Before taking any type of drug, it’s important to understand the side effects and risks. The abortion pill is no different. Some side effects of the abortion pill include nausea and a fever.
Though the abortion pill can seem easy, get the facts to know about the potential side effects so you can make a fully-informed decision.
How Does The Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill, also known as medical abortion, is a combination of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. These two abortion drugs work together to terminate an existing pregnancy.
Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which your body needs to support the pregnancy, and then 24-48 hours later, misoprostol is taken. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expels the pregnancy through vaginal bleeding.
What Are the Side Effects & Risks?
As with any medication, there are potential side effects you can experience during a medication abortion. The Mayo Clinic shares the following in addition to vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Along with side effects, taking the abortion pill comes with major risks to your health. According to the Mayo Clinic, these risks include:
- An incomplete abortion, which may require a surgical procedure
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive symptoms such as upset stomach
- Infection
- Fever
Before An Abortion
There are a couple of essential steps to take before an abortion to safeguard your health.
Since the FDA only approves the abortion pill through ten weeks of pregnancy, it’s vital to understand how far along you are with an ultrasound. An ultrasound also alerts you to any potential complications.
Start with a free and confidential pregnancy testing appointment, and we can discuss your next steps. Schedule your appointment today and get the answers you need to make a fully informed choice.