What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

September 2, 2024

The abortion pill (also called medical abortion) uses drugs to end a pregnancy. These drugs cause side effects you should know about before making a pregnancy decision.

Abortion in Arkansas is illegal except when deemed necessary to save the woman’s life. If you are considering traveling out of state for the procedure, you need the facts before deciding.

Your health is the priority. Elevate Women’s Center provides no-cost pre-abortion screenings to help you gather pregnancy information and learn the side effects and risks of abortion.

Book an appointment today to get your questions answered. In the meantime, continue reading to learn about the abortion pill’s side effects.

Side Effects: What You Should Know

The abortion pill uses two drugs to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to help the pregnancy develop. Without this hormone, the uterine lining thins, and the pregnancy ends.

The second drug is called misoprostol. This drug causes the uterus to contract, which expels the pregnancy and related tissue from the body.

When a woman takes the abortion pill, she will always experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. These side effects can be severe.

Other side effects can also occur, including:

• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Diarrhea

If you’re considering abortion, you should always consult your healthcare provider beforehand. They will discuss your medical history and explain the risks and eligibility factors.

Getting the Information You Need

Elevate Women’s Center’s pre-abortion screening will help you make an informed pregnancy decision.

This screening includes a medical-grade pregnancy test, an ultrasound (which determines whether your pregnancy is progressing, its location, and how far along you are), and STD testing and treatment. We’ll also discuss abortion so you can get your questions answered.

An ultrasound is especially critical because it reveals details you need to protect your well-being.

For example, the FDA does not recommend taking abortion drugs past 10 weeks gestation. Knowing crucial information like how far along you are helps you make an educated decision.

This time can feel overwhelming, but we are here for you. Book a no-cost appointment today.

Elevate Women’s Center does not provide or refer for abortions. 

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.