---
title: "Is the \"Missed Period Pill\" a Good Option For Me?"
description: "Learn about the \"missed period pill,\" its risks, and the importance of confirming pregnancy before taking action. Get informed to make the best decision for you."
image: https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Woman%20Contemplating%20Pregnancy%20Test%20in%20Messy%20Bedroom.png
---
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# Is the "Missed Period Pill" a Good Option For Me?
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](https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/make-appointment) could help you avoid unexpected risks and make a decision that's right for your situation.
## **What Is the "Missed Period Pill"?**
The "missed period pill" is a term sometimes used to describe the abortion pill. It refers to two medications (mifepristone and misoprostol) that are used together 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.
#### **Is It Different Than the Abortion Pill?**
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.
#### **Do I Need a Pregnancy Test?**
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](https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/free-pregnancy-tests)is the first step in understanding what's happening.
#### **Is a Positive Pregnancy Test Enough?**
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.](https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/free-ultrasound)
#### **Does the "Missed Period Pill" Work?**
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.
#### **Is The period Pill Safe?**
Like any medication, the abortion pill can cause side effects and carries potential risks.
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](https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/make-appointment)can help identify whether the abortion pill is appropriate for your specific situation.
#### **What Happens If I'm Not Pregnant?**
If you're not pregnant, taking abortion pills won't treat whatever is causing your cycle to be late. 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).
#### **What Happens If I Am Pregnant?**
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.
## **Before Deciding, Get the Full Picture**
When your period is late and you're worried about what a positive test could mean, it's understandable to want an answer as quickly as possible.
But getting more information doesn't mean you've committed to a decision.
It simply gives you a better understanding of what's happening in your body so you can take your next step with more confidence.
At **New Hope Pregnancy Resource Center**, you can receive free services like:
- [Pregnancy testing](https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/free-pregnancy-tests)
- [Ultrasound services](https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/free-ultrasound) after a positive pregnancy test
- [Information that can help you understand](https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/make-appointment) how far along your pregnancy may be
- A chance to ask questions and [talk one-on-one with a Client Advocate](https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/make-appointment)
- [Abortion information](https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/make-appointment) to help you understand what to expect
You don't have to have everything figured out before you reach out. You can start with one question, one appointment, or simply finding out whether you're actually pregnant.
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](https://newhopepregnancycenters.org/make-appointment) and get the information you need to move forward.
###### **Sources**
1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. *Medication Abortion Up to 70 Days of Gestation.*
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. *Ectopic Pregnancy.*
3. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. *Mifepristone (Mifeprex) Information.*
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