How Painful Is a Medical Abortion? What Does It Feel Like to Use the Abortion Pill?
Generally, medical abortion is associated with abdominal pain. The intensity and duration of this pain vary from woman to woman. Some report mild discomfort, while others experience very intense cramping.
ℹ️ Tap here to read about medical abortion experiences.
A medical abortion usually involves taking two kinds of medication. The first medication, Mifegyne®, containing the active ingredient mifepristone, is a progesterone blocker. This cuts off the embryo from its nutrient supply, leading to its demise. Occasionally, vaginal bleeding may already occur at this stage. The second medication, containing the active ingredient misoprostol (e.g. Cytotec®), is a synthetic prostaglandin hormone that induces contractions. Uterine contractions may feel like stomach cramps. The bleeding is heavier than menstrual bleeding.
The physical reaction to the abortion pill differs from woman to woman, resulting in varying side effects of Mifegyne®. These may include nausea, vomiting, digestive issues (diarrhoea), circulatory problems, headaches and dizziness. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen are usually recommended to alleviate the pain.
❗️ If you experience severe pain or side effects such as excessive vomiting, high fever or very heavy bleeding, seek immediate medical assistance! Your prescribing physician should be available to answer questions regarding the necessity of a hospital visit. Having someone on call to drive you is a must.
Perhaps you are thinking about a medical abortion and feel unsure of what to do. You might be dealing with multiple concerns apart from whether an abortion would hurt. Use our quiz to help you gain more clarity:
- 🚦 Should I take the abortion pill? – Quiz
- ℹ️ For more information, go to Abortion Pill FAQs.
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