This page Includes: Your Pregnancy Situation—Abortion Pill Summary—Abortion Pill Procedure—Risks—Complications—Considerations—Abortion Provider Research—Abortion Reversal—Next Steps—Get Help—Glossary—Citations.

You are probably on this page because you are considering an abortion, due to an unexpected or unplanned pregnancy. You may be feeling emotional and unsure what to do next. You may have many questions. Your feelings and your concerns are important.

Women may have different and sometimes unexpected experiences during and after an abortion – physically, emotionally, and mentally. American Psychological Association (APA) research indicates it is important that women’s varied experiences of abortion be recognized, validated, and understood.¹

Options is here for you. We can help you understand some possible abortion pill experiences you may have. We carefully listen and then walk through the abortion pill details with you to help answer your abortion questions and provide information and resources as you consider your pregnancy options. We respect your right to choose and are sensitive to your need for support and help. All our services and information are FREE.

Medical abortion, commonly referred to as the Abortion Pill (RU-486) is considered a medication abortion, or non-surgical abortion since it uses medications to end a pregnancy. It can also be called an in-home abortion, since it occurs in the patient’s home, not in a medical facility. It is also sometimes described as self-induced abortion, self-managed abortion, or online abortion, although these latter terms are not completely accurate.

The Abortion Pill is a combination of two drugs – mifepristone (Mifeprex) and misoprostol (Cytotec) – designed to induce an abortion and end a pregnancy. It is a multi-step process that needs to be followed carefully, so a licensed medical professional should be involved during the entire process.

This abortion method is available within 10 weeks of the first day of your last menstrual period. However, there are some limitations of certain conditions where a medical abortion should not be used. If a medical abortion is not fully successful, a surgical abortion may be necessary.⁶

The other abortion option is Surgical Abortion, which uses surgery to end a pregnancy.

What it is Not – Morning After Pill / Plan B. The abortion pill is not the same as the “morning after pill,” also called the “Plan B pill” or an “emergency contraceptive.” The abortion pill is intended for women who have a verified pregnancy. The “morning after pill” is intended to prevent a pregnancy, shortly after sexual intercourse.² You should consider speaking with a medical professional before considering emergency contraceptives due to health considerations that are important to know about beforehand.

Before starting the abortion pill procedure, you must confirm you are pregnant with a viable pregnancy. This can be done with a pregnancy test and ultrasound. Options can be the first step in this process for you by providing FREE information about pregnancy and abortion options, and a FREE ultrasound.

A medical abortion is a multi-step process using 2 different drugs, with 5 pills total for the procedure.

NOTE – Be aware that depending on the abortion clinic / provider, you may not be under constant close medical supervision during some of the abortion process that occurs at your home. Therefore, you or someone with you will need to be responsible for your care, to assess if your symptoms require urgent medical attention and/or mental health support and care.

The procedure described below begins with the abortion clinic / provider.^3,6

1. An assessment of your particular pregnancy situation and review of medical and legal information is required. There are some preparatory steps necessary to ensure your safety.
2. The two medications are prescribed by a licensed or certified medical provider and purchased by the patient.
3. The first medication pill, mifepristone (Mifeprex), is taken orally and blocks the hormone progesterone needed to maintain the pregnancy.
4. The second medication pill, misoprostol (Cytotec), is taken orally as suggested by the manufacturer. Some clinics instruct the patient to insert it into the vagina 24 hours later. It causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo through the vagina.
5. Most medical abortions using mifepristone are completed within a few days. Bleeding may last 7-10 days after taking the medication. Contact a physician if bleeding continues. The abortion pill may bring about other adverse effects, so it is important to get in touch with a physician if any of these occurs.
6. Two weeks (14 days) later after the abortion is completed, another visit to the clinic is recommended for an ultrasound to be sure all the contents of the uterus are expelled and assessed for any complications or issues.
7. If this abortion method fails, a surgical abortion will be required for successful abortion of the fetus.
8. If complications or issues exist, then additional medical care by the abortion provider and/or other medical professionals may be required.

The Abortion Pill is a major decision since it is a medical procedure, with possible physical, mental, and emotional impact on your health. Therefore, it is important that you understand the step-by-step abortion pill process, legal issues, risks, side effects, possible complications, and alternatives.1

Since there are several important steps that need to be followed carefully, it is wise to review the process ahead of time with a licensed medical professional, so you understand everything completely. Options can help inform you also.

