If you recently had unprotected sex or think your normal birth control failed, you may be wondering about the difference between the Plan B pill and the abortion pill.
While some people mistakenly believe they work similarly, they actually are different in their purpose.
The abortion pill is used to terminate an already existing pregnancy.
Plan B, on the other hand, is an emergency contraceptive to prevent a pregnancy in the first place.
Keep reading to learn more about both the abortion pill and Plan B, as well as potential risks and side effects, and how you can get help if you’re worried your birth control failed or are pregnant. You can also schedule an appointment today to get your questions answered.
Abortion Pill
The abortion pill, also known as medical abortion, uses a series of drugs to terminate a healthy pregnancy.
The first drug used is mifepristone, which causes a fertilized egg to detach from your uterine wall and stop growing.
Misoprostol is then used next, and it works by causing your uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy from your body through your vagina.
There are health risks associated with the abortion pill, which can include:
- Retained pregnancy tissue (an incomplete abortion)
- Infection
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive upset
- Allergic reaction to the drugs used
The FDA also recommends against using the abortion pill after 10 weeks of pregnancy, as serious complications can occur.
Plan B Pill
The Plan B pill, also called “the morning after pill”, is a drug used to block a pregnancy from happening as a result of failed birth control or unprotected sex.
Plan B typically works by preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg or by preventing an egg from becoming fertilized. In some cases, though, it can prevent an already fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall or cause a fertilized egg to detach from your uterine wall.
Plan B is most effective when used within 72 hours of unprotected sex or failure of your normal birth control, but it can work up to 5 days after sex.
Side effects of the Plan B pill can include:
- Fatigue
- Spotting
- Upset stomach or vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Breast tenderness
- Pain in the stomach area
- An early or late menstrual cycle
Get the Help and Answers You Need
If you believe your regular birth control failed, or you had unprotected sex, and think you may be pregnant, we’re here to help.
Lilli Women’s Center provides highly accurate, medical-grade pregnancy tests at no cost to you. If your test is positive, we can also offer a complimentary follow-up ultrasound scan to confirm the pregnancy and help you learn additional details about your pregnancy.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.
