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Missed period pills are promoted as a helpful way to start your period if you are late. Period pills are sometimes called menstrual regulation, but they involve a combination of two medications. Missed period pills are ultimately marketed to spur on menstrual bleeding if you are afraid you might be pregnant because you are a few days or weeks late for your period.
If you have missed a period, a variety of online and in-person medical providers offer the period pill combination of misoprostol and mifepristone to promote uterine contractions and menstrual bleeding. Mifepristone is taken first, followed by misoprostol dosed 24 hours later to effectively end a pregnancy without an ultrasound or pregnancy test required. Missed period pills are marketed as a quick, easy, and safe way to bring your menstrual cycle back without the hassle of having to go into a medical clinic.
But before you hop online to get a prescription for these pills, be aware that the risks of using either of these medications are significant. The Food and Drug Administration has issued a black box warning for mifepristone for serious possible risks like infection, heavy bleeding that can lead to hemorrhage, and the possibility of an incomplete abortion or other complications. Misoprostol also has an FDA Black Box Warning because it has been linked to uterine rupture, incomplete abortion, and congenital disabilities. More common side effects of these medications include abdominal pain, diarrhea, low blood pressure, vaginal bleeding, swelling/ edema, heart attack, blood clots, and cervical laceration.
These risks mean that the decision to use missed period pills is complex. That choice is much clearer with the help and guidance of caring medical professionals who can help you determine why your period is late and what next steps to take.
Taking these medications may also be unnecessary if you are not truly pregnant. Completing a pregnancy test is a helpful way to truly understand whether your missed period is due to an early pregnancy, or if another biochemical cause may be the culprit. Having the result of a pregnancy test also helps you decide if any of the risks of using missed period pills outweigh the possible benefits of restarting your period.
Meeting with a medical professional to review your individual health and menstrual history can help you identify if other life factors such as stress, hormonal birth control, thyroid problems, or other health disorders may be the cause of a missed period. Once a pregnancy test is complete, licensed medical professionals can help you determine what next steps are right for you. Ultimately, the decision to take missed period pills is your own choice but be aware that these pills do have a chemical effect on your own health and that they are not without risks. Book a free appointment today to better understand your health situation and your options.
Sources:
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539873/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-is-my-period-late
https://www.wired.com/story/missed-period-pills-menstrual-regulation-how-it-works/
