What’s the Difference Between Plan B and the Abortion Pill?

If you want the facts about preventing or terminating a pregnancy, you should know the difference between Plan B and the abortion pill. In this blog, we will clear up any confusion between the two and explain how they work.

With each drug, there are different side effects and risks involved. It’s not as simple as popping a pill and calling it a day. There are serious health risks to consider. Here is what you need to know.

What Is Plan B?

Also known as “the morning-after pill,” Plan B is an over-the-counter medication that prevents pregnancy. This medication can only work if it’s taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It does NOT terminate an already existing pregnancy. 

Plan B prevents a pregnancy from developing after unprotected sex by:

1. Stopping the body from ovulating so an egg is not released
2. Blocking an egg from being fertilized if it is released
3. Preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus 

Side Effects of Plan B

Taking Plan B can cause serious and painful side effects including:

• Pain in the abdomen
• Heavy bleeding
• Nausea
• Exhaustion
• Headaches
• Dizziness

What Is the Abortion Pill?

Also known as medication abortion, the abortion pill terminates a pregnancy through two types of drugs. It’s different from Plan B, as it does not prevent pregnancy, but ends it. 

The first pill, Mifepristone, blocks the womb from absorbing the Progesterone hormone, which stops the embryo or fetus from implanting or growing. The second pill, Misoprostol, causes the uterus to dilate and thin the uterine lining, expelling the pregnancy through the vagina with cramping and bleeding.

Side Effects of the Abortion Pill

There are many side effects to know about before considering taking the abortion pill. Some common side effects include: 

• Digestive system discomfort
• Chills
• Headache
• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Abdominal cramping
• Infection
• Fever

What’s My First Step?

If you are considering the abortion pill, you will first need to confirm a viable pregnancy through lab-quality grade pregnancy testing and ultrasound. To become eligible for the abortion pill, you will need an ultrasound to confirm how far along you are. Only women up to 10 weeks are eligible.

Schedule a no-cost and confidential pregnancy confirmation appointment today to learn more.