The abortion pill and Plan B are not the same medication, and they aren’t interchangeable. The abortion pill ends an early pregnancy that is up to 70 days along, and Plan B is an emergency birth control that can be taken soon after sex. Here’s what you need to know about each.
You may also have heard the abortion pill called medication abortion, self-induced abortion, or medical abortion. It is typically a combination of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone causes the pregnancy to stop progressing. Then misoprostol causes cramping and bleeding, which expels the pregnancy from the uterus.
This can cause problems for some women, including pain, vomiting, serious infection, and heavy bleeding.
According to the FDA, some women should not take the abortion pill.
If you have an ectopic pregnancy, are more than ten weeks pregnant, or have certain medical conditions, you should not take the abortion pill.
While it’s possible to get a general idea of how long you’ve been pregnant based on your last menstrual period, it’s best to know for sure.
An ultrasound will confirm how long you have been pregnant and will reveal if you have an ectopic pregnancy or not. These are important factors to know before having a medication abortion.
Plan B is emergency contraception, also known as the morning-after pill. The generic medication name is levonorgestrel.
Plan B usually works to prevent ovulation, keeping you from becoming pregnant. It is designed to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, but it’s not always effective in preventing pregnancy.
Plan B shouldn’t be relied on as an everyday form of birth control, and—just like the abortion pill—it doesn’t prevent STDs.
The Mayo Clinic advises that the morning-after pill isn’t a solution for all women. Some women have allergies, take certain medications, or have conditions that make Plan B ineffective.
We get it—pregnancy scares are overwhelming, and there’s so much information to sort out, especially right now. Maybe you had a condom break, or maybe you just missed a period.
We’re here to help. If you’re afraid you might be pregnant, send us a message or give us a call.
While we don’t provide abortion services or Plan B, we do offer a safe place to discuss your questions about your sexual health, along with free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and other services.
Make an appointment today.