The name makes it sound pretty simple: Take a pill. Get your period. Move on.
But, the "missed period pill" isn't actually a medication designed to start a late period.
The term is sometimes used to describe the abortion pill when it's taken before important details about a potential pregnancy have been confirmed.
If you're considering it because it seems like a quick solution, it's worth understanding what you're taking, how it works, and what you can learn about your specific and unique situation first. A few minutes spent getting the full picture could help you avoid unexpected risks and make a decision that's right for your situation.
The "missed period pill" is another name some organizations use for the abortion pill. It refers to the medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, that are used to end an early pregnancy.
Unlike a medication intended to treat a late period, these medications are designed to end a pregnancy that has already begun. They may be taken after a positive pregnancy test or, in some cases, based primarily on a missed period without first confirming important details about the pregnancy.
That distinction matters. Before taking medication, it can be helpful to know whether you're actually pregnant, how far along you are, and whether the pregnancy is developing inside the uterus.
No.
The "missed period pill" and the abortion pill are the same medications (Mifepristone and Misoprostol). Changing the name doesn't change what the medications are intended to do.
Yes.
Before taking any medication, it's important to confirm whether you're actually pregnant.
A missed period doesn't always mean pregnancy. Stress, illness, hormonal changes, travel, changes in weight or exercise, and certain medical conditions can all affect your cycle.
A pregnancy test is the first step in understanding what's happening.
Not always.
A pregnancy test tells you if you're pregnant. It doesn't tell you: how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is developing normally, or whether it's located inside the uterus.
Those answers matter because they can affect your health and the medical options available to you. That's where an ultrasound can provide information a pregnancy test can't.
Medication abortion is highly effective when used as directed during early pregnancy, but it isn't 100% effective. That's why follow-up care is such an important part of the process.
In some cases:
The pregnancy may continue.
Pregnancy tissue may remain in the uterus.
Additional medication or a procedural abortion may be needed.
Like any medication, the abortion pill has potential risks and side effects.
Most women experience cramping and bleeding, but some require additional medical care because of heavy bleeding, infection, or an incomplete abortion.
Every pregnancy is different.
Understanding your pregnancy before taking medication can help identify whether the abortion pill is appropriate for your specific situation.
If you're not pregnant, taking abortion pills won't treat whatever is causing your missed period. Instead, you'll still be left wondering why your period hasn't started.
Getting answers first can help you avoid taking medication you don't need (after all, these are intense medications).
If you are pregnant, you deserve more information than a positive test result.
Answers to questions like:
How far along am I?
Am I eligible for the abortion pill?
Is the pregnancy developing normally?
What should I expect if I take these medications?
...can't be answered by a home pregnancy test alone. Those answers are unique to your pregnancy.
When you're worried about an unexpected pregnancy, it's understandable to want the fastest solution. But the quickest option isn't always the simplest one.
Taking time to understand your pregnancy doesn't commit you to any decision. It simply gives you information you may not have today.
At Lifeline Pregnancy Resource Center, you can receive:
Reliable pregnancy testing
A limited ultrasound, if medically appropriate
Information about how far along you are
Answers to your questions from a qualified medical professional
A completely confidential, judgment-free appointment
There's no cost to get the facts. No pressure to make a particular decision. Just an opportunity to understand your pregnancy before taking the next step.
Schedule your free, confidential appointment today and get the information you need to move forward.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Medication Abortion Up to 70 Days of Gestation.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ectopic Pregnancy.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Mifepristone (Mifeprex) Information.