breast pain, cramps, and mood swings. I do not want to go through this again. I really freaked myself out when Google said anything past 7 days was bad news. I was way too nervous to take a pregnancy test, too. If you take this, you will be fine! Your period will come."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "I found this page when I was stressing out, so I wanted to share my experience too. I took this emergency contraceptive pill, Ella, within 13 hours of the accident. According to my period app, it was during my ovulation days. I didn't get any symptoms after taking the pill, I didn't get my period on time. My periods are always on time! When I was 7 days late, I went to buy 2 pregnancy tests to be sure if I was pregnant. As soon as I got home from the pharmacy, I tested negative. 12 days later, I tested again, and I got the same results. I was getting all the symptoms of a pregnant woman: tired, lower back pain, tender breasts, off food, and crazy mood swings! I was so stressed out! Finally, day 14! I got my period! What a relief! This pill works, but it messes your cycle up! I would only recommend using this pill for emergencies! The stress and the symptoms are not worth it! Good luck, guys!"

• ann...
• December 24, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "Worked for me. Had sex with my boyfriend during my 11th day (fertile time). My cycle is 28/29 days long. The condom broke, so everything leaked inside of me. Shocked, called our gynecologist, he told me to have ella one as soon as possible. And I took it within 3 hours of intercourse. So I went to my ob/gyn tomorrow morning, and he saw I wasn't ovulating. 2nd week - stabbing pain in my left ovary (where the ovulation was supposed to occur), back pain, anxiety, huge mood swings, pressure in my lower abdomen, bloating, peeing all the time. I never have these symptoms during PMS, so of course, I thought I was pregnant. 3rd week: same symptoms. The expected period date came and no period. Just a ton of this white/yellow mucus. Then all of a sudden, a week after my expected period date, today, period came. I was so happy I started to cry. Stress delays it even further, and there was lots of it. Stay away from it because it really messes up your cycle."

• Qwe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "I want to share my experience so it too can help someone. Last period start date: 3 Oct. Exposure: 23 Oct. EllaOne taken 21 hours later on 24 Oct. Experienced the most horrific side effects - cramps, back pain, super sensitive to smells, insomnia, waking up at 2 a.m. and constantly feeling sick. My period was to start 31 Oct, but it didn't. A week later, on 7 Nov, took a pregnancy test, it was negative. Tested again week after and again negative. My period was now 2 weeks late, and I was losing my mind, I was praying, drinking ginger cinnamon tea. I was super freaked out, and on 22 Nov, went for a private blood test as you get the results within 24 hours. Thank God it came back negative. Carried on stressing as Nov period also missed on 28 Nov, so drinking turmeric milk and parsley tea, and yesterday started spotting, and today got my period. 61 days after last period. I would never use this again as it was horrific, and EllaOne needs to be honest, it's not a delay of a week!"

• Geo...
• April 23, 2021

For Emergency Contraception "I promised myself that I would write about my experience with this pill when I got my periods. So I had sex and the condom slipped, so I had to take a pill. Before in my life, I took a different kind of emergency pill. But this time in the pharmacy, a girl recommended Ellaone to me, and I bought it. I took the pill the same day when the accident happened. Then, two weeks later, another accident happened, and I decided to take Ellaone again because it was recommended in the instructions. And let me tell you, I will never take this pill. It made me feel like I was 100% pregnant. I felt dizzy, I had pain in my lower back, and one day I woke up from terrible cramping and I thought it was implantation bleeding. I had a lot of white mucus all the time for three weeks. I was depressed, tired, and sleepy all the time. I was sure I was pregnant. This is how this pill makes you feel. Thank God I got my periods after this awful, stressful time, and I was the happiest. Yes, the pill works, but it gives really bad side effects."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2022

For Emergency Contraception "So I had UPS the day after my last period (August 14th), and I took ellaone as a precaution to be safe (August 15th). I had no side effects at all but realized I was a week late out of the blue (around the 22nd of September). I instantly took a pregnancy test, which came out negative, and then 2 days later another, which was also negative. At this point, I was confused, constantly reading up on why this was happening and going completely crazy. I called my GP, and they told me to wait till the start of October for my second period, which still hasn’t come, but I’ve had swollen breasts, lower back pain, the WORST cramps of my life, thinking this was pregnancy symptoms. I took another pregnancy test, again, negative. As much as this product works, the side effects are TERRIBLE, I really don’t recommend it. My anxiety has been through the roof."

