If you’ve come across the term “missed period pill” while searching online, you may wonder what that means and how it works.
Before taking any drug under that name, it’s essential to know what it refers to and the risks.
Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Alpha Omega Center if you think you might be pregnant and have questions about your options. We can help you know for sure and protect your health with a no-cost ultrasound.
Behind the Name
“Missed period pill” is not a medical term. It refers to mifepristone and misoprostol, the same two drugs used in the abortion pill. Some sites also call this “menstrual regulation” or “bringing down your period.” Sellers use different terms, but they are the same drugs.
The idea is to take abortion drugs, whether or not you know you’re pregnant, simply because there is a chance of pregnancy. The drugs work like this:
- Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a necessary hormone for a growing pregnancy. Without enough progesterone, the pregnancy will end.
- Misoprostol is taken one to two days later, causing uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy through cramping and vaginal bleeding.
The “missed period pill” approach skips confirming whether a pregnancy exists before the drugs are taken, which can be dangerous.
The Risk of Skipping an Ultrasound
Without an ultrasound, an ectopic pregnancy can go undetected.
Ectopic pregnancies implant outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube, and abortion drugs have no effect on a pregnancy growing there. If the pregnancy continues to develop, it can lead to a rupture and life-threatening internal bleeding. The FDA states that mifepristone should not be taken by anyone with a confirmed or suspected ectopic pregnancy.
Additionally, an ultrasound is the only way to know how far along you are in your pregnancy. Since the abortion pill is only FDA-approved through ten weeks, there are greater risks of complications when taken beyond this timeframe.
Periods Are Missed for Many Reasons
A late or absent period does not confirm pregnancy.
Other causes include stress, weight changes, thyroid irregularities, hormonal imbalances, and anovulation. Taking an abortion drug when pregnancy is unconfirmed does not treat any of these and introduces health risks, along with intense cramping and vaginal bleeding.
It will also leave women wondering about whether they had an abortion or not, which could be a confusing feeling.
What Alpha Omega Center Offers
Alpha Omega Center provides free pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds following a positive pregnancy test result. STI testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and free Well-Woman visits are also available. All services are free and confidential in Slippery Rock and New Castle, PA.
Schedule your free, confidential appointment today. Call or text (724) 698-2689.
Alpha Omega Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.