“Period Pills”: What They Really Do to Your Body

You may have heard people talk about taking a “period pill.” It sounds simple enough — a pill that makes your period show up on command. But the truth is, there’s no single pill designed just for that. When people say “period pill,” they could be talking about several different medications that affect your cycle in different ways. Let’s clear up what’s really going on.

So…what are people actually talking about?

Depending on who you ask, “period pills” might mean:

• Birth control pills – often used to prevent pregnancy, regulate cycles, or control symptoms such as acne or heavy bleeding 
• Morning-after pill – taken within a few days after unprotected intercourse - delays ovulation, if it has not yet happened
• Abortion pills - end a pregnancy that has already started - approved by the FDA up to 10 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period

How do these pills work in your body?

In order for a pregnancy to occur your body has to release an egg and that egg has to be fertilized. About a week after the egg is fertilized the embryo implants in the uterus where it will spend the next 9 months. 

Typically, women release one egg every month. This is called ovulation. Two weeks after a woman ovulates, if the egg is not fertilized, she will have period.

• Birth control and morning after pills:
  • Prevent an egg from being released OR
  • Prevent an egg from being fertilized OR
  • Prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus
  • Will not terminate a pregnancy that has implanted in the uterus 
• Abortion pills:
  • Block a hormone in the body that is necessary to maintain a pregnancy and promote fetal growth and development 
  • Cause the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy
  • Terminate a pregnancy

Clearing up a big misconception

Sometimes people mistakenly use the phrase “period pill” when they’re actually talking about abortion pills. That’s not accurate. Preventing a pregnancy and ending a pregnancy are two completely different things. Mixing up the terms can cause a lot of confusion, so it's important to know the difference. 

When to check in with a doctor

If your periods are irregular, super painful, or you’re thinking about taking medication to change your cycle or terminate a pregnancy, it’s always a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider first. Sometimes a missed period is just stress — but it can also point to something like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid issues. It's not a good idea to order period pills online, because it is hard to know exactly what you are getting. A doctor can help figure out what’s really going on.

Bottom Line

There isn’t a magical “period pill.” The phrase actually refers to a handful of different medications. It’s always smart to know exactly what you’re taking, what it’s meant to do, and what’s happening with your body.