Does Taking Oxycodone Affect Menstruation?

10/14/2021

Does Taking Oxycodone Affect Menstruation?

What Is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is a prescription opioid that is in the opiate analgesics category of medications. It may come in the form of a tablet, campsule, liquid solution, or concentrated solution and is available in several brand-name versions (Oxycontin, Oxaydo, Percolone). Oxycodone is used to relieve severe bodily pain that may come from serious diseases such as cancer. It works by changing the way that the brain and nervous system respond to pain.

Since it is such a powerful medication, Oxycodone should only be prescribed when other pain medications are not successful. It is designed for people who are already tolerant to opioids and require pain medication around the clock. Oxycodone is typically effective in relieving pain, but it may also become addictive if misused or taken for an extended period of time. And even if someone uses Oxycodone according to dosage, they may experience negative side effects.

Oxycodone Side Effects

Common side effects of Oxycodone are uncomfortable but do not typically require medical attention. These effects include:

Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Stomach pain
Flushing
Headache
Mood changes

Other side effects, while more rare than the ones listed above, are much more extreme. Someone who experiences the following side effects after taking Oxycodone may want to contact their doctor and maintain open communication about any and all symptoms.

Serious side effects of taking Oxycodone include changes in heartbeat, agitation, hallucinations, sweating, fever, fast heartbeat, confusion, muscle stiffness, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness, dizziness, chest pain, hives, itching, rash, swelling, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, seizures, lightheadedness, decreased sexual desire, and irregular menstruation.

Can Taking Oxycodone Affect Your Period?

One of the rare side effects of oxycodone is irregular menstruation. This means that women who take the medication may experience absent, missed, or irregular periods. Their periods may be off schedule or may vary in heaviness depending on the month.

Women who are prescribed Oxycodone and have an irregular period should call their doctor if they miss 3 or more periods a year, if they get their period more often than every 21 days, if they bleed for more than 7 days in a row, or if they’re bleeding much more heavily than usual.

How to Regulate Your Menstrual Cycle

If you experience irregular periods but it does not bother you or require medical attention, there are many natural ways to regulate your menstrual system on your own at home. After all, irregular periods are a common occurrence that can be caused by things as simple as exercise, IUDs, stress, thyroid conditions, and, of course, oxycodone. Since irregular periods may stem from a variety of causes, there are many ways to get your menstrual cycle back on track.

You may be able to help regulate your period by making lifestyle changes like:

Exercising regularly
Practicing yoga
Maintaining a healthy weight
Consuming ginger & cinnamon
Taking vitamins regularly
Drinking apple cider vinegar

If you have experienced irregular periods due to taking Oxycodone, it’s important to remain transparent with your doctor about all of the symptoms you experience. For more information about Oxycodone’s side effects and to get access to a detox treatment center that can medically detox you from oxycodone, call 267.209.7313.