Mifepristone: The Abortion Pill

Mifepristone: The Abortion Pill

Instead of undergoing surgical procedures that can result in painful side effects and unnecessary risks, women are electing to use an abortion pill instead. The pill Mifepristone is new on the market and is advertised as an early termination option. For women eight weeks pregnant or less, this pill can effectively induce a termination without needing any type of surgical procedure. Without enduring a surgical procedure, a woman is less likely to experience complications like puncturing the uterine wall, injuring the uterus itself, or harming the cervix. This pill is just as effective as a traditional surgical termination, but is less likely to leave a woman with significant emotional side effects. Additionally, a woman is more likely to abort by taking a pill than a procedure due to the lack of stress and anxiety that may occur during a surgical termination.

Mifepristone, better known as RU 486 has been used in Europe for many years now. The pill has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is beginning to develop a following in the United States by physicians. Many doctors prefer using a medical treatment as opposed to a surgical one and find Mifepristone is an excellent drug with a 95 to 97 percent success rate. A woman initially comes into a physician’s office and receives an oral dose of Mifepristone. She is then given a dose of Misoprostol, also approved by the FDA, to take home and insert vaginally between 24 and 72 hours of the initial treatment.

The pill works to cause the uterus to contract, thus initiating a miscarriage if used correctly. The uterine lining, complete with embryo, is then expelled six to eight hours after taking the dose of Misoprostol. Most women prefer the privacy of terminating a pregnancy in their own home on their own terms instead of in a sterile doctor’s office. Furthermore, the side effects are minimal and can include bleeding and cramping. The bleeding will be greater than an individual who undergoes a surgical termination, but is usually no more than a moderate to heavy menstrual flow. Two weeks after taking the Misoprostol, the patient returns for a follow up appointment to ensure the process was successful. If for some reason the pregnancy was not terminated, you will then have the option of undergoing a surgical termination. Furthermore, a small percentage of women do not pass the tissue developed in the uterus, so it will need to be removed by suctioning at this appointment. This is not a major concern, the procedure is quick and painless.

Also read our article about Abortion Methods