- Cleveland Clinic: Medical Abortion
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Mifeprex Prescribing Information
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Mifepristone Questions and Answers
- MedlinePlus: Mifepristone information
- MedlinePlus: Ending Pregnancy With Medicines
- Mayo Clinic: Mifepristone Oral Route
- International Journal of Women’s Health: mental health services study
- RealOptions: Pre-Abortion Screening
- RealOptions: H.O.P.E. Support
- RealOptions: Contact Us
Table of Contents
- What Is the Abortion Pill?
- Common Abortion Pill Side Effects to Expect
- What About the Emotional Side?
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Don’t Skip Your Follow-Up Appointment
- Get Support and Answers
- Frequently Asked Questions
Abortion Pill Side Effects: What to Expect and When to Seek Medical Care
If you’ve recently taken the abortion pill or are considering it, it’s completely normal to wonder what your body is about to go through. The physical experience can feel intense, and without the right information, it’s easy to mistake a normal part of the process for something that needs urgent attention. The information provided below can help walk you through what’s expected, what’s manageable at home, and what genuinely warrants a call to your provider or a trip to the hospital.
What Is the Abortion Pill?
The “abortion pill” actually refers to a two-medication regimen. The first pill, mifepristone, blocks progesterone (the hormone your body needs to sustain a pregnancy). The second medication, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours later, and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Together, this combination is FDA-approved to use up to 10 weeks of gestation.
Understanding the difference between the two medications matters because their side effects are distinct. If you haven’t yet confirmed your pregnancy or gestational age, a Pre-Abortion Screening can help you understand exactly where you are before taking any medication.
Common Abortion Pill Side Effects to Expect
Here’s a breakdown of what most people experience during a medication abortion, and what you can do to stay comfortable.
Bleeding and Cramping
This is the most significant part of the experience. Heavy bleeding and strong cramping typically begin within a few hours of taking misoprostol. Passing blood clots is also normal. Most clots should be smaller than a lemon. The intense phase usually lasts a few hours, but spotting and lighter bleeding can continue for up to four weeks following the abortion.
It helps to have pads on hand so you can monitor your bleeding. Taking time to rest, along with using a heating pad or ibuprofen, can help ease cramping and discomfort.
Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are very common reactions to misoprostol and usually resolve within a few hours. Taking Anti-nausea medication (antiemetic medication) can help reduce gastrointestinal symptoms. If vomiting is severe or persistent beyond 24 hours, contact your provider.
Fever, Chills, and Headache
A low-grade fever or chills on the day you take misoprostol are expected and typically last about a day. They’re your body responding to the medication. However, a fever above 100.4°F that persists for more than twenty four hours is a warning sign of possible infection and requires immediate medical attention.
Dizziness and Fatigue
Dizziness, tiredness, and back pain are common side effects that typically ease within a few days and stop within two weeks. Plan to rest on the day of taking the medications and give yourself a day or two to recover; most people are back to normal activities the following day, though heavy exercise should be avoided for several days.
From the Nurse’s DeskWhat advice do you usually give someone who feels anxious about what to expect after taking the abortion pill?
– Christine Kulle MSN, ANP-C, CNM, APRN, Advanced Care Provider |
What About the Emotional Side?
The emotional side effects don’t always get enough attention. Your experience emotionally after a medication abortion can look like almost anything: relief, grief, sadness, numbness, or even a neutral sense of moving on. There’s no right or wrong way to feel.
Hormonally, your body goes through a shift after a pregnancy ends. The drop in hormone levels can trigger mood instability and depressive symptoms. For most people, these symptoms ease on their own within a few weeks.
If you find yourself struggling, please don’t white-knuckle it alone. Talking to a counselor, a trusted person in your life, or a support service can make a real difference. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to go through it alone. At RealOptions, we offer compassionate, non-judgmental support for those experiencing difficult emotions after an abortion or other pregnancy-related loss.
When to Seek Medical Care
Some people go through a medication abortion at home without complications. But there are specific signs that mean you need to call your provider right away or go to the emergency room.
According to NIH MedlinePlus, the following symptoms require you to call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care:
- Soaking through two thick full-size pads every hour for two consecutive hours.
- A fever above 100.4°F lasting more than four hours, severe pain or tenderness below the waist, fast heartbeat, or fainting.
- General symptoms of illness – weakness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, persisting for more than 24 hours after taking mifepristone, even without fever.
- No bleeding within 24 hours of taking misoprostol – contact your provider right away, as it may mean the medication didn’t work.
- Continued pregnancy symptoms after two weeks – an ongoing pregnancy is rare but possible, and a follow-up appointment will confirm whether the abortion was complete.
Don’t Skip Your Follow-Up Appointment
A follow-up appointment, typically two weeks after, is an important step that’s easy to skip when you’re feeling okay. However, this appointment is how your provider confirms the abortion is complete, either through ultrasound, blood draw, or a home pregnancy test. Skipping it means an incomplete abortion could go undetected.
Get Support and Answers
If you’re in the San Jose, Oakland, or Union City area and have questions about what you’re experiencing, RealOptions offers pre-abortion screenings and consultations, along with real nurse support available through live chat. No insurance is required.
Ready to talk with a provider? Schedule an appointment or walk in at one of our clinics.
Prefer to ask questions first? Connect with a real nurse 24/7 through Live Chat or call (408) 886-9645 for confidential support and information.
Clinic Locations
Central San Jose
1671 The Alameda, Suite #101, San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 978-9310
East San Jose
12 N. White Road, Suite #1, San Jose, CA 95127
(408) 272-5577
Oakland
400 30th St, Suite #401, Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 891-9998
Union City
33523 Western Ave, Union City, CA 94587
(510) 487-4357
Medical Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This website and blog do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information provided on this website is intended for general understanding only. We do not refer for or provide abortion services at our clinics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon does bleeding and cramping usually happen?
Bleeding and cramping are expected after misoprostol. Most people pass the pregnancy within 2 to 24 hours after taking misoprostol, although the exact timing and intensity can vary. Follow the instructions from the healthcare professional who prescribed the medication and contact them if you are concerned about your symptoms.
How much bleeding is considered too much?
Seek medical care right away if you soak through two thick, full-size sanitary pads every hour for two continuous hours. MedlinePlus also advises contacting a healthcare professional for severe pain, fainting, a fast heartbeat, or a fever above 100.4°F that lasts more than four hours.
Why is follow-up care important?
Follow-up care helps confirm that the pregnancy has ended and gives a healthcare professional a chance to evaluate any ongoing bleeding or other concerns. The FDA-approved regimen includes follow-up with a healthcare professional about 7 to 14 days after taking mifepristone.
