The phrase “missed period pill” can make these drugs sound like a simple way to restart a late cycle. However, this term is misleading. In many cases, it refers to the same drugs used in a medical abortion, even when pregnancy has not first been confirmed.

If your period is late, the first step is finding out why. truehealth offers pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds performed by a trained sonographer, so you can gather more information about your pregnancy and health. 

Schedule an appointment today before moving forward.

What Are Missed Period Pills?

“Missed period pill” is not an official medical term. Some have used the term to describe mifepristone and misoprostol, the same two drugs used for a medical abortion.

Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to continue a pregnancy. Misoprostol is taken afterward and causes uterine contractions and vaginal bleeding.

If a pregnancy is present, taking these drugs can end it. They can also cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and headache. Though rare, there’s the risk of complications like infection or incomplete abortion. 

That’s why taking them without first confirming whether you are pregnant can create unnecessary medical uncertainty. What’s more, stress, changes in weight, intense exercise, hormonal changes, thyroid problems, illness, and certain drugs can also affect your menstrual cycle.

Taking abortion drugs before confirming a pregnancy does not tell you what caused the missed period in the first place. If you are considering any drugs meant to induce bleeding after a missed period, confirm your pregnancy and speak to your healthcare provider first.

Why an Ultrasound Matters

A pregnancy test can tell you whether hCG is present, but it cannot answer several important questions.

A limited ultrasound can help determine:

• How far along you are in your pregnancy (gestational age)
• Whether your pregnancy is located inside the uterus
• Whether your pregnancy is viable (developing and has a heartbeat)

Pregnancy location is especially important. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube, and cannot be treated with abortion drugs. It can become life-threatening if it ruptures.

An ultrasound can also help clarify whether a pregnancy has already ended in miscarriage, which may require medical follow-up and monitoring for potential complications. These are all reasons why receiving this scan is crucial before taking any drugs or making decisions. 

We’re Here for You

We know this time can feel especially stressful, so we’re here to provide the answers you need.

Schedule an initial pregnancy testing appointment with truehealth today to get started and determine your eligibility for a limited ultrasound. 

Getting those answers first can help you better understand what is happening and what could come next.

*Truehealth does not provide or refer for abortions.

**All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.