• Och...
• December 6, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "I have taken Ella about 3 times in the past 3 years. I had experienced some delay in my period, but nothing more than a couple of days. My last experience was, however, very different. The condom slipped off my husband. I took it within a few hours after the accident, I had begun ovulation. My period was delayed. I took two urine pregnancy tests, one at one week late and the other on the second week being late. I went to see my doctor, and they performed a blood pregnancy test, which was also negative at 15 days late. At 18 days late, I finally started my period. I have had the worst back, upper leg, and cramps that I’ve ever had, but I’m happy to know that Ella worked. I believe what happened was that it must have pushed back my ovulation, therefore made my period about 3 weeks late. Therefore, depending on when you take it in your cycle, it may or may not delay your period. Hopes my experience helps someone."

• Dey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "I took an ella one pill after having unprotected sex, 12 hours after. After only 1 week, I started experiencing headaches, which I never have, bloating, nausea, back pains, sore breasts. I was sweating during the night and couldn’t sleep properly. These symptoms were ongoing for 3 weeks already. I took pregnancy tests, all negative, but my body was acting very weird. I felt I was about to get my period, but it wouldn't come. It was 2 weeks late! So I think I had all the side effects of this medication. It does work, so do not stress about a late period, it does happen!"

• Ell...
• August 22, 2024

For Emergency Contraception "All girls struggling out there - believe in this pill. I took EllaOne after 40 hours from UPS. I was 4 days before ovulation in a fertile window, which freaked me out. After taking the pill, I had no side effects, my period came 4 days late. I made 1 pregnancy test, which was negative. I was never on birth control, and my period is always on time. I was craving junk food, had back pain, and mood swings. But these are usual symptoms before my period. So in general, this pill was really gentle for me. I know that it’s a huge stress to wait for the period, but please be patient and don’t make yourself stress more."

• dai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "I felt the need to write a review because reading these reviews is what kept me from losing my mind. So I took EllaOne 24 hours after unprotected sex (which was stupid) on the 9th day of my cycle. 3/4 hours after taking it, I got the usual side effects. I was dizzy, my muscles hurt, and I felt weak. These symptoms went on for 2 days, which was normal. One week after taking EllaOne, I started feeling back pain, a lot of white discharge (huge amount for a lot of time), diarrhea, abdominal cramps, which drove me crazy; they felt like pregnancy symptoms. My period was late by 2 days. On the first day of my missed period, I was spotting; I freaked out since I literally was having pregnancy symptoms. 1 day later, I got my period. Don't worry, ladies, EllaOne works, but it messes up your cycle, and it has a lot of side effects that can be mistaken for pregnancy symptoms, so don't worry; most likely, you are not pregnant. Stay safe, girls."

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "I just want to share my experience about this pill. I had taken the pill after 18 hours of on and off condoms. After 1 day, I felt so tired, and I can’t even work properly, I just slept as soon as I arrived home. I felt backaches for more than 2 weeks, and I thought I was really pregnant. I got pink spotting, I tried PT every single day and was very scared, but all came out negative. After 21 days, I went to the doctor to get the blood test to check if I’m 100% safe. I didn’t get the result the day after because it was a public holiday and it was closed on the weekend, so I decided to not stress myself out before I got the result. Then I got my period after it 23 days late!!! Can you imagine 23 days? So girls, keep calm. The ellaOne was really effective, it just has lots of side effects to your body once you’ve taken it. I will never ever try this medicine again. Just better to take oral pills or condoms just to make sure. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• March 8, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "I had protected sex on Feb 23rd, but the condom slipped off after, and I felt like some baby-making stuff had gotten on the entrance of my lady parts. I started panicking as my prescription for BC had recently expired, and I had not taken it during that month, plus I had sex in prime ovulation time. I spent the next morning pleading with the doctor to prescribe me Ella since I am 5'5" and 220 lbs, and this pill has been found to be more effective with people who are overweight (I have gotten pregnant with Plan B in the past). I took Ella almost 12 hours after sex and hoped for the best. I didn’t experience any symptoms at first, with the exception of some mild cramping, but after 6-7 days, my breasts became tender and sore, I had nausea, and some lower back pain. I started to seriously worry that I was pregnant. After all that worrying, however, my period finally came today, 3 days before it was due! Hang in there, ladies! This pill worked for me, and hopefully it will work for you too."

