Medical Abortions

What is medical abortion?

Medical abortion is a way to end pregnancy without surgery. Recent studies show that medical abortion works up to 63 days after the last period begins.

How does medical abortion work?

There are three steps.

The first step, your clinician will give you an injection of methotrexate or a dose of mifepristone in tablet form. The second step, you will take another medication called misoprostol in tablet form. The third step, you will return to your clinician for a follow-up visit.

Step One

Methotrexate - stops the pregnancy in the uterus. It can also stop those that develop in the fallopian tube - ectopic pregnancies.

Mifepristone - blocks the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, ending the pregnancy.

Methotrexate and mifepristone affect the body differently. A clinician can help you decide which is best for you.

Step Two

Misoprostol - causes the uterus to contract and empty.

Step Three

Follow-up. Your clinician needs to make sure the abortion is complete. You will need an ultrasound or blood test.

How long does it take?

With methotrexate - About 50 percent of women have the abortion the same day they take misoprostol. It happens within a week for another 35-40 percent. The whole process can take up to 14 days.

With mifepristone - About 10 percent of women will have the abortion before they take misoprostol. Most others will have it within four hours of taking misoprostol. For others, bleeding begins in 24 hours. The whole process can take about a week.

It's important to remember that choosing medical abortion means that you will need to visit your clinician's office more than one time.

How effective is it?

Medical abortion with methotrexate is about 90 percent effective. With mifepristone, it is from 92-95 percent effective. Methotrexate and misoprostol can cause serious birth defects. If the medical abortion does not work, a surgical abortion must be done.

Credits: Source: Planned Parenthood