How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

Finding out that you are pregnant can be a life-changing experience. You will weigh the pros and cons before deciding your next step. It is quite possible that you may have also thought of having an abortion. It is prudent that you decide without feeling pressured, and you can do that if you understand the risks and benefits of each option.

In case you are contemplating abortion, one of the options in front of you is an abortion pill. Once you know how this pill works and whether it is the right choice for you, you will be able to make the right decision.

Abortion Pill for Medical Abortion

The pill is prescribed only if you’ve discovered your pregnancy 70 days or less since the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). So, if you keep a calendar, you should be able to tell the doctor precisely when your last menstrual period started.

Once the doctor is satisfied with your answer and performs a checkup, you will be provided with two pills and very clear instructions.

The first abortion pill, which goes by the generic name of mifepristone, has a chemical composition that stops the blood supply to the growing fetus; and when this happens, even the nutrients carried in the bloodstream do not reach the embryo.

Then, 24 to 48 hours later, you have to take another pill called misoprostol. This pill causes contractions in the uterus, leading to the expulsion of the embryo. You can expect to bleed or spot anywhere from 9 to 16 days. In some cases, women experience bleeding for up to 30 days.

Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure that you have successfully aborted the embryo.

Abortion Pill Facts

If you have an IUD, anemia, high blood pressure, bleeding problems, heart disease, or uncontrollable diabetes, you should let your doctor know. Using the abortion pill with one of these health conditions can be dangerous for you.

If you do have these issues, your doctor will decide the next course of action, and recommend the best option to terminate your pregnancy.

Also, mifepristone has a few side effects, headaches being the most common. However, women also complain of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, cramping, and abdominal pain.

The Final Word

You should take an abortion pill under the supervision of a licensed and qualified doctor. Do not be tempted to buy it online. In case you experience protracted bleeding, fever with chills, sweating, fainting, and severe abdominal pain, you should rush to the nearest ER as these symptoms occur due to infection or incomplete evacuation of the embryo.