What is the Missed Period Pill?

September 5th, 2024
by Paulding Pregnancy Services, Registered Nurse

A period once a month (every 28-40 days depending on the person), while it's not always a pleasant experience or a welcome guest, can be a good sign of reproductive health for women.

In contrast, a missed period can often be a cause of concern. It can lead to questions of
Is something wrong? Is this normal? And the most pressing one - Am I pregnant?

A missed period can be caused by a wide variety of things, including certain health conditions and some medications. It can also be a presumptive sign of pregnancy.

We wanted to talk in today's blog about something that is marketed as a solution to missing your period - the Missed Period Pill. It is also referred to as menstrual regulation, bringing down your period, and pushing your period.

What is the missed period pill?

The missed period pill is a medication that is prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. It is typically prescribed to be taken as early as 28 days from the first day of your last period ₍₆₎. This pill causes women to bleed and cramp after taking it, similar to how they would during natural menstruation, supposedly simulating your period ₍₁₎.

What may surprise you, however, is this medication has the same chemical composition and dosage as the abortion pill (also termed Mifepak, RU-486, and plan C). It is composed of two different drug components - mifepristone, which is a progesterone antagonist, and misoprostol, which causes uterine contractions. Both the missed period pill and abortion pill will end a potential pregnancy and potential human life by first cutting off blood supply and nutrients from a developing embryo via mifepristone ₍₂₎ and then by expelling the fetal remains via misoprostol ₍₄₎.

So what is the difference between the missed period pill and abortion pill?

The main difference between the abortion pill and the missed period pill is simply how they are marketed. The missed period pill is advertised to be taken earlier in the menstrual cycle, without knowing whether or not you are pregnant or how far along you may be in pregnancy ₍₅₎. The abortion pill is advertised to be taken when you know you are pregnant and want to intentionally end a pregnancy. They are the same drugs by different names, and for this reason can often cause confusion for women seeking the best option for their reproductive health.

Note: The missed period pill is not the same drug as plan B or other forms of emergency contraception. You can find out more about the composition of emergency contraceptives here.

How do these medications work in my body? What are the risks?

Every woman has the right to informed consent in regards to any medication or procedure she is prescribed or undergoes ₍₇₎.This includes knowing how a prescription drug works in your body, as well as the potential risks. This drug has the capacity to terminate an existing pregnancy, but can also wreak havoc on a woman's body, regardless of whether she is pregnant at the time she takes it. Side effects include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, cramping, and pain. One of the major risks associated with taking this pill is the potential complication of severe bleeding, to the point of requiring blood transfusions. The drug also carries risk of infection, hospitalization, and in severe cases, death ₍₂₎.

Ectopic pregnancy and the missed period pill

Another potential risk associated with these medications is the possibility of the cramping and abdominal pain from the missed period pill masking the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the human embryo does not grow in the uterus, where it is intended to. It instead grows outside of the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. This is a medical emergency and requires quick diagnosis and treatment in order to reduce risk to a woman's life. A woman who has an ectopic pregnancy and takes either the missed period pill or the abortion pill (mifepristone and misoprostol) might not realize until it's too late that she needs to seek emergency care, because the cramping and pain that are expected from the medications are a lot like the symptoms that normally signal to women that something is wrong in the case of ectopic pregnancy ₍₅₎.

Is it safe to get the missed period pill online?

The FDA does not recommend obtaining mifepristone or misoprostol online ₍₅₎. Prescribing providers need to adhere to very specific guidelines and be specially certified to prescribe this medication regimen. The FDA also requires that prescribing providers meet with their patients to inform them of the risks associated with these medications, and provide them with a follow up appointment 7-14 days after these medications are taken₍₃₎.

Unfortunately, when these medications (mifepristone and misoprostol) are prescribed via online presences or tele-health providers, the required follow up appointment is often reduced to a simple online questionnaire about your symptoms as opposed to a true clinical evaluation by an advanced practice provider. It is difficult to validate the credentials or true identity of the provider behind the screen, and to verify that the prescribing provider is following FDA regulations in regards to the prescription of these medications. With the inherent risks associated with mifepristone and misoprostol, having a medical provider physically evaluate you with their own eyes and ears is an important step to ensuring your health and safety are protected and minimizing risk of severe complications.

If I miss my period, what can I do instead of taking the missed period pill?

Because there is more than one potential cause of a missed period, it is important to seek out some form of medical care to help you determine why you have missed your period before deciding to take a medication that may not be warranted, especially if you are not pregnant. You can seek out the care of an OB/GYN, primary care provider, health department, or come in for a free pregnancy test and nurse consultation appointment at a local pregnancy center such as Paulding Pregnancy Services. From there, you can start to determine what is going on and how to make the best decision for your physical body, without jeopardizing your health and wellbeing with unnecessary medication/intervention.

Have further questions about missed periods, pregnancy, medications and the like? We're here to help.

At Paulding Pregnancy Services, we recognize that facing an unexpected pregnancy can be an extremely overwhelming experience, and we want to lessen the stress and allow you to feel confident in your parenting decision. Our nurses and client advocates are here to give you a safe space to ask questions and learn about your options. You can schedule a free appointment here or give us a call at 770-222-6911.

*Paulding Pregnancy Services does not perform or refer for abortion services. PPS does provide options counseling and education in regards to abortion, in additional to medical-grade pregnancy tests, limited obstetric ultrasounds, and insurance and other community resource assistance.

*The information contained in this blog is for educational and informative purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice and care of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.*

Sources:
(1) Missed Period Pills
(2) StatPearls Mifepristone
(3) FDA Mifepristone REMS
(4) FDA Misoprostol Information
(5) FDA Mifepristone Post Market Drug and Safety Information
(6) Science Direct - Exploring Potential Interest in Missed Period Pills in Two US States
(7) CaraFem - Missed Period Pills
(8)Natural Womanhood - What Are Missed Period Pills