The ambiguity of pregnancy can be emotionally and mentally challenging for individuals experiencing a non-progressing pregnancy without their body realizing it.
The concept of period pills, as a form of menstrual regulation to induce a medication abortion, has the potential to expand reproductive options and reshape the conversation surrounding early pregnancy.
Deep dives
Missed period and ambiguous pregnancy
Alison Coffman shares her experience of being a little bit pregnant, where her pregnancy was not progressing but her body had not yet realized it. This ambiguity of pregnancy can be emotionally and mentally challenging. Additionally, she faced frustration with her insurance company, which did not consider her pregnant until a positive ultrasound detected fetal cardiac activity.
The concept of period pills
Wendy Sheldon proposes the idea of period pills as a way to give individuals who do not want to be pregnant the option to bring their period back without the need for a pregnancy test. The concept is to prescribe pills to induce a medication abortion as missed period pills, falling between emergency contraception and abortion on the spectrum of fertility control. This practice of menstrual regulation has existed informally in various countries throughout history.
Resistance and potential impact of period pills
The idea of period pills has faced resistance, including concerns of reinforcing stigma and semantic debates. However, studies have shown significant interest in period pills, with many individuals preferring them over traditional pregnancy tests. Period pills could help individuals avoid the risk of criminalization and regain control over their own fertility. While currently limited in availability, there is potential for period pills to expand reproductive options and reshape the conversation surrounding early pregnancy.