Mifepristone should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. It should not be used under certain pregnancy conditions – for example if implantation in the uterus has not occurred, which means the pregnancy is ectopic. The abortion pill will not abort an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening.

The U.S. FDA is concerned enough about one of the medications, Mifepristone, that it has this drug under the FDA risk management program4, with cautionary guidance about it.5 There are also cautions about buying the abortion pill medications online from non-approved or risky sources. Medical supervision is required for a medical abortion. Telehealth is an option that is commonly discussed for a medical abortion, but also has some risks to consider.

Some additional follow up and care may be needed if there are any possible issues during or after the abortion procedure – physically or mentally / emotionally.

Additional abortion pill risks can include the following: ^{1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}

• Telehealth (virtual / remote) audio or video assessment – limited medical contact
• Ectopic pregnancy – can be life-threatening
• Hemorrhaging – may require surgery to stop it
• Infection / Sepsis – incomplete removal of the fetus or surrounding tissues may require antibiotics and/or surgery
• Emotional / psychological impact / distress
• Side effects and complications – see sections below.

Side effects may include physical and mental / emotional feelings a person may have during or after an abortion.

Possible side effects can include: ^{1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}

• Pelvic / abdominal pain – requiring pain management methods
• Intense cramping of the uterus
• Vaginal bleeding – excessive bleeding may require surgery to stop it
• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginal itching
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty sleeping
• Unusual bruising
• Tightness in chest
• Coughing, belching
• Nausea / digestive system discomfort / acid or sour stomach / indigestion
• Vomiting
• Fever and infection
• Flu-like symptoms
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Emotional / psychological impact / distress

Complications are a secondary condition a person may have during or after an abortion.

Possible abortion pill complications can include: ^{6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}

• Hemorrhaging – excessive bleeding may require surgery to stop it
• Infection / Sepsis – incomplete removal of the fetus or surrounding tissues may require antibiotics and/or surgery
• Ectopic pregnancy – can be life-threatening – may require surgery
• Emotional / psychological impact / distress – may require medical or psychological assistance

We can discuss these and other topics with you during your visit to Options.

Miscarriage. This is a spontaneous loss of a pregnancy, so you may not need to take any abortion action if this occurs. About 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, but the actual number is likely higher. ¹²

Your Rights. If you are unsure about what to do with your pregnancy, do not take the abortion pill or get a surgical abortion impulsively. If you have questions, are unsure, are being pressured or misled into an abortion, or are having second thoughts about abortion, consider speaking with Options. Please note that Options staff do not provide legal advice.

Costs.There are potential costs involved with an abortion, including financial, physical, mental health, social, and others.

Here are just a few pregnancy and abortion questions you may be asking, or you may have heard from others. Our team can help answer these questions and others you may have.

• How do I know for sure if I’m pregnant?
• Are there pros and cons of abortion?
• What are possible risks, side effects, and complications of the abortion pill?
• How is telehealth used with the abortion pill and what are the possible issues?
• What are the risks of buying the abortion pill on the internet?
• How much does an abortion cost?
• What are the best options for my situation?

If you believe that abortion is the right choice for you then you should carefully research the abortion provider for the abortion procedure.

Here are a few initial questions to ask an abortion provider – we can help guide you through these and other issues you should address.

• Is the abortion provider an approved and licensed medical abortion provider?
• Will a licensed OB/GYN physician supervise the abortion process?
• Do they clearly and completely explain your legal rights?
• Do they clearly and completely explain all the risks, side effects, and possible complications, including the U.S. FDA REMS program?
• What type of post abortion care, both physical and emotional, do they provide, if any?
• Do they provide reviews from other patients who have used their abortion services?
• If you change your mind after the abortion process is started, do they provide any options?

Ask to speak with other patients who have used their services to understand their experience – the positives and negatives.

Look at the provider’s Yelp, Google, and other reviews online.

Some people change their mind after starting the abortion pill procedure.

A medication procedure using a pill exists called abortion pill reversal (APR). There is a 64% to 68% chance of continuing a healthy pregnancy if the abortion reversal pill is taken within 72 hours of taking mifepristone (the first abortion pill you take).13

Call 877-558-0333 or visit www.abortionpillreversal.com for more information about abortion pill reversal.

