If you think you may be pregnant and are considering your options, you may have questions about Plan B and the abortion pill. Although both are sometimes confused with one another, they are not the same and are used for very different purposes.
Schedule a free, confidential pre-abortion exam and consultation at Woman to Woman Health Center to discuss your options in depth, without judgment. We also provide pregnancy verification services and information about your options so you can make a confident decision about your next steps.
And read on to learn more about the differences between Plan B and the abortion pill.
How Plan B Works
Plan B is also known as the morning-after pill and contains a synthetic hormone called levonorgestrel.
Levonorgestrel prevents or delays ovulation so the egg cannot be fertilized when taken within 72 hours of having sex.
The FDA updated Plan B’s drug label in December 2022 to clarify that Plan B does not act as an abortifacient. This means it cannot end an existing pregnancy.
Plan B can affect your hormones; some side effects can include tiredness, nausea or vomiting, breast tenderness, cramping or lower abdominal pain, and irregular or heavier bleeding.
How the Abortion Pill Works
The abortion pill involves two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for a pregnancy to continue. Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours after and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through cramping and bleeding.
The abortion pill is FDA-approved through 10 weeks of gestation and carries health risks, including heavy vaginal bleeding, incomplete abortion, and infection, and it requires oversight from a licensed provider.
An ultrasound is an important step before considering abortion so you can see how far along the pregnancy is, where the pregnancy is developing, and if there is cardiac activity. These details can affect your health and options.
Understanding the Difference
The difference between Plan B and the abortion pill is timing and purpose. Plan B is used to prevent pregnancy before it starts, while the abortion pill ends an existing pregnancy. They also have different side effects, risks, and considerations.
If you think you might be pregnant, Woman to Woman Health Center is here to help you with our pregnancy verification services and can give you accurate information about your options, including abortion. Getting STI/STD screening is also important to protect your reproductive health.
We Are Here For You
If you are unsure whether you could be pregnant or have questions about your pregnancy, our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and provide a safe, judgment-free space.
Woman to Woman Health Center provides confidential pregnancy services for a wide range of medical and non-medical concerns.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment, or call or text 972-636-4460.