The abortion pill and Plan B are often confused with each other. After all, they’re both supposed to keep you from being pregnant, right? Not exactly. The abortion pill ends an existing pregnancy. You take Plan B to prevent a pregnancy.
We’re happy to explain the difference in greater detail here, but if you’d like to talk with someone in person, schedule a free and confidential appointment. We’re here for you.
What Is the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill method is also known as a medical, medication, or chemical abortion because you take drugs to end a pregnancy. The FDA regulates mifepristone, the first drug you take in the abortion pill protocol. It’s approved through 10 weeks of pregnancy only.
This drug blocks the hormone progesterone, which causes your uterine lining to thin and loosen. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot continue developing.
Misoprostol, the second drug, causes uterine contractions and bleeding to expel the pregnancy from your uterus.
Are There Side Effects With the Abortion Pill Method?
In addition to bleeding and cramping, you may experience some of these other side effects:
- Upset stomach with or without vomiting.
- Fever and possibly chills.
- Diarrhea.
- Headache.
Some women report severe pain when taking the drugs.
What Are the Risks?
There are also certain risks associated with the abortion pill. They include:
- The body does not release all pregnancy tissue (this is also known as an incomplete abortion).
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
Another risk for some women includes mental health issues, like sadness, guilt, and regret.
How Does Plan B Work?
Plan B, also known as the “morning-after pill,” is an emergency contraceptive (birth control). You take Plan B after sex if your regular birth control method didn’t work or you didn’t use birth control.
Plan B should never be your primary method of birth control. It works by preventing or delaying the release of an egg from the ovaries, also called ovulation. Plan B doesn’t end an existing pregnancy.
Are There Side Effects After Taking Plan B?
According to the Mayo Clinic, side effects of the morning-after pill only last a few days. They can include the following:
- Upset stomach or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Light bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
- Pain or cramps in the stomach area
Are There Any Risks?
Don’t rely on Plan B if you have the following conditions:
- You are overweight or obese.
- You’re allergic to the ingredients.
- You take certain medicines that can affect how well the morning-after pill works.
Get the Facts From LaVie Health
If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering the abortion pill, we encourage you to schedule pre-abortion care at LaVie Health. Our services are free and confidential.
We do not perform or refer for abortion, or provide Plan B at LaVie Health. However, we do provide factual, evidence-based information about all abortion procedures and their potential risks.
Need to talk with someone? Contact LaVie Health for a free and confidential appointment.
How can we help you today?
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
