Though the abortion pill is highly effective, it doesn’t work in every case. Maybe you’re still experiencing pregnancy symptoms or maybe you simply have a gut feeling that something isn’t right.

Whatever the case may be, our team at Metropolitan Medical Associates is here to help.

So how do you know if you’ve had a failed medication abortion? And what do you do next?

Read on to learn more.

How Does a Medication Abortion Work?

The abortion pill is a two-step process. The first pill is mifepristone, which blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain a pregnancy.

The second pill is misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract and empty.

After taking both pills, it’s common to experience cramping and bleeding. It’s also normal to pass blood clots or pregnancy tissue.

The amount of bleeding varies from person to person. Don’t use this as the sole factor in determining whether you’ve had a successful abortion or not.

How Often Does the Abortion Pill Fail?

As with any medication, the abortion pill isn’t 100% effective. Success rates vary depending on many different factors, including how far along the pregnancy is, history of prior pregnancies, and if the medication was taken as directed.

The two-pill abortion is usually 95-98% effective when taken within the first seven to eight weeks of pregnancy. Effectiveness drops to 93-95% when taken between eight to ten weeks.

When used after ten weeks, the failure rate increases even more.

What Are the Signs of a Failed Medication Abortion?

One of the biggest clues that the abortion pill may not have worked is continued pregnancy symptoms. If you’re experiencing breast tenderness, nausea, fatigue, or other pregnancy symptoms, it’s worth contacting our team.

Another potential sign is little to no bleeding after taking misoprostol. This medication causes the uterus to get rid of all tissue, so bleeding should occur.

Though it can give you peace of mind to take a pregnancy test after taking the abortion pill, a positive test doesn’t necessarily mean you’re still pregnant. Pregnancy hormones like hCG can remain elevated for many weeks, even after a successful abortion.

The most accurate way to know if the abortion worked is a negative urine pregnancy test as well as your menstrual cycle returning.

What Do I Do After the Abortion Pill Failed?

A failed medication abortion doesn’t mean you’re out of options. The next step is to contact Metropolitan Medical Associates.

We’ll schedule an appointment and determine whether the pregnancy is still active and then discuss what comes next. Depending on your circumstances, we may recommend another dose of medication or an in-clinic procedure.

After a failed abortion, time is of the essence. Don’t wait to seek further clarification or care, as this may limit your options.

When to Call a Doctor

Not all symptoms are signs of a failed abortion. Some are serious and can signal a complication.

You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience:

• Severe abdominal or back pain
• Very heavy bleeding
• A fever that lasts longer than 24 hours
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

If something seems off, don’t wait to get to a doctor. These symptoms are signs of an infection, which can be dangerous if left untreated.

Worried Your Medication Abortion Didn’t Work? We’re Here to Help!

If you’re unsure if your abortion worked, don’t spend hours wondering and worrying. Instead, reach out to our team so we can figure out the next steps.

We provide follow-up and ongoing support to ensure everything goes as expected.

Call our clinic at 201.429.9748 today to speak with a member of our staff or book an appointment below.