Abortion pills are used to terminate unwanted pregnancy. These pills are taken as an alternate to the in-clinic medical abortion. Abortion pill can be taken only if you are under 49 day pregnancy.
Medical abortions seem to be more appealing to women as it can be done in privacy of one’s home. Even though it is more intimidating than the surgical abortion but there is certain short-term as well as long term effects of abortion pills.
Bleeding for Prolonged Period
Prolonged vaginal bleeding is normal after undergoing medical abortion. The bleeding can continue for extended period ranging from two to six weeks. Therefore, anaemic women must not take abortion pills.
Severe Pain
Most women have severe pain after medical abortion and can even require opium based pain medications for controlling it.
Incomplete Abortions
If the symptom of heavy bleeding persists then you stand high chances of incomplete abortion. It is essential to go for follow-up within two weeks of undertaking a medical abortion. This helps to confirm that the pill has successfully aborted the embryo. It is advisable to go for immediate surgery if the abortion is not completed.
Adverse Effect on Psychological Well Being
Post abortion woman goes through very disturbing phase. Long term effects of abortion pills also include emotional imbalance. For instance, depression accompanied recurrent suicidal thoughts are also common in women after having abortion.
Sleeplessness
Women who have undergone abortion needs to take adequate amount of rest. But abortion pills interrupts with the much needed sleep and contributes to long periods of nightmares.
Other effects of long term abortion pills
- increased risk of future ectopic pregnancies.
- reduced fertility.
- painful intercourse.
Rare complications of taking abortion pills
Endometritis and pelvic inflammatory diseases are the rare but severe complications of taking abortion pills. Six-week antibiotics course is advised after administration of mifepristone in order to avoid pelvic infection.
- Endometritis: Inflammation and irritation of the lining of the uterus.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: this disease is characterised by inflammation of uterus.
Abortion pills must never be taken in case of ectopic pregnancy (when embryo implants outside uterine cavity or womb) as it can endanger life of the patient. Even though severe effects of abortion pills are not common but the best way is to take them under medical supervision.
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