You may have heard about using abortion pills to terminate pregnancy at the initial stage. But have you ever wondered what could be its side effects? Whether using abortion pills could impact your future pregnancies? How safe are these?

Abortion pill is highly effective and is usually a safe way when used in the first weeks of the pregnancy.

Mykare Health is here to guide you about the abortion pill and whether it is safe to consider for your future pregnancy.

This blog will give you a complete knowledge about the side effects of using an abortion pill so that you decide when to use it safely for your journey. So, read on and get informed.

Physical Side Effects

The abortion pill involves using mifepristone followed by misoprostol, which can lead to some side effects. The side effects are temporary.

Following side effects can be seen after having the pill:

• You may experience cramping as the uterine contracts. It can be from mild to severe.

• There can be bleeding which starts within hours of taking misoprostol and can be heavier than a normal menstrual period. It may include large blood clots too.

• Some women experience nausea, or vomiting after taking the medications.

• Diarrhoea is another common gastrointestinal side effect. It usually resolves on its own within a day or two.

• Women may also experience fatigue, headache, dizziness or fever from the physical stress and blood loss linked with the abortion process. Drinking plenty of fluids and resting can help alleviate these symptoms.

Fertility Implications

The abortion pill does not have long-term side effects on a woman’s chances to conceive. Following are the fertility implications after using an abortion pill:

• There may be ovulation as soon as two weeks after the abortion. It means fertility can return almost immediately, even before your next menstrual period.

• If you have used the abortion pill, you may have similar fertility rates compared to those who have never had an abortion.

• There is no increased risk of preterm birth in pregnancy after the use of the abortion pill.

• Some women may experience emotional fatigue after an abortion, which can affect their chances of conceiving for future pregnancy.

• You should go for regular gynecological check-ups. The check-ups help monitor your reproductive health and prepare for your future pregnancy.

Impact on Subsequent Pregnancies

Using the abortion pill does NOT affect future pregnancies.

• Women who have had a medical abortion have similar chances of conceiving as compared to those who have not had an abortion. After the use of the abortion pill, future pregnancies are usually within normal ranges, comparable to those in women who have not undergone an abortion.

• There is no proof that the abortion pill increases the risk of birth defects in future pregnancies. The medications used in abortion pill do not affect your reproductive system in a negative way. The abortion pill does not increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy in future pregnancies.

• Studies have shown that there is no significant increase in placental complications, such as placenta previa or placental abruption, in pregnancies after you use the abortion pill. Uterine lining will also remain normal.

• Women may need time to emotionally recover and prepare for a future pregnancy.

• You should make sure that the abortion is complete and there are no retained products of conception for preventing future complications.

• Your body can return to a fertile state quickly, often within a few weeks, you should use contraception if immediate pregnancy is not desired.

Emotional and Psychological Effects

Having an abortion does not enhance the risk of long-term mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.

Women usually return to their pre-abortion mental health status. Those who had supportive family members and friends and strong convictions about their decision tend to be better emotionally.

Some women may experience negative thoughts about the abortion, especially during future pregnancies.

There are various factors which affect emotional and psychological results after a medical abortion. They are as follows:

• Seek help from your support system, including family, friends, and partners. It can affect emotional recovery.

• Personal, and religious beliefs about abortion can affect emotional responses and long-term psychological outcomes.

• The reasons behind the abortion such as financial issues, or personal readiness, play an important role in emotional outcomes.

Monitoring and Medical Follow-Up

You should monitor and schedule a follow-up after taking the abortion pill to make sure that the procedure is complete and to prevent any complications. Proper follow-up care helps to maintain overall reproductive health and provides support for physical and emotional recovery.

What happens after abortion?

• An ultrasound is usually done to check that the uterus is empty and that all pregnancy tissue has been taken out. Doctors may perform a physical examination to make sure that there are no signs of infection or any retained tissue.

• There may be few symptoms of infection such as fever, abdominal pain, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge. You should take antibiotics for this and detect it early. If there is too much bleeding, such as soaking through two or more sanitary pads per hour for consecutive hours, it may require medical attention.

• You may be required to undergo a surgery if there is any tissue left after abortion. There may be a need to take pain relievers such as ibuprofen to manage cramping and discomfort.

• Take help from the counselors for any emotional issues. Join support groups who have had similar experiences.

• Fertility can return quickly after an abortion, so discuss immediate contraceptive options for you. Be alert and seek medical help whenever required during the process.