What Are the Risks of the Abortion Pill?

Are you considering taking the abortion pill? We recommend spending time educating yourself on the side effects and complications you might face when terminating your pregnancy, as well as learning about the important precautions to take before scheduling your appointment. 

What are the common side effects of the abortion pill? 

When taking the abortion pill, you can expect to experience cramping and bleeding as the pregnancy tissue passes from the uterus. In addition to these side effects, you might experience discomfort including nausea, weakness, fever and chills, vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, and dizziness.

What are the risks related to the abortion pill? 

While the abortion pill is typically advertised as a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy, it’s highly important you learn about the severe risks you might face, as well as signs of complications to be aware of following your abortion.

The main risks related to abortion include:

1. Infection and sepsis

Severe infection and septic shock can occur as a result of retained pregnancy tissue or the spreading of an existing infection throughout the body. In most cases, symptoms of infections include sustained fever and intense abdominal pain; however, harmful infections can also be present without any symptoms. 

2. Hemorrhaging and prolonged bleeding

While some bleeding is to be expected, the abortion pill can also be associated with prolonged bleeding and even hemorrhaging, often due to retained fetal tissue.

3. Increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Abortion has been associated with a 23% increased risk of PID in patients who are infected with chlamydia. PID can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and abscesses.1

4. Long-term mental health conditions

The abortion pill has been known to trigger severe mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.2

Who should not take the abortion pill? 

Not advised for women who have anemia, bleeding disorders, liver or kidney disease, seizure disorder, acute inflammatory bowel disease, or use an intrauterine device (IUD).3

Certain blood types can cause complications in future pregnancies.  You should know your blood type.

How do I know if I’m at risk for abortion pill complications? 

In order to have a full picture of your health and the state of your pregnancy, we recommend scheduling an appointment for a no-cost medical consultation at Mendo Lake Women’s Clinic, where you’ll receive pregnancy testing, an ultrasound scan, and more! 

Schedule your appointment today! 

Citations:

1. Westergaard L, Phillipsen T, Scheibel J (1982). “Significance of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease.” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 68(5): 668-90; Ovigstad E, et al. (1983). “Pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection after therapeutic abortion.” Br J Vener Dis, 59: 189-92; Heisterberg L, et al. (1987). “The role of vaginal secretory immunoglobulin a, gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobes, and Chlamydia trachomatis in post abortal pelvic inflammatory disease.” Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 66(2): 99-102.
   
2. Reardon DC. The abortion and mental health controversy: A comprehensive literature review of common ground agreements, disagreements, actionable recommendations, and research opportunities. SAGE open medicine. 2018;6: 1–38. 10.1177/2050312118807624 . [PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]S
3. www.americanpregnancy.org, http://abortionpillrisks.org, www.FDA.gov, https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.110.77230