In the shock of an unplanned pregnancy, an abortion can feel like a relief. But, what can women do if they decide it's best for them to continue the pregnancy even after taking the first abortion pill?
Even if you've taken the first abortion pill, abortion pill reversal may be right for you. Keep reading to learn about abortion pill reversal.
What is the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill involves two medications. The first medication, mifepristone, interferes with progesterone receptors and prevents the pregnancy from developing. The second medication, misoprostol, causes the uterus to cramp and expel the pregnancy. The FDA approves the use of mifepristone up until 10 weeks of pregnancy for women who qualify.[1]
Is the Abortion Pill Reversible?
Mifepristone, the first abortion pill, prevents progesterone from binding to receptors in a woman's body, thus causing the lining of the uterus to break down.[2] During the abortion pill reversal process, a woman takes a dose of progesterone that floods the receptors and outcompetes the mifepristone, thus sustaining the pregnancy.
What Is Progesterone?
Progesterone is a hormone that prepares the body for pregnancy and then sustains a pregnancy by building up the lining of the uterus and preventing early contractions. For over fifty years, doctors have prescribed progesterone to treat amenorrhea (missing periods), endometriosis, thyroid disorders, and to prevent preterm birth.[3]
How Does Abortion Pill Reversal Work?
After an initial assessment that may include an ultrasound, a qualified provider prescribes progesterone, which can be administered orally, vaginally, or intramuscularly. Often, women continue taking progesterone during the first trimester and have frequent follow-ups with a medical professional.
When Should I Start the Abortion Pill Reversal Process?
Ideally, you should start the process within 24 hours of taking mifepristone. But, don't let that discourage you. There have been successful cases where treatment was started within 72 hours of taking the first half of the abortion pill.[4]
What are the Side Effects of Progesterone?
Progesterone may cause fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, headaches, or nausea.[5] During the abortion pill reversal process, some women continue to experience adverse side effects from the mifepristone they took initially such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.[6]
What is the Abortion Pill Reversal Success Rate?
A 2018 study showed that 66% of women who take progesterone to reverse the abortion pill process go on to have healthy pregnancies.[7]
Is Abortion Pill Reversal Safe?
A study from 2023 showed that women experienced no adverse effects from taking progesterone after taking mifepristone.[8] Further, a study in 2018 showed that of babies born after abortion pill reversal, only 2.3% experienced birth defects, which reflects the 3% of birth defects in the general population.[9]
How Much Does Abortion Pill Reversal Cost?
The cost of your treatment depends on the type of progesterone your doctor prescribes and your insurance coverage.
In cases of financial hardship, the Abortion Pill Reversal Network will help you find ways to reduce the cost of the treatment.
Abortion Pill Reversal Information in Florence, Alabama
You aren't in this alone. Shoals Women's Clinic is here to help you explore all of your pregnancy options, so you can make an informed and empowered decision.
If you've already taken the abortion pill, time is of the essence. Give us a call at (256) 740-0640 to get started.
Please be aware that Shoals Women's Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Danco Laboratories, LLC & FDA. (2016, March). Mifeprex Label. FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/020687s020lbl.pdf
- See #1.
- Di Renzo, G. C., Tosto, V., & Tsibizova, V. (2020). Progesterone: History, facts, and artifacts. Progesterone In Obstetrics And Gynaecology, 69, 2–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2020.07.012
- Frequently Asked Questions. Abortion Pill Reversal. (n.d.). https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/abortion-pill-reversal/faq
- Nagy, B., Szekeres-Barthó, J., Kovács, G. L., Sulyok, E., Farkas, B., Várnagy, Á., Vértes, V., Kovács, K., & Bódis, J. (2021). Key to Life: Physiological Role and Clinical Implications of Progesterone. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(20), 11039. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011039
- FDA. (2023, January). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation?sm_guid=NTU1NzgyfDYzMDE1OTM2fC0xfGppbUBha2ZhbWlseS5vcmd8NTY4OTI4MXx8MHwwfDE5OTYwMDk4OHwxMDg2fDB8MHx8NTQ3NzI2fDA1
- Delgado, G., Condly, S. J., Davenport, M., Tinnakornsrisuphap, T., Mack, J., Khauv, V., & Zhou, P. S. (2018). A case series detailing the successful reversal of the effects of mifepristone using progesterone. Issues in law & medicine, 33(1), 21–31.
- Turner, J. V., Garratt, D., McLindon, L. A., Barwick, A., & Spark, M. J. (2024). Progesterone after mifepristone: A pilot prospective single arm clinical trial for women who have changed their mind after commencing medical abortion. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 50(2), 182–189. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.15826
- See #7.