If you are considering abortion pills, you may have heard of a misoprostol-only abortion. Misoprostol is a drug that causes the uterus to contract and empty. It is often used as part of a two-drug abortion regimen with mifepristone, but in some cases it is used by itself.
Before taking any abortion medication, it is important to understand how it works, what the risks are, and why confirming key details about your pregnancy matters.
Is misoprostol-only abortion as effective?
Misoprostol-only abortion is generally less effective than the two-drug regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol.
The two-drug regimen has success rates over 95%, while misoprostol-only regimens have reported success rates around 84–93%. Misoprostol-only abortion also has a higher chance of continuing pregnancy, incomplete abortion, or the need for follow-up medical care.
Source: Ipas Clinical Updates on medication abortion regimens.
This means that with misoprostol-only abortion, there may be a greater chance that the abortion does not fully work or that additional treatment is needed.
What are the risks?
Cramping and bleeding are expected with abortion pills. However, some symptoms may need medical attention, including:
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
- Fever or signs of infection
- Ongoing pregnancy symptoms
- Incomplete abortion
- A pregnancy that continues after taking the medication
Medication abortion is intended for pregnancies located in the uterus. It does not treat an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy outside the uterus and can become life-threatening if untreated.
Why should I get an ultrasound first?
An ultrasound before taking abortion pills can help answer three important questions:
How far along am I?
Medication abortion has gestational limits, and many women are unsure exactly how far along they are.
Is the pregnancy in the uterus?
Abortion pills do not treat ectopic pregnancy. Because symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can overlap with abortion pill side effects, confirming the pregnancy location matters.
Is the pregnancy viable?
Some pregnancies end naturally before a woman has any obvious symptoms. An ultrasound can help determine whether the pregnancy appears to be developing.
What about ordering abortion pills online?
Ordering abortion pills online may seem private or convenient, but it can bypass important medical safeguards. The FDA warns against purchasing abortion drugs outside approved channels because the safety, effectiveness, dosage, and quality of the drugs cannot be guaranteed.
Without an exam or ultrasound, you may not know how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is ectopic, or whether the abortion is complete afterward.
Get answers before you decide
Before taking misoprostol or any abortion medication, you deserve accurate medical information about your pregnancy and your options.
At Fort Worth Pregnancy Center, we offer no-cost pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and confidential consultations. We do not provide or refer for abortion services, but we do provide information about abortion procedures, risks, recovery, and your pregnancy options.
Schedule a confidential appointment today.
References
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration, “Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation.”
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration, “Information about Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation.”
- Ipas Clinical Update, “Mifepristone and Misoprostol: Recommended Regimen.”
- Ipas Clinical Update, “Misoprostol Only: Recommended Regimen.”
- Mayo Clinic, “Ectopic Pregnancy: Symptoms & Causes.”