Abortion Pill
Learn more about the how the abortion pill works, risks and side effects, and your options.
Considering the abortion pill?
If you are considering taking the abortion pill, you first should know:
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How many weeks your pregnancy has progressed
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The location of your pregnancy.
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Additional medical conditions that could make you ineligible to take the abortion pill
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If you have a viable pregnancy. 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and the abortion pill may not be needed
WISH Medical Women's Health in Idaho and Washington does not provide or refer for the abortion pill, but offers pregnancy testing and ultrasound services at no cost, so you have the information you need to make an
empowered decision.
How the Abortion Pill Works
The Abortion Pill is a standard early abortion method in the United States used for abortions up
to 10 weeks of a woman’s last menstrual period. Though it is referred to as the abortion pill, it
involves a regimen of two drugs taken over the period of several days.
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The first drug (mifepristone) is a medication designed to stop your body’s production of progesterone, a hormone necessary for the development and growth of a gestating embryo during pregnancy.
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The second drug (misoprostol) is a medication used to induce cramping and contractions to expel the contents of the pregnancy from the uterus.
The abortion pill is not always effective; 7% to 10% of people who take the abortion pill may remain pregnant after taking both drugs. Even higher failure rates, along with the risk to your health, increase greatly at or after 10 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion pills are not effective in the case of ectopic pregnancies, where the embryo implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy is a life threatening condition that requires emergency medical attention. It is important to rule one out with an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill. The abortion pill should not be taken if you have an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control.
An ultrasound at WISH Medical Women's Health can determine gestational age, ensure the pregnancy is in the uterus and not ectopic, and determine if the pregnancy is viable.
Ordering Abortion Pills Online
The abortion pill regimen is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in
women up to 10 weeks after the start of their last menstrual period.
The FDA does not recommend abortion pills be purchased online since “The FDA does not have regulatory oversight of prescription medicines from outside the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain; therefore, the FDA cannot ensure the safety, effectiveness, or quality of those medications.”
To learn more about the abortion pill and your pregnancy options, schedule a pregnancy test.
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Ordering Abortion Pills Online
The abortion pill regimen is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in
women up to 10 weeks after the start of their last menstrual period.
The FDA does not recommend abortion pills be purchased online since “The FDA does not have regulatory oversight of prescription medicines from outside the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain; therefore, the FDA cannot ensure the safety, effectiveness, or quality of those medications.”
To learn more about the abortion pill and your pregnancy options, schedule a pregnancy test.
Abortion Pill Symptoms & Side-Effects
Cramping and bleeding are expected when taking the abortion pill. Bleeding may be like a heavy period and can last up to sixteen days, possibly up to thirty days. 1 in 10 women have serious adverse side effects to the abortion pill (mifepristone), including sepsis, infection, and hemorrhaging.
Additional side effects include:
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Fever
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Chills
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Weakness
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Dizziness
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Headache
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Mood swings
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Sadness or grief
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Anxiety or stress
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Fatigue
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Irritability
Abortion Pill Risks & Potential Complications
Like any drug, the abortion pill comes with potential negative complications. Possible complications of the abortion pill can include, but are not limited to:
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Bleeding requiring surgery to stop
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Incomplete/missed abortion
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Unaffected pregnancy
Before taking the abortion pill, it is imperative that you understand the risks, side effects, and possible complications of the abortion pill. Discuss possible risks with a medical professional at WISH Medical Women's Health when you come in for a pregnancy confirmation appointment.
It is also essential that you follow up with your doctor one to two weeks after completing the abortion pill medication regimen to ensure there are no complications present.
Abortion Pill Cost
The cost of administering the abortion pill is typically around $500-$600, but can vary depending
on:
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How many weeks pregnant you are
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The state where the abortion provider is located
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Which abortion pill vendor or clinic administers the abortion pill
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Insurance coverage
An abortion provider typically requires you to undergo additional services to the abortion pill, which could include STD testing and other lab work, an ultrasound, and follow-up appointments. The cost of these services is often bundled into the cost of the abortion pill service. Additionally, any abortion procedure can come with hidden or consequential costs, including taking time off from work for the procedure and recovery, travel expenses if you have to commute to a clinic for a procedure, and potential additional medical expenses in the event of procedure complications.
If you are considering taking the abortion pill, WISH Medical Women's Health can provide you with a free pregnancy test, ultrasound, and pregnancy options consultation. These services come at no cost to you and allow you to know for certain how many weeks pregnant you are, determine the viability of the pregnancy, whether you are eligible to take the abortion pill, and compare the abortion pill with all your pregnancy options to make an informed pregnancy choice.
If You Change Your Mind
If you have taken the first round of the abortion pill and do not want to complete the abortion, abortion pill reversal is possible. Just like the first drug of the abortion pill functions by blocking the production of progesterone, abortion pill reversal functions by administering doses of progesterone to the patient to support the growth and development during pregnancy.
Timing is everything when it comes to successfully reversing the effects of the abortion pill. If you are having second thoughts about completing the abortion pill regimen, contact the abortion pill reversal hotline immediately.