Although both drugs address an unplanned pregnancy, there are some critical differences between the abortion pill and Plan B, also called the Morning-After pill.
The abortion pill ends an existing pregnancy. Plan B helps block fertilization or stops a fertilized egg from attaching.Â
How the Abortion Pill Works
The abortion pill is a series of two drugs taken after pregnancy confirmation.
The first medication, mifepristone, blocks the pregnancy from receiving progesterone. Once the pregnancy has ended, the second drug, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours later. This drug causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy and uterine lining.Â
Risks and Side Effects of the Abortion Pill
Many medical procedures will pose some risks. Here is a list of potential side effects listed by the Mayo Clinic specifically for a medical abortion produced by the abortion pill:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
How Plan B Works
For Plan B to work as intended, you should take the pill no more than 72 hours after sex. It works to prevent ovulation, block fertilization, or prevent the fertilized egg from implanting in the womb.
Side Effects of the Plan B Pill:
According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms typically last only a few days, but some of the potential side effects include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain or cramps
What is My Best Option?
Plan B is a way to prevent pregnancy from implanting or occurring, while the abortion pill terminates an existing pregnancy within the uterus.Â
If you are still exploring your options, New Beginnings of Winchester exists to provide no-cost pregnancy services such as pregnancy tests and ultrasounds.
An ultrasound can give information such as location, age, and pregnancy viability. For example, if the pregnancy is outside the womb, this is called an ectopic pregnancy, so you’ll need a procedure other than a Plan B or the abortion pill. Every woman deserves confidential support in making her medical decisions, and we are here to help. Contact us today!