The abortion pill (or medical abortion) uses drugs to end a pregnancy. Medical abortion is only recommended by the FDA for women through 10 weeks gestation. It’s important to understand the process and the risks before making up your mind. We want to give you the facts to make an informed decision.
What is the Abortion Pill?
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary for the pregnancy’s growth. Without progesterone, the uterine lining will thin, and the pregnancy will end.
Misoprostol, the second drug, causes your uterus to contract, which expels the pregnancy and related tissue from your body.
You’ll always have abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding with the abortion pill. But other side effects can occur, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fever
- Chills
Every medical procedure or process has risks. Abortion pill-related risks are rare, but they can happen. They include:
- Fever
- Infection
- Digestive system discomfort
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- Incomplete abortion (which may require a surgical procedure)
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs don’t work)
Eligibility Factors
If you’re thinking about taking abortion pill drugs, you should speak with a healthcare provider first. They can assess your health and determine whether you are eligible for this type of abortion.
You may be ineligible for the abortion pill if any of the following applies to you:
- Are more than 10 weeks into your pregnancy
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place
- Have a suspected ectopic pregnancy
- Have certain medical conditions. These include bleeding disorders, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, severe liver, kidney, or lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care
- Have an allergy to the drugs used
Understanding Your Options
Learn more about your pregnancy options at Resources for Women. An unplanned pregnancy can be scary, but you are not alone.
Schedule a free pregnancy confirmation appointment to confirm your pregnancy details, and we can help you explore your options from there.
