“Simply take a pill, and everything will be fixed.”
This may be one of the many thoughts running through your mind, but unfortunately, it’s not usually that simple. Common side effects of the abortion pill include nausea, fever, and vaginal bleeding.
The Abortion Pill Explained
To understand the side effects of the abortion pill, you first need to know how the process works.
The abortion pill method is another name for a medical abortion, incorporating two different drugs to terminate a viable pregnancy.
Mifepristone is the first abortion pill prescribed, which blocks the uterus from producing progesterone and causes the lining of the uterus to thin.
Next, misoprostol is taken and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina.
Common Side Effects of the Abortion Pill
Mifepristone and misoprostol used in a medical abortion can cause side effects, like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal cramping
Common symptoms that could require medical attention after a medical abortion include:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
It’s important to be aware of these possible side effects before taking the abortion pill so you can receive appropriate, timely medical care if you do experience adverse effects.
Before Taking the Abortion Pill
The most important part of this process is first to determine if you are pregnant.
We start all appointments with a pregnancy test, and if that is positive, we’ll offer a no-cost ultrasound if there are no medical contraindications.
An ultrasound is important to determine if the pregnancy is viable (or if you’ve naturally miscarried), where the pregnancy is located, and how far along you are. All are important factors in evaluating if you are eligible for the abortion pill or not.
Schedule now a no-cost appointment to get started.