How does Mifepristone 50 mg work?

Mifepristone 200 mg in combination with misoprostol has been used in the Netherlands for more than 20 years for inducing an abortion and treating miscarriages. Research shows that a lower dosage mifepristone can effectively prevent pregnancy.

Mifepristone 50 mg works as a contraceptive in two ways:

• It affects ovulation: o\vulation is necessary to become pregnant. Mifepristone 50mg prevents or delays ovulation.
• It prevents implantation: after ovulation, the ovaries produce the hormone progesterone. Progesterone builds it up mucous membrane in the uterus so that a fertilized egg can implant and a pregnancy can occur. Mifepristone prevents the action of progesterone, causing the uterine lining to change and a pregnancy is not possible/very difficult to occur.

Mifepristone 50 mg changes menstrual periods:
Because mifepristone changes the uterine lining, blood loss during menstruation is reduced. In three out of every four people who use mifepristone 50 mg weekly, their period lasts one day or even less. In a quarter of people, there is no more bleeding during their period after a few months.