What’s the Difference Between the Abortion Pill and Plan B?

Although both are emergency contraception, there are some key differences between the abortion pill and plan B, also called the Morning-After pill. 

One occurs after the pregnancy has started and the other occurs before fertilized eggs are implanted in the uterus.

How the Abortion Pill Works

The abortion pill is actually a series of two pills taken after the pregnancy has been confirmed by an ultrasound. 

One stops the pregnancy from growing and the other, usually taken 48 hours later, empties the uterus by forcing it to contract and expel the pregnancy and uterine lining. 

Side Effects of Abortion Pill

Any medical procedure will always pose a type of risk. Here is a list of potential side-effects listed by the Mayo Clinic: 

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

How Plan B Works

You must take this pill shortly after having had unprotected sex. However, the key to its success is that it must also be taken before conception, so it cannot prevent a pregnancy that has already been implanted. 

For Plan B to work effectively, you should take the pill no more than 72 hours after sex, but if the fertilized egg has already been implanted, it is too late. 

Side Effects of the Plan B Pill:

According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms typically last only a few days, but some of the potential side-effects include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
• Lower abdominal pain or cramps

What is My Best Option?

Plan B is a way to prevent pregnancy while the abortion pill terminates an existing pregnancy. 

If you are a woman who is 25 years or under, or a woman who is 25 or older with a new partner, it’s best to get tested for STIs regularly to guarantee your sexual health. Click here to learn more about STIs.

If you believe you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and are still considering your options, we offer no-cost pregnancy tests and ultrasound referrals where you can also discuss your potential options.

Every woman deserves to have confidential support in making her medical decisions and we are here to help.