Deciding what to do in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy is no easy task. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed with worries about what people might think or you just can’t imagine being a mom at this point in your life, it’s important to remember you’re not alone.
As you make a choice for your pregnancy, it’s essential you take time to learn about the options available to you and the pros and cons of each of those options. When it comes to the abortion pill, you’ll want to educate yourself on the various risks and side effects you might encounter when taking the medications.
What is the Abortion Pill and How Does it Work?
Before we go into the side effects and risks related to the abortion pill, we’ll first discuss how the procedure works to end a pregnancy.
The medical abortion process, known as the abortion pill, actually consists of two drugs, Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
Mifepristone is used to block your womb from absorbing the naturally occurring pregnancy hormone called progesterone. Because progesterone is what the pregnancy relies on for nutrients and support, without it the pregnancy will end. After the pregnancy has been terminated, Misoprostol is used to cause contractions and expel the pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
According to the FDA, women are only eligible for the abortion pill within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Are There Side Effects Related to Taking the Abortion Pill?
Yes — there are side effects related to taking the abortion pill. Anyone who takes the abortion pill should expect some level of bleeding and cramping as the fetal tissue is passed from the uterus. In addition to this, women may experience the following side effects:
- Diarrhea
- Fever and chills
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
Are There Health Risks Associated with the Abortion Pill?
Yes — there are some severe health risks related to the abortion pill procedure, including…
- Uterine bleeding and hemorrhaging
- Infections
- Sepsis
- Mental health struggles1
- Increased risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)2
I’m Pregnant — Where Can I Get No-Cost Healthcare?
Before accessing the abortion pill, we recommend scheduling an appointment free of charge at your local pregnancy clinic for important screenings and tests such as lab-quality pregnancy testing, ultrasound scans, STD testing, abortion information, and more!
Not only are our services free of charge, but they’re offered in a safe and judgment-free environment so you’ll leave feeling empowered and confident!
Make an appointment today!
- Broen AN, Moum T, Bødtker AS, Ekeberg O. The course of mental health after miscarriage and induced abortion: a longitudinal, five-year follow-up study. BMC Med. 2005;3:18.
- 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.