Understanding Abortion Pills: What to Know

October 28, 2026

You may have heard the abortion pill described as a simple, private way to end an early pregnancy. But the reality is more complex, and knowing the facts about abortion pills is important to protecting your health and future.

Keep reading to learn more about how Women’s Care Medical Center can help with free and confidential services. You can also schedule an appointment to learn more about your options and get your questions answered.

A Two-Drug Regimen

The abortion pill, also called medical abortion, uses two drugs taken at separate times.

The first, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, the hormone a pregnancy needs to continue developing. Without progesterone, the pregnancy detaches from the uterus and stops growing.

The second, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina.

Who Should Not Take the Abortion Pill

The FDA approves mifepristone only through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Past that point, the likelihood of an incomplete abortion and other complications increases.

Certain factors can make you ineligible for a medical abortion, including:

History of ectopic pregnancy
Intrauterine device (IUD) in place
Diagnosed with a bleeding disorder or taking blood thinners or certain steroid medications
Diagnosed with certain heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney, or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder
Unable to attend follow-up visits or reach emergency care

What Your Body Will Go Through

Every woman who takes the abortion pill experiences abdominal cramping that is often stronger than a menstrual period, along with vaginal bleeding that can include large clots and tissue. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and chills are also common.

There are also known risks of medical abortion, including:

Incomplete abortion, which may require a surgical procedure
An ongoing pregnancy if the drugs do not work
Heavy and prolonged bleeding
Infection and fever

Research has also found that a medical abortion can lead to mental health effects such as grief, anxiety, and depression.

Signs That Require Emergency Care

Seek medical attention right away if you experience symptoms such as soaking through two or more thick pads an hour for two consecutive hours, a fever lasting longer than 24 hours, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or severe abdominal pain that medication does not relieve.

Three Facts to Confirm First

While a pregnancy test can confirm a pregnancy, it does not provide the 3 details you need to know if you are considering a medical abortion. You can find those details with an ultrasound scan.

An ultrasound will:

Determine the gestational age of your pregnancy to determine whether you fall within the FDA’s 10-week recommended limit.
Confirm the location of your pregnancy to rule out an ectopic pregnancy, a life-threatening condition the abortion pill cannot resolve.
Determine whether your pregnancy is still viable, because some pregnancies end on their own through miscarriage.

Pre-Abortion Screening at Women’s Care Medical Center

Women’s Care Medical Center is here for you.

Our free and confidential pre-abortion screening allows you to confirm your pregnancy and learn crucial details through an ultrasound scan, and have all your questions answered by a qualified medical professional any questions you may have.

Women’s Care Medical 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.