When you’re nervous about a possible pregnancy, understanding your options can feel urgent. You may have heard of the abortion pill and the morning-after pill, but these two drugs work in very different ways.
Before taking any drug that impacts your reproductive health, confirm whether you’re pregnant and how far along you are, known as your gestational age. Schedule a no-cost, private appointment to learn these details in a safe and professional space.
How Plan B Works
Plan B (the morning-after pill) contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone. It’s designed to delay or prevent ovulation, so fertilization doesn’t occur after unprotected sex or presumed contraception failure.
However, evidence does not suggest that Plan B can end an existing pregnancy. If a fertilized egg has already implanted in the uterus, this drug will not be effective. It’s meant to prevent pregnancy instead of terminating it.
It used to be thought that Plan B could be an abortifacient, but the FDA updated Plan B’s label in 2022 because there wasn’t enough evidence to suggest that Plan B could prevent an embryo from implanting in the lining of the uterus.
How the Abortion Pill Works
The abortion pill (also called a medical abortion) uses two prescription drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. The first drug blocks progesterone, which ends the pregnancy, and the second causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
Because this process involves significant vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping, it should only be taken under medical supervision. It is FDA-approved for use through ten weeks of pregnancy. Beyond this point, the risks of complications increase.
What Are the Differences?
The key differences are related to the purpose and ingredients.
Plan B is used to prevent pregnancy from starting, while the abortion pill ends one that has already begun. Both work by disrupting hormones, either by blocking progesterone or by introducing a synthetic progesterone into the body.
Even though experts no longer say that Plan B ends an existing pregnancy, it’s important to know that it is a high-dose hormone drug that can mess with your menstrual cycle. There are numerous personal stories on Reddit about hormonal aftereffects.
If you are considering the abortion pill, make sure to confirm your pregnancy with pregnancy testing and an ultrasound first. You don’t want to miss finding an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, or that you’re beyond ten weeks of gestation.
Visit Pregnancy Help Center
Before making any decisions, gather accurate information about your pregnancy status.
Schedule a no-cost appointment at Pregnancy Help Center to confirm your pregnancy and discuss your options in a private, compassionate setting.
FAQs
Does Plan B cause an abortion?
No. Plan B prevents pregnancy before it occurs by delaying or preventing ovulation. Available evidence suggests it will not work once implantation happens.
How do I know if I’m pregnant before taking anything?
Lab-quality pregnancy testing and an ultrasound can confirm pregnancy and how far along you are. It’s vital to know if you’re pregnant before taking either drug.
Are both pills safe to take without a doctor’s supervision?
Both can carry risks and side effects. It’s best to consult a medical professional before taking any serious drug that will impact your hormones and body in significant ways.
Pregnancy Help Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.