Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

Fluid retention is a common side effect of emergency contraception. It can occur due to hormonal changes that take place after taking these medications, which are often composed of high doses of hormones such as levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate. These hormones can lead to changes in fluid balance within the body, sometimes causing mild fluid retention, which is typically short-term and resolves on its own.

The other options present conditions or effects that are not associated with emergency contraception. Increased fertility is not a side effect of emergency contraception, as its primary function is to prevent ovulation and pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Longer menstrual cycles can occur in some individuals as a result of hormonal fluctuations, but this is not as commonly recognized as fluid retention. Permanent sterilization is a surgical procedure and not a side effect of using emergency contraception, which is intended for occasional use rather than permanent alteration of reproductive capability.