This year, a new term has been making headlines: the “period pill.” Marketed as an alternative to the abortion pill, it promises women a stress-free way to “reset” their cycle if their period is late. A 2022 study published in Contraception found that 42% of women reported being interested in taking it.
But here’s the question: is it really different from the abortion pill? Or is it just abortion, rebranded? And why are women reaching for it in the first place?
The Period Pill
According to the period pills website, period pills are medications you can take if your period is late and you suspect that you are pregnant when you don’t want to be. If this sounds eerily similar to abortion pills, you aren’t wrong.
Period pills consist of misoprostol, either alone or with mifepristone. So, medication-wise, they are the same as the abortion pill. The only difference is that women do not need to take a pregnancy test before using the period pill. This allows them to take the medication without knowing for sure whether they are pregnant.
The period pills website explains that the pill is meant to “alleviate much of this stress and anxiety by enabling people to end a possible unwanted pregnancy right away.” While this may sound like relief, it also means making a major, life-altering decision without full information or support.
Is Ignorance Bliss?
Research suggests that many women see the period pill as an easier, less stressful option. In fact, among the 42% of women who said they would be interested in taking it, two of the reasons listed included “less moral conflict” and “less guilt.” But taking it without knowing for certain if you are pregnant can leave women with even more questions: Did I lose a baby? Did I have an abortion?
One woman on the Period Pills website shared her experience: “Having to go through an abortion can sometimes feel ‘wrong’ for lack of a better word. Right after my abortion, I did feel depressed (not regretful though) … It [the period pill] would be a psychological cushion, in a sense, for those women who may be unsure of their own feelings on abortion, pregnancy, and sexual health in general.”
Her words reveal a more profound truth: women want to escape the very real pain of abortion.
And trying to avoid knowing whether you’ve had one? That kind of uncertainty won’t heal the deeper issue.
The abortion industry sees women in pain because of abortion. And their solution? Not to end the pain at its source, but to help women cope with it while still selling them the very thing that caused the wound in the first place. They don’t value the hearts of women.
Read our blog: Abortion Pill Risks Every Woman Should Know
Why This Is Dangerous
Ordering abortion pills online is already dangerous. Women must be fully informed about their pregnancy before obtaining an abortion. Dr. Karysse Hutson, OB/GYN and Save the Storks’ National Medical Director, explains:
“Ordering abortion pills online without proper medical oversight can be dangerous and, in some cases, life-threatening. Before taking these medications, women need an ultrasound to confirm that the pregnancy is inside the uterus and at a stage appropriate for a medical abortion. Blood type testing is also important to prevent complications that could affect future pregnancies. Skipping these essential steps can put a woman’s health at serious risk.”
Proper care ensures that women are safe, informed, and supported throughout the process. Accessing pills without guidance may seem convenient, but it removes the safety net that only trained healthcare providers can offer. Adding the layer of women being uninformed of whether they are pregnant leads to even more confusion and serious risks.
Read more from Dr. Hutson here.
Help Us Bring Women True Healthcare
True care means being transparent and honest with women about their health. Our mobile medical clinics offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and compassionate support, enabling women to make informed decisions about their pregnancies. When women have the whole picture, they can make informed and powerful decisions for their lives.
With so many women showing interest in a pill that lets them avoid the pain and reality of abortion, it’s clear that deep down, women don’t want to choose abortion. They need support to choose life. You can help us provide that support.
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