8 Abortion Pill Side Effects & What You Need to Know

Many women have been where you are: holding a pregnancy test in your hand with two pink lines staring back at you. All at once, you may feel a range of emotions—surprise, fear, uncertainty, and sometimes even a quiet sense of hope and possibility. Looking at a positive pregnancy test can feel overwhelming, especially if you didn't expect to be taking it.

You might find yourself thinking, What now? What should I do next? Maybe you grab your phone and start searching for solutions. You remember seeing a post on TikTok regarding the abortion pill regimen and consider the possibility of ordering them online. Now you might be asking, Is it safe to order the abortion pill online? Is abortion legal in Missouri? How do I know if it's too late to take the abortion pill?

You're not alone—and while this feels overwhelming now, you have time to make a decision with all the information available to you. While it might seem safe, making a major medical decision or taking abortion pills without medical guidance could be dangerous and put your health at risk.

If this is you, we're here to help. We do not provide abortions or recommendations for abortion providers. We provide education on abortion pills and in-clinic procedures in Columbia, MO and Boone County.

We walk with women in your situation every day, and it's our priority that you have medically accurate information, no matter what you decide. If you are considering an abortion, we recommend making an appointment for an ultrasound to confirm viability. Contact us to make an appointment or have a confidential phone consultation. Our nurses can give you the answers you need and provide medical resources and services focused on your health and well-being.

The Abortion Pill Isn’t for Everyone

There is a lot of information about the abortion pill available, and it can be difficult to sift through it on your own. Here are some facts about the abortion

pill regimen (mifepristone and misoprostol).

The abortion pill is only FDA-approved if you are early in your pregnancy. If you track your cycle or have checked a due date calculator, this can estimate how far along you are; however, it cannot verify your pregnancy. An ultrasound is the only accurate way to date a pregnancy because dates can be off. Sometimes, women ovulate early in the month, or women think they had their period, but what they experienced was implantation bleeding during pregnancy instead.

If you have confirmed you are past 10 weeks, taking abortion pills can cause serious complications.

After doing a quick online search, you will find out that certain medical conditions could deem you ineligible for the abortion pill altogether. For instance, if you have an IUD in place, you need to get it removed before you take the medication. And if your pregnancy is outside the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy, this medication won’t work at all. An ectopic pregnancy could leave you vulnerable and in a life-threatening situation that requires immediate care.

Some prescription medications should not be taken with the mifepristone. Other nonprescription or herbal products such as aspirin and St. John's wort, may interact with mifepristone.

The FDA’s own label admits that 1 in 25 women will visit the ER after the use of

abortion pills, while the EPPC’s latest and largest study reveals that the adverse

event rate is 22 times higher than the FDA-approved drug label reports.

Blood clotting disorders, adrenal issues, or even certain medications you take regularly could

also complicate things. It is essential to realize how many factors there are to keep in mind

when considering taking the abortion pill regimen.

What Can I Expect After Taking the Abortion Pill?

My Life Clinic believes in informed decisions. We do not provide abortions or recommendations for abortion providers. We provide education on abortion pills and in-clinic procedures in Columbia, MO and Boone County. If you are considering an abortion, we recommend making an appointment for an ultrasound to confirm viability.

How does the abortion pill work? The abortion pill (also known as Mifeprex, mifepristone, or RU-486) uses two drugs to induce abortion in women up to 70 days (10 weeks) after their last menstrual period (LMP). On day one, mifepristone is swallowed and causes the pregnancy to stop growing by blocking the effect of the hormone progesterone. Twenty-four to forty-eight hours later, misoprostol is taken, causing cramping and bleeding to expel the pregnancy. This cramping may be severe, and vaginal bleeding and spotting usually lasts 9 to 16 days, and in some women may last up to 30 days.

The most common abortion pill side effects may include: nausea, weakness, fever/chills, vomiting, headache, diarrhea and dizziness.

Most people are aware of the common side effects, but women can also experience:

1. Contractions – Your body can undergo contractions to expel the fetus.

2. Menorrhagia – Heavy or severe bleeding during the abortion process.

3. Vomiting – Some individuals may experience vomiting after taking the drug. However, if

you experience ongoing vomiting or nausea, contact your doctor.

4. Menometrorrhagia – Ongoing abnormal uterine bleeding and/or periods that last longer than normal. Some women report ongoing bleeding for months after taking abortion pills.

5. Long-term Headaches, Fever, or Migraines – Headaches have been reported by

some individuals undergoing medical abortion.

6. Pelvic Infection or Uterine Damage – Some women experience long-term pelvic pain or

are diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility, pain

during intercourse, and a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy in the future. Having a

sexually transmitted infection at the time of an abortion can increase this risk.

7. Sepsis – This is a severe infection that can occur when bacteria enter the bloodstream.

In the context of medication abortion, sepsis can be life-threatening if not promptly

treated.

8. Blood Clots – Passing blood clots is a standard part of the abortion process. Large clots

may form in the uterus, leading to complications. If you pass clots more significant than a lemon for more than two hours or experience heavy bleeding that soaks through more than two maxi pads per hour for two consecutive hours, contact your healthcare provider immediately, as this could be a life-threatening condition.

You can find the complete list of drug reactions here. Without the correct medical supervision, these complications can get serious.

It is also crucial to your overall health and well-being to have a follow-up with a medical

professional two weeks after taking the pill, as well as the need to be monitored to make sure everything goes as planned, so that if the situation arises, you can seek the immediate care you deserve.

What Should You Do Now?

Making this decision alone and without medical guidance is dangerous.

You have time to make a well-informed decision and seek the help you deserve. You can schedule an appointment online with our medical team to confirm how far along you are through ultrasound, discuss your options, ask questions, and better understand potential risks more thoroughly. You want to be sure that your choices are right for your health and future.

We Are Your Next Best Step

In moments of uncertainty, we believe knowledge is power. You don't have to face this alone. My Life Clinic offers the services, support, and resources to make informed decisions about your pregnancy and health. Whether you need to confirm your pregnancy, explore your options, or find support and local resources, we are your best first step. Book an appointment today!

Citations:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Questions and answers on mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy through ten

weeks gestation. Retrieved [2025], from

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-t

ermination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation

https://www.drugs.com/comments/misoprostol/sfx-vomiting.html

Medication abortion up to 70 days of gestation. (2020b). Obstetrics and Gynecology, 136(4), e31–e47.

Mifepristone (Mifeprex): MedlinePlus drug information. (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html