If you recently had unprotected sex or worry that your birth control failed, you may be trying to sort out the difference between the morning-after pill and the abortion pill.
The names sound similar, but they do two very different things.
The morning-after pill is an emergency contraceptive meant to prevent a pregnancy from starting.
The abortion pill ends a pregnancy that has already implanted in the uterus. Knowing the difference matters for your health, so here is a closer look at both.
You can also reach out to Palm Beach Women’s Clinic for any questions you have regarding an unexpected pregnancy.
How the Morning-After Pill Works
The morning-after pill, often sold as Plan B, works mainly by stopping or delaying your ovary from releasing an egg.
In some cases, it may keep a fertilized egg from attaching to the lining of the uterus. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, though it can still work up to 5 days after.
The morning-after pill can cause side effects you should be prepared for, including:
- Fatigue
- Spotting or changes to your next period
- Upset stomach or vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Breast tenderness
- Pain in the lower stomach area
If your period is more than a week late after taking it, taking a pregnancy test will confirm whether the pill worked.
How the Abortion Pill Works
The abortion pill, also called medical abortion, uses two drugs to end an existing pregnancy.
The first, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone so the pregnancy can no longer grow.
The second, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and pass the pregnancy tissue through the vagina.
Your body may respond to a medical abortion in ways that are hard to predict, so it’s important to be aware of the following risks:
- Retained pregnancy tissue, known as an incomplete abortion
- Infection
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive upset, such as nausea and diarrhea
- An allergic reaction to the drugs used
It’s also important to know that the FDA has only approved the abortion pill through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
We’re Your Best Next Step
At Palm Beach Women’s Clinic, we’re here for you, providing information and support in a confidential, caring, and non-judgmental space.
We also provide pregnancy testing and, if needed, a follow-up ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy, check that it is not ectopic (which poses a serious health risk that the abortion pill won’t resolve), and determine the age of your pregnancy.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment at our Palm Beach Gardens or Boca Raton location.