• jl1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2017

For Emergency Contraception "Took Ella one 90 hours after unprotected sex. He withdrew, but I was still thinking I should take something. Took with food, no sickness, but for weeks, felt lower back pain, lower pelvic pain, cramps, and tender breasts. Also, acid reflux occasionally, which I never get. Then, of course, my period did not come. Of course, I started panicking and Googling everything under the sun. Today, negative pregnancy test, got period 3 hours later... lol... this pill works, it just makes your period late. I would use it again."

• TS2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "I was so worried about taking this but thought I would share my experience as it seems so different from everyone else's saying they have been late. I took EllaOne less than 12 hours after unprotected sex. It was day 2 of ovulation, so I was so scared it wouldn't work. I threw up about 6 hours after taking it and had extremely bad back pain. The next day, I was back to normal. My period then came 3 days earlier and was heavy and only lasted 3 days."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "So, two days ago I took it again after an incident. Surprising that day, side effects were a lot less, I only had tiredness and abdominal pain. Went to bed, and the next morning was feeling fine. However, as I was going through the second day, I started getting headaches, feeling dizzy, and very hot. I sat down, and during the afternoon, I felt weak, back and leg ache, and abdominal pain. My temperature continued to rise, and I began to feel nauseous. I went to bed to try and sleep it off but got shaky and could not stop the shakes. Even though my head was hot, my body was shaking. I have woken this morning and have a very bad headache and hotness. I am hoping these are the only side effects today. It has alarmed me this pill has hit me worse the second day, and the side effects have continued. The pill does work in preventing pregnancy, but I will never take it again after feeling this way, it scared me too much."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "So I’m just sharing my experience, as reading through these helped me so much. I took Ella One about 10 hours after unprotected sex. The day after, I got mild lower back pain, and that was it! I had no other symptoms, and the back pain was only there for a couple of hours the day after. Seen a lot of reviews saying it messes up your period, but mine was only a day late! Please don’t stress, this pill worked for me, with barely any symptoms!"

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "So I used EllaOne 1 week and 6 days ago. I had unprotected sex on my most fertile day, so I decided to get EllaOne. On the first day, I didn’t experience any symptoms, but a couple of days after, I experienced lots of new symptoms that made me 100% think I was pregnant, and I was worried that the pill failed. I experienced so much bloating, back pain, lightheadedness, sort of sore throat, runny nose at night, night sweats, hot flushes. But I prayed to God last night, and this morning I got my period on time!!"

• Not...
• February 16, 2019

For Emergency Contraception "I wanted to share my experience because having a pregnancy scare is such a horrible time. I spent so many hours online trying to find a forum that I could relate to and give me some confidence about my situation. I had unprotected sex, which was foolish in itself, and then later realized that I had it on my predicted day of ovulation. Cue panic. Got ellaone about twelve hours later, it was pricey (35 euro) but I was desperate and had major anxiety about the whole thing. The side effects became apparent almost immediately for me, and they weren’t fun. I had nausea, extreme fatigue, back pain, cramps, bloating, the lot. These lasted for about four days. I hadn’t felt sick like I had on ellaone for a long time, but fast forward two weeks, and it has all been worth it. My period came today, late by four days, but it’s here, and I have such relief. Ellaone will compromise your cycle, and I think this period is worse than my more recent ones, but ellaone has got your back."

• Ale...
• February 23, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "I took Ella One 3 days after having unprotected sex (1/10/18). Not sure if my partner finished inside me or not, so I took it just to be safe. (I’m 25, and I have never taken any birth control - ever!) I had never taken any E.C. before either, so I was very nervous b/c I didn’t know how my body would react to it! Hours after taking Ella, I felt so tired! The following day, I just wanted a nap after work! I was also moody. Fast forwarding to 2 weeks later: I had on-and-off cramps, lower back pain, a little dizziness, and very sore breasts... I took two pregnancy tests during this long waiting game; both were negative! At that point, I was frustrated and a bit worried despite the negative tests b/c the symptoms were always present, yet no period! Long story short, I got my period today at 4 am; I think about 20 days late (I honestly lost count!!"