More than half of all abortions in the United States are now done using the abortion pill, a medication regimen that typically includes the prescription of two different medications that work together to end a pregnancy and the life of an embryo (3). The abortion pill process, also known as a medication or chemical abortion, carries both physical and emotional side effects. Some women express regret or a desire to change their mind after taking one or both of these medications.
The main point we want to express in the blog today is that women have a choice about what medications they put in their bodies. They should never be pressured or forced to have a chemical abortion (or abortion of any type for that matter), and they also have a right to know that there is an option to potentially reverse a chemical abortion if done in time (1).
What is Abortion Pill Reversal (APR)?
APR is the administration of progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone that is produced by a woman’s body during pregnancy, via either a pill, vaginal suppository, or intramuscular injection in order to counteract the effects of the first part of a chemical abortion: mifepristone.
Because mifepristone (the first pill you are prescribed to take as part of a chemical abortion) is a progesterone antagonist (4), by administering supplemental progesterone, APR is often able to counteract mifepristone’s effects and prevent it from cutting off an embryo from the uterine wall and the nutrients it needs to survive.
Essentially, mifepristone and progesterone work opposite one another. If your body has or is given enough progesterone, it will cancel out the effects mifepristone may have on your body and your baby (1).
How soon after the first pill (mifepristone) do I need to take APR?
For best results, APR should be initiated within 24 hours of taking mifepristone. However, successful abortion pill reversal has taken place up to 72 hours after taking mifepristone. The sooner APR is administered, the higher the chance of successful reversal (1).
How effective is APR?
According to a 2018 study done on Abortion Pill Reversal, administration of high-dose oral progesterone yielded a 68% success rate, and administration of intramuscular progesterone (injection) yielded a 64% success rate (2).
This study deemed APR to be safe and effective, and also found that babies born after the implementation of APR had no higher risk of birth defects than the general population (2).
Are there side effects?
Progesterone may cause sleepiness, lack of energy, lightheadedness, dizziness, gastrointestinal discomfort and headaches in some women. (These may be symptoms women are already