- Incomplete abortion- The uterus does not expel the entire pregnancy and additional procedures would be required.
- Hemorrhaging or severe vaginal bleeding
- Infection
- Allergic reaction to the medications
Can I Have an Abortion with Misoprostol Only?
If you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and researching your options, you may have discovered the recent legal battles concerning the abortion pill. All of the information can feel overwhelming, especially as you try to decide what step to take next. Here’s everything you need to know about the two pills used in abortion.
What is the abortion pill?
In the ‘abortion pill’ process, healthcare providers prescribe two pills. The first pill, mifepristone or mifeprex, prevents progesterone from binding to receptors and the pregnancy stops progressing. The second pill, misoprostol, causes the uterus to expel the pregnancy with cramping and bleeding. Abortion pills can be taken up until 10 weeks of pregnancy.
What is a misoprostol only abortion?
In a misoprostol abortion, a woman takes only misoprostol and does not take mifepristone. So, her uterus cramps and bleeds, but she never takes mifepristone to stop progesterone from reaching the embryo. The embryo is still expelled from her uterus by the misoprostol.
Is a misoprostol abortion legal?
As of October 2023, per the FDA, medical abortions still include mifepristone and misoprostol. Typically, providers continue to prescribe both pills in the regimen, because they are more effective together.
Is a misoprostol abortion effective?
One study showed that the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is more effective than misoprostol alone. Before choosing an abortion, women should have an ultrasound to determine her estimated gestational age (how far along she is).
What are the side effects of misoprostol?
Misoprostol can cause nausea and vomiting, in addition to the cramping and bleeding. One study suggests that when women take misoprostol alone they experience an increase in diarrhea, chills, or fevers.
Do I need a prescription for misoprostol?
As of October 2023, a woman must obtain a prescription for the abortion pills from a qualified healthcare professional. Women should not obtain abortion pills from overseas pharmacies, as thesethe pills could contain an unknown amount of the medication and could be dangerous.
Is a medical abortion safe?
As with any medication or procedure, women should be aware of all of the risks associated with a medical abortion, including: