How long do you bleed after the abortion pill?
Many women wonder how long they will bleed after the abortion pill. Plan C, the abortion pill, involves taking two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. The second drug, misoprostol, causes severe cramping and bleeding which reaches its peak in 4-24 hours after ingestion. 4 It is normal to have bleeding or spotting several weeks after a medicated abortion.
Mifepristone
If you have just taken the first pill, mifepristone, you most likely will not experience any negative side effects. Mifepristone is a “selective antagonist of progesterone,” meaning that it blocks the supply of progesterone to the fetus. Therefore, if you have taken the first pill but would like to reverse course, you can pursue an Abortion Pill Reversal. You will take progesterone to attempt to block the effects of the mifepristone that you took, with a 64-68% success rate. Call the number 1-877-558-0333. This hotline operates 24/7. You can also visit: https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/
Misoprostol
Misoprostol softens the cervix to deliver the fetus and causes intense cramping. It is common to see blood, blood clots, or pieces of tissue “as large as the size of a lemon” when the abortion pill is working. If you do not see bleeding after taking misoprostol, that means the medication did not work. The Yale Medical Journal Q&A online adds:
“The cramping and bleeding may be accompanied by chills, nausea, and fever, which are side effects of misoprostol. If nausea, vomiting, fever, or diarrhea persists more than 24 hours after taking the second set of pills, individuals should call their doctor.”5
So, how long will I bleed after the abortion pill?
How long you bleed after an abortion pill is determined by the efficacy of the procedure. You should contact your doctor or go to the emergency room if you continue to have heavy bleeding after 24 hours, as the abortion may be incomplete, and you may continue to bleed too much. It is common to experience light bleeding or spotting several weeks after a medicated abortion. If you would like to learn more or seek support, you can book an appointment online or call 208.667.5433.
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8547409/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1462399/
