What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

Are you considering taking the abortion pill? Before making this decision, it’s crucial to fully understand how the process works and what side effects you might experience. The abortion pill involves two powerful drugs designed to terminate a pregnancy, and like any medical procedure, it comes with side effects.

At Life Line, we believe every woman deserves to be informed about her options and the potential impacts on her body. Here’s what you need to know about the abortion pill and its possible side effects.

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

The abortion pill, also known as a medical abortion, involves two separate drugs that work together to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. Each drug plays a specific role in the process:

• Mifepristone: This drug is taken first. It blocks the hormone progesterone, which is essential for sustaining a pregnancy. 
• Misoprostol: Taken 24–48 hours after mifepristone, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract. These contractions work to expel the pregnancy and related tissue from the uterus.

The abortion pill is only approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestation. Additionally, the process typically requires a follow-up appointment to ensure that the abortion is complete and no tissue remains. Retained tissue can lead to serious complications like infection.

It’s important to note that this process is not without discomfort. The cramping and bleeding caused by misoprostol can be intense. Many women report the pain to be more severe than expected.

Side Effects of the Abortion Pill

While every woman’s experience is unique, the two drugs involved in the abortion pill process can cause a range of side effects. Some of the most common include:

• Upset stomach.
• Vomiting.
• Fever.
• Chills.
• Diarrhea.
• Headache.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:

• Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two consecutive hours.
• Severe pain in the stomach or pelvic area.
• Chills or body aches.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• A fever lasting more than four hours or beginning days after taking misoprostol.
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

Before Scheduling An Abortion

Gathering all the information you need about your health and options is the first step in making any pregnancy decision. At Life Line, we offer free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to help you make an informed choice.

We’re here to provide care, information, and support during this time. Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment and learn more about what’s next.

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