How Effective is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill, also known as medication abortion, commonly used by women seeking to end a pregnancy. It’s FDA approved for terminating a pregnancy up to 10 weeks from a woman’s last menstrual period, or LMP. However, as with any medical procedure, understanding the effectiveness and risks of the abortion pill is crucial to making an informed decision.

In this article, we’ll break down how the abortion pill works, its effectiveness and risks, and what to do if it doesn’t work as expected.

How the Abortion Pill Works

The abortion pill works through a two-step process:

1. Step 1: Taking Mifepristone – The first medication, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, the hormone that is essential for pregnancy continuation. Without progesterone, the embryo’s attachment to the uterus is disrupted, leading to its demise over the next few days.
2. Step 2: Taking Misoprostol – 24 to 48 hours later, misoprostol is taken. This medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. This is the part of the process that leads to cramping, bleeding, and the expulsion of the embryo and the pregnancy tissue.

The combination of these two medications is generally, but not 100%, effective in causing complete abortion. Bleeding and cramping is to be expected as the body expels the embryo and the contents of the uterus. If you are concerned that the pill didn’t work, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider immediately.

How Effective is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill can be effective when used correctly. The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is approximately 93-98% effective in terminating a pregnancy when used within the first 10 weeks from a woman’s LMP.^1,2

Note that it is NOT 100% effective. This means that the woman may still be carrying an intact viable pregnancy, or, have an incomplete abortion with the need for prompt care. Effectiveness can vary based on several factors, including how far along the pregnancy is, if the medication is taken as prescribed, and certain health conditions.

How Effective is the Abortion Pill at Different Stages of Pregnancy?

The FDA approved protocol limits taking the abortion pill beyond 10 weeks. The further along you are in your pregnancy, the less effective the abortion pill becomes. This puts you at greater risk for complications, such as an incomplete abortion.

Here’s a breakdown of the effectiveness of the abortion pill at different stages:³

• Pregnancies less than 49 days (under 7 weeks from a woman’s LMP): At this stage, the success rate (completed abortion) is close to 98%.
• Pregnancies up to 70 days (10 weeks LMP): By 10 weeks from the LMP, the effectiveness decreases to 92.7%. There is a higher risk of failed or incomplete abortion needing additional medical intervention.

If the abortion pill fails or doesn’t work as expected, you may need emergency surgery to complete the procedure.

What You Need to Do Before Taking the Abortion Pill

Before taking the abortion pill, it’s crucial to receive an ultrasound and to make sure you understand the risks and side effects.

Receive an Ultrasound

As mentioned earlier, the abortion pill is only FDA-approved up to 10 weeks from a woman’s last menstrual period. Before taking the abortion pill, you need to know how far along you are. The most accurate way to figure this out is to receive an ultrasound.

An ultrasound also shows if there is a viable pregnancy inside the uterus. This is important information because of the risk of miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies form outside the uterus and can be life-threatening and are not removed by the abortion pills. In either case, abortion is no longer an option to consider, and you can move forward with the appropriate medical care.

Pregnancy Decision Line can connect you with a local pregnancy center that provides free, confidential ultrasounds. Give us a call at 866-406-9327 to get started.

Understand the Risks and Side Effects of the Abortion Pill

Effectiveness is not the only factor to consider. Like any medical procedure, the abortion pill does have risks and side effects that you need to be aware of. A recent insurance-based study noted that the actual risks are much higher than the FDA originally stated. This study noted that the risk of serious adverse events and complications is not 0.5%, but over 10%.⁴ This is a dramatic difference, one that will affect many women.

Common side effects include⁵:

• Bleeding that typically lasts 9-16 days
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• Fever
• Abdominal cramping

Serious adverse reactions following the abortion pill include:

• Hemorrhaging. It’s normal to bleed for a while after taking the abortion pill. However, heavy bleeding known as hemorrhaging could occur requiring surgical intervention.⁶

• Incomplete abortion. Incomplete abortions occur when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after misoprostol has been taken. Emergency surgery may be needed to remove the remaining tissue and to prevent infection.⁷

• Missed ectopic pregnancy: The standard abortion pill protocol will NOT end an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

• Infection. If you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever for more than 24 hours after taking the second medication, an infection may have developed. You may need antibiotics or even surgery to treat your condition.⁸

• Mental and emotional distress. This includes the unknown psychological impact of “giving oneself an abortion” and seeing fetal parts expelled. Additionally, if a surgical abortion is done due to a failed or incomplete pill abortion, data indicate increased risk of clinical depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and behavior, and symptoms consistent with post traumatic stress.^9,10

What If I’m Too Far Along for the Abortion Pill?

If you find out you are too far along for the abortion pill, we encourage you to explore all of your pregnancy options.

Pregnancy Decision Line is here to answer all of your questions regarding abortion, adoption, and parenting, so you can make a fully informed decision. We provide all the facts on abortion and can connect you with local organizations that provide free resources for those considering parenting or adoption.

Signs the Abortion Pill Didn’t Work

If you’ve already taken the abortion pill, it’s essential to recognize the signs of possible complications, including a failed abortion or an incomplete abortion. Some of the symptoms that could indicate possible complications and or an incomplete abortion include:¹¹

• No bleeding at all after taking the drugs
• Prolonged, heavy bleeding
• Abdominal pain that does not go away a few days after taking Misoprostol
• Fever
• Weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or feeling sick for more than 24 hours after taking mifepristone

If you experience any of these symptoms or have concerns that the abortion pill hasn’t worked, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible or go to the emergency room.

Considering the Abortion Pill? Get the Facts at Pregnancy Decision Line.

The abortion pill is generally effective when taken within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. However, like any medical procedure, the abortion pill is not without risks, and it’s important to be aware of the signs that it may not have worked or if complications arise.

If you’re considering the abortion pill, contact Pregnancy Decision Line. We can connect you with local pregnancy centers that provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and a safe place to ask questions and get answers.

Please be aware that Pregnancy Decision Line does not provide or refer for abortion services.