Mifepristone abortion pill
Mifepristone or RU-486 is an antiprogestogen that is used to terminate an unwanted pregnancy
The antiprogestogen drug mifepristone works by blocking the effects of progesterone, making the cervix easier to open
Mifepristone is used together with a prostaglandin analog pill such as misoprostol or gemeprost in medical abortions
Guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists describe medical abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol as effective and appropriate at any gestational age
Misoprostol abortion pill
Misoprostol or Cytotec is used to induce an abortion together with mifepristone or methotrexate
The prostaglandin analogue (misoprostol) can be taken by mouth, under the tongue, or placed in the vagina.
It causes cervical ripening with softening and dilation of the cervix and completes the abortion process
The pill Misoprostol was developed in 1973 and it works by binding myometrial cells to cause strong myometrial contractions leading to expulsion of tissue.
How safe & effective are abortion pills
When the abortion pills Mifepristone and Misoprostol are used together they are 95% effective in terminating a pregnancy
Medical abortion pills have been on the market for more than 30 years (Mifepristone developed in 1980 & Misoprostol in 1973)
Both Misoprostol and Mifepristone are on the WHO list of essential medicines, the most effective and safe medicines
Millions of medical abortions are performed every year making abortion one of the safest medical procedure in the world if done in line with standard medical practices
The Pharmacology of Mifepristone
Mifepristone is a steroidal antiprogestogen (IC50 = 0.025 nM for the PR), as well as an antiglucocorticoid (IC50 = 2.2 nM for the GR) and antiandrogen (IC50 = 10 nM for the AR).
It is also known as 11β-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-17α-(1-propynyl)estra-4,9-dien-17β-ol-3-one
Mifepristone has substitutions at the C11β and C17α positions and double bonds at the C4(5) and C9(10) positions
How abortion pills work
The first abortion pill (mifepristone) works by blocking the hormone progesterone causing the lining of the uterus to break down inducing an abortion
The second abortion pill (misoprostol) makes the womb contract, causing cramping, bleeding and the loss of the pregnancy
Medical abortion pills can be used up to 24 weeks of pregnancy and gestation influences they side effects of the pills.
When to use the abortion pill
For under 9 weeks you can take the medical abortion pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) at the same time or take them 24-hours apart. Taking them together has more side effects.
If you are more than 9 weeks, you take mifepristone and misoprostol 24-hours apart for a home abortion
The mifepristone is taken by mouth while misoprostol is either placed in the vagina or between the cheek and gum
Advantages of abortions pills
Medical abortions pills has a success rate of over 95% and there is no anesthesia or surgery involved
It may feel more natural, like a miscarriage or a heavy menstruation and can be done from the comfort of your home
Abortion pills have been used safely for more than thirty years in the USA, Europe and many other places around the world
Abortions pills side effects
The side-effects of abortion pills may include light to heavy bleeding, pain, dizzyness, nauseua, or vomiting.
For most women the bleeding and cramping starts after taking the second medical abortion pill known as misoprostol
You may see large blood clots or tissue at the time of the abortion as the pregnancy gets expelled from the uterus
Why Women Choose Abortion
Other than the fact that women should have complete control over their reproductive health and body in general
The top reasons are negative impact on the womens life, financial stability and unwillingness to be a single parent
Pregnancy timing has lifelong impact on a woman’s ability to raise a family and earn a living.