How it works • Side effects • What to expect • Know your options

Considering the Abortion Pill?

Clear, Honest Facts — Before You Decide.

Before making a decision, learn why confirming your pregnancy, estimating how far along you are, and ruling out an ectopic pregnancy are important steps for your health and safety.

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What this page covers

1 How the abortion pill works

2 Why an ultrasound matters first

3 How far along your pregnancy may be

4 Questions to ask before making a decision

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Abortion Pill Considerations

If you are considering an abortion, an ultrasound will provide confirmation of pregnancy and how far along you are. An at home abortion, also known as the abortion pill, may be something you are considering. It is important to first meet with a medical professional and get all your specific questions answered and discuss the options. Meeting in person with a medical professional is the only way to truly determine your gestation age (how many weeks), as well as rule out the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy and confirm the pregnancy is indeed viable. This is all critical information for you to have for your health and safety before taking the abortion pill medication.

There are many questions about the abortion pill like “How does the abortion pill work?”,” Is the abortion pill truly effective?”, “What happens if the abortion pill doesn’t work?”, “How many pills do I have to take with the abortion pill?”, and more.

Searching online, talking to friends, and an at home pregnancy test can only get you so far.

A medically based, in office medical confirmation of pregnancy is important. During this appointment we can provide you with:

Medical confirmation of your pregnancy
Ultrasound examination
Estimation of how many weeks you are into the pregnancy
Consultation with a medical professional to review your options

The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.

Abortion Pill Side Effects

Knowing the abortion pill side effects ahead of time matters — both so you’re not frightened by what’s expected, and so you know which signs mean you need urgent medical care. Here’s an honest breakdown.

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Bleeding and cramping (expected)

Heavy bleeding and strong cramping are the intended effect of the second medication. Bleeding is often heavier than a period and can include clots.

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Nausea, vomitting, diarrhea (common)

Digestive side effects are common in the hours after taking misoprostol. They usually pass within a day.

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Fever, chills, fatigue (common, short-lived)

A low fever or chills for a few hours is common. A fever lasting more than 24 hours can signal infection and needs medical attention.

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When to seek emergency care

Soaking through two or more pads per hour for two hours, severe abdominal pain, a fever over 100.4°F lasting beyond 24 hours, or foul-smelling discharge can indicate hemorrhage or infection. Seek emergency care immediately if any of these occur.

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Questions

Questions About the Abortion Pill, Answered

Honest answers to the questions most women are afraid to ask out loud. If yours isn’t here, a real person is available right now — no judgment, no pressure either way.

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What is the abortion pill and how does it work?

The abortion pill is a two-drug process used to end an early pregnancy, typically up to 10 weeks. The first medication, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone; the second, misoprostol, taken 24–48 hours later, causes the uterus to contract and empty. Before taking it, it’s medically important to confirm gestational age and that the pregnancy is in the uterus. Find a clinic near you.

What are the side effects of the abortion pill?

Expected effects include heavy bleeding, cramping, nausea, and sometimes fever or chills. Most pass within a day or two. Warning signs that need emergency care include soaking two or more pads per hour for two hours, severe pain, a fever over 100.4°F lasting beyond 24 hours, or foul-smelling discharge. If you experience any of these, seek emergency care right away — you will not be judged for it.

How is a medical abortion done?

According to the official safety guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a medical abortion requires two office visits:

• At the first abortion-provider visit: A woman takes one mifepristone pill, also known by the brand name Mifeprex ®. This pill contains a drug that cuts off the supply of blood and nutrients to the developing embryo.

• 24 to 48 hours later: The woman will take another drug, misoprostol, also called Cytotec ®. This causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo

• Seven to fourteen days later: The woman will have a second visit with her abortion provider to confirm that the abortion is complete.

When can the medical abortion pill be done?

This method of abortion is only approved for use if it’s been 70 days or less since the first day of your last menstrual period. Doctors call this “LMP.” When did your last period begin? How many days has it been since then?

YOU SHOULD KNOW: If an abortion provider doesn’t follow the safety guidelines required by the FDA (and not all do), your health could be at significant risk.

If I have an IUD should I take the abortion pill?

According to the FDA, women should not have a medical abortion if they have an IUD, have problems with adrenal glands, take blood thinners, have a bleeding problem, take certain steroid medications, or have allergies to mifepristone or misoprostol. Abortion pills have been associated with an unusually severe form of infection (Clostridium sordellii) and even death. If you do not have access to emergency medical care in the two weeks after taking the medications, you should not have a pill abortion. Additionally, even when taken as FDA approved (before 10 weeks), drug-induced abortions have four times the risk of complications as first-trimester surgical abortions. This risk increases rapidly with advancing gestational age.

Are there health conditions a woman needs to tell her doctor about?

Yes—a healthcare professional should be made aware of any of these conditions, because a medical abortion is not safe for people who have:

• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• bleeding problems
• anemia
• uncontrolled diabetes
• an IUD in place

SIDE EFFECTS

According to the data collected by Micromedex, here’s what women who’ve taken these medications have experienced:

• headache (up to 44%)
• nausea (43–61%)
• vomiting (18–26%)
• diarrhea (12–40%)
• fatigue (10%)
• cramping & pain (96%)

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Because of the potential for serious health risks, an abortion provider will typically schedule a follow-up visit to evaluate the woman’s health.

What is mifepristone?

Mifepristone (often called RU-486) is an oral medication that blocks the body’s use of progesterone, a hormone necessary to maintain pregnancy.

What is misoprostol?

Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin medication used primarily to prevent stomach ulcers in patients taking NSAIDs, induce labor, and manage early pregnancy loss or abortion.

Is the abortion pill safe?

For most early pregnancies the medication process is considered safe when used under medical supervision, but it does carry risks, and complications — though uncommon — can be serious. Risks increase if you’re further along than 10 weeks or if the pregnancy is ectopic, which is why confirming gestational age and location with an ultrasound first is important. Speaking with a licensed provider before deciding helps you weigh your individual situation.

Do I need an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill?

It’s strongly advised. An ultrasound confirms how far along you are and that the pregnancy is in the uterus — an ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency the abortion pill cannot treat. Find a clinic near you for a free limited obstetrical ultrasound, so you have this essential information before making any decision.

Will my visit or questions be confidential?

Yes. Talking with a clinic is completely confidential. We’re here to give you information and support — the choice is always yours.

Can the abortion pill be reversed if I've already taken it?

If you’ve taken the first pill (mifepristone) but not yet the second (misoprostol), reversal may be possible. The protocol uses progesterone and is most likely to be started within about 72 hours — sooner is better. Call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333, available 24/7. Note that major medical organizations consider the supporting evidence limited, so discuss the benefits and risks with a medical provider, who the hotline can connect you with.

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You don’t have to decide anything right now.

Getting honest information doesn’t commit you to anything. You deserve the full picture — what the abortion pill does, the side effects, and every option you have — before anyone asks you to choose. We’re here for you, not for a particular outcome.

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