[cranberrily]

I recently had unprotected sexual intercourse and took a morning after pill within 48 hours. A few days later I started getting pain while urinating, and the colour of the urine was blurry, so I supposed it was cystitis. I went out and got some cranberry pills as I heard they help. After taking the cranberry pills for two days I noticed a small amount of blood on my underwear and supposed that the pills weren't working and the bleeding was because of the cystitis. Today I had a huge amount of blood and so I'm quite worried. My last period was 10 days ago but I do have stomach cramps as if I have a period. Then I read on here that the morning after pills can cause the period to come early, but 10 days really seems like too short. Why is the bleeding occurring and what should I do?

Thanks.

[Worries2Much]

The morning after pill is really a huge dose of the same hormones in a regular birth control pill. If you think logically, the reason the birth control pill works in the first place is that it "tricks" your body into being pregnant and does not allow an egg to be released. When you stop taking the pill for your placebo week at the end of your 28 day cycle, your period automatically starts, flushing out the lining of the uterus as it is not needed when you are not pregnant.

So... Taking the morning after pill should be expected to cause a 'period' as it is intended to "flush out" the uterine lining, along with any possibility that you may be pregnant (a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall for the coming gestation period). Thus the cramping that feels like a period.

As for the blurry urine and burning, sounds like you may have a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Obviously you are sexually active. One of the causes for a UTI can be frequent sex, especially if it is VERY frequent. For this you need to contact your Dr. They also have a test in stores now that will diagnose a UTI, however you still need to see a Dr. because the only cure is an antibiotic. There are several different types of antibiotics and your Dr. has to see your test results in order to determine which antibiotic will combat whatever particular bacteria is causing your infection. For the symptoms in the meantime, there are over the counter medications that will ease symptoms until you can get to the Dr. In my experience cranberry benefits are nil compared to the excruciating pain a UTI can cause.

Hope this helps!