It is important to take one step at a time, and not get ahead of yourself and do something you may regret later. Sometimes emotions can get ahead of us. Taking one careful step at a time allows your emotions to catch up to the facts and information that you gather.

An ultrasound is the only way to confirm a viable pregnancy, fetal location, and gestational age (how far along you are). This information determines which abortion procedure you would qualify for, to help you make a decision with confidence.

The next best step is to schedule a FREE appointment with Options, so we can provide you with a free pregnancy test and free ultrasound. At this appointment, we also provide you with more details about abortion types, methods, risks, possible side effects and complications, costs, and alternatives. We can also help answer your questions.

After you have your FREE pregnancy test and ultrasound, you will have more information about your choices and can take the next steps. A registered nurse will be available to provide you with more information.

Contact us today – 626-671-0581, office@optionslapuente.org, or request an online appointment.

All our services are FREE and confidential!

We are not an abortion provider or abortion referral agency, so we do not benefit financially from your decision.

We are here for you.

Ectopic pregnancy – a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus, usually to the inside of a fallopian tube.

Hemorrhaging – bleeding from a damaged blood vessel inside or outside the body. It can be minor or severe.

Mifepristone (Mifeprex) – a prescription drug that stops the supply of hormones that maintains the interior of the uterus. Without these hormones, the uterus cannot support a pregnancy and the contents of the uterus are expelled.

Misoprostol (Cytotec) – a prescription drug used in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology, including medication abortion, medical management of miscarriage, induction of labor, cervical ripening before surgical procedures, and the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.

Progesterone – A hormone secreted by the female reproductive system that functions mainly to regulate the condition of the inner lining of the uterus.

Ultrasound – a noninvasive imaging test that shows structures inside your body using high-intensity sound waves.

U.S. FDA REMS program – a drug safety program that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can require for certain medications with serious safety concerns. REMS are not designed to mitigate all the adverse events of a medication. Rather, REMS focus on preventing, monitoring and/or managing a specific serious risk by informing, educating and/or reinforcing actions to reduce the frequency and/or severity of the event. Mifepristone is on the REMS list. ^{4, 5}

Uterus – an organ of the female reproductive system, located between the bladder and the rectum. It functions to nourish and house a fertilized egg until the fetus is ready to be delivered.

Content is reviewed for accuracy by licensed Medical Professional(s) and staff editor(s). Our editorial process.

13 Sources / Citations

¹ American Psychological Association (APA), Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion. (2008). Report of the Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved November 7, 2022 from http://www.apa.org/pi/wpo/mental-health-abortion-report.pdf

² Cleveland Clinic (2022). Morning After Pill. Retrieved November 7, 2023 from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23386-morning-after-pill

³ U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (n.d.). Misoprostol (marketed as Cytotec) Information. Retrieved November 7, 2023 from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/misoprostol-marketed-cytotec-information

⁴ U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2023). Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS). Retrieved November 7, 2023 from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/risk-evaluation-and-mitigation-strategies-rems

⁵ U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2023). Approved Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) – Mifepristone. Retrieved October 20, 2023 from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/rems/index.cfm?event=RemsDetails.page&REMS=390

⁶ Mayo Clinic. (2022). Medical Abortion. Retrieved February 14, 2024 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687

⁷ Mayo Clinic. (2022). Medical Abortion. Retrieved October 24, 2023 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/mifepristone-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20067123

⁸ BMC Psychiatry. (2023). Global prevalence of post-abortion depression: Systematic review and Meta-analysis. Retrieved November 7, 2023 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37884930/ and  https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-023-05278-7#Sec27

⁹ Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences. (2013). Abortion and subsequent mental health: Review of the literature. Retrieved November 7, 2023 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23859662/ and https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pcn.12067

¹⁰ Eastern Journal of Medicine. (2020). Psychological Effects of Abortion. An Updated
Narrative Review. Retrieved November 7, 2023 from https://jag.journalagent.com/ejm/pdfs/EJM_25_3_477_483.pdf

¹¹ American Psychologist. (2009). Abortion and Mental Health – Evaluating the Evidence. Retrieved November 7, 2023 from https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/features/amp-64-9-863.pdf

¹² Mayo Clinic. (2023). Miscarriage. Retrieved February 14, 2024 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298

¹³ Abortion Pill Rescue Network. (n.d.). Abortion Pill Reversal FAQs. Retrieved October 24, 2023 from https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/abortion-pill-reversal/faq