The Abortion Pill: What You Need to Know About Risks to Your Body and Mind

When you find out you're pregnant, you deserve to know all the facts before deciding what's right for you. Many people consider using the abortion pill (medication abortion), which involves taking mifepristone followed by misoprostol. Each month, thousands of women choose this method, even in states with abortion restrictions (1). But here’s the thing: In states like Alabama, where abortion is essentially banned, many women end up taking these pills at home without ever seeing a doctor. Without medical supervision, you can risk your health and your mental well-being.

Physical Health Risks

Bleeding, Incomplete Abortion, Infection

You will likely bleed after taking misoprostol. That is expected. But if you soak more than two pads an hour, pass large clots, or feel dizzy, you need emergency care. Sometimes the process doesn’t finish, leaving tissue inside. That can cause infection and require surgery.

Ectopic pregnancy

If your pregnancy is outside the uterus, the abortion pill won’t work. This condition is dangerous and can become life-threatening. The only way to detect it is with an ultrasound.

Side effects

You may deal with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or chills. Though some organizations describe medical abortion as similar to strong period cramps, many women have described experiencing excruciating pain that lasts for hours (2). While some side effects are temporary, without medical support you can’t always tell what’s normal and what’s dangerous. Medical abortion brings serious risks when done alone (3).

How the Abortion Pill Can Affect Your Mental Health

This isn’t just about your body. It’s about your mind, too.

• Many people report anxiety, fear, regret, or sadness after taking the abortion pill, especially when alone or unsupported.

• If you already struggle with depression, anxiety, or past trauma, taking the abortion pill without medical or counseling support can make those challenges worse. A 2023 study found that more than 60% of women who had abortions felt pressured into the decision, and many said it negatively affected their mental health, causing disruptions in daily life and more frequent feelings of grief and loss (4).

• Isolation makes it harder to cope. When you don’t have someone to call, someone to help after a dose, you may feel overwhelmed, unsafe, scared.

Your Health and Safety Come First

When abortion pills are ordered online, through telehealth in another state, or obtained by other means, follow-up care is often missing. In states where abortion is banned or restricted, that lack of medical support can make it harder to catch complications early. An ultrasound can give you peace of mind by checking for concerns like ectopic pregnancy and helping protect your health.

What You Can Do

• Confirm your pregnancy. Get a free test and ultrasound so you know exactly what’s going on.

• Talk it through. Options counseling helps you look at every choice you have.

• Reach out now. Call or text the ICU mobile clinic at 334-202-4994 for confidential support.

If you already took the first abortion pill and regret it, call the Abortion Pill Reversal hotline at 1-877-558-0333 immediately.

FAQ

Q: What happens after you take the abortion pill?

A: You take mifepristone first, then misoprostol. Cramping and bleeding start as your body terminates the pregnancy.

Q: Can the abortion pill cause lasting damage?

A: If you get an infection or don’t treat heavy bleeding or other complications, it can affect your future fertility.

Q: How long do side effects last?

A: Many side effects—bleeding, cramps, nausea—resolve in a few days to a couple weeks. Some people bleed longer. If you’re experiencing heavy or prolonged bleeding, you may need medical attention.

Q: What exactly is an ectopic pregnancy?

A: It’s a pregnancy outside the uterus. The abortion pill does not treat it. Without treatment, it risks serious harm.

Q: Why is an ultrasound important before taking the pill?

A: It confirms how far along you are and checks for ectopic pregnancy, which the pill doesn’t treat.

Q: What can I do if I regret taking the first dose of the abortion pill?

A: You can call the Abortion Pill Reversal hotline 24/7 (1-877-558-0333). They provide information about progesterone treatment. Acting fast is crucial, so call as soon as possible.

Final Word

You deserve full information. You deserve support. You deserve options. But it’s important to know that the abortion pill carries physical and emotional risks, especially without medical supervision.

If you want to learn more about the abortion pill or all your options, call or text the ICU mobile clinic at 334-202-4994.

If you’ve taken the first dose of the abortion pill and now regret it, call 1-877-558-0333 immediately.

You don’t have to face this alone.

Sources:

1: Ungar, L., & Mulvihill, G. (2024, May 14). 8,000 women a month got abortion pills despite their states’ bans or restrictions, survey finds. Associated Press. PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/8000-women-a-month-got-abortion-pills-despite-their-states-bans-or-restrictions-survey-finds

2: LiveAction. “The Truth About RU-486.” (2013, Feb 23). LiveAction. https://www.liveaction.org/news/the-truth-about-ru-486/

3: Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Medical abortion. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion

4: Reardon, D. C. (2023, May 30). Whose choice? Pressure to abort linked to worsening of subsequent mental health. Charlotte Lozier Institute. https://lozierinstitute.org/whose-choice-pressure-to-abort-linked-to-worsening-of-subsequent-mental-health/