Some websites promote “period pills” or “make your period come” pills as a way to resume your period if it is later than expected.
If your period is late or you have missed a period, it is important to first understand why your menstrual cycle has stopped. It may be a sign of pregnancy or other conditions needing medical attention.
What is in period pills?
Before you take any pill, it’s important to know what the pill is and what it may do to your body. Typically, what is called a “period pill” is the drug mifepristone, sometimes called the abortion pill. As part of the regimen, a doctor might also prescribe misoprostol, which causes bleeding and contractions to empty the contents of your uterus.
What do period pills do?
When a woman is pregnant, her normal menstrual cycles stop. This is why a late period might be a sign of pregnancy. When you read about taking a “period pill,” it likely refers to taking the abortion pill regimen, which is intended to end a pregnancy and eventually help your body to return to your normal menstrual cycle.
What if I take period pills when I’m NOT pregnant?
If you are not pregnant, you would take unnecessary medical risk by taking the period pill. You could avoid the following side effects by avoiding the pill.
Medications have risks, adverse side effects, and contraindications. If you take “period pills” when you are not pregnant, you still may experience some of the side effects associated with the pills, such as “cramping and vaginal bleeding” or other common side effects like nausea, weakness, fever/chills vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness. You should also consult a medical professional about conditions that may conflict with the period pill, like anemia or other conditions.
If you have taken negative pregnancy tests but still have a period that is a week or more late, medical professionals recommend that you check with your doctor.
What if I take period pills when I AM pregnant?
Period pills are the same as the abortion pill, which is intended to end a pregnancy. This works by depriving the pregnancy of the hormone progesterone which the pregnancy needs to continue. Your provider may also prescribe misoprostol, which causes bleeding and contractions to expel the pregnancy.
Side effects of the period pill include the same as those mentioned earlier – nausea, weakness, fever/chills vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness. There are also conditions you may have that would conflict with the period pill, such as anemia or other health conditions. Consult a medical professional about any conditions you may have prior to obtaining the pill.
If you are pregnant, there are also risks such as excessive bleeding, an incomplete abortion (when there are still contents of the pregnancy in your uterus), and serious infection.
Do I need a pregnancy test and ultrasound first?
Some websites say you do not need to obtain a pregnancy test or ultrasound before you take the period pill. These websites say if you happen to be pregnant, period pills will end the pregnancy and bring your period back.
However, not obtaining a pregnancy test and ultrasound before taking the pill can be dangerous for several reasons.
- The FDA only approves the period pill (mifepristone) up to 10 weeks (or 70 days) of pregnancy. If you do not obtain an ultrasound to determine gestational age, taking the pill could be especially dangerous if you are farther along in your pregnancy than you thought.
- About 1 in every 50 pregnancies is ectopic – meaning the pregnancy has implanted outside the uterus. The FDA specifically says the period pill “will not be effective to terminate an ectopic pregnancy.” If you have a suspected ectopic pregnancy, you would be advised to seek immediate medical attention as it is a very serious and life-threatening condition. This is another reason why it is very important that you obtain an ultrasound before you take the pill.
- During an ultrasound, a medical professional will also check to see if a heartbeat can be detected. If you had a positive pregnancy test and no heartbeat is detected, it may indicate you could naturally miscarry. In this case, the recommendation is to follow up with your physician, and you would avoid taking any unnecessary period pills that could cause unwanted side effects.
What is my next step?
If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and are considering the period pill, you can make an appointment here at Waterleaf Women’s Center for a free pregnancy test and ultrasound. No insurance is required. Our medical professionals can answer your questions or address your concerns with compassionate non-judgmental care.
Call or text Waterleaf confidentially today at 630-360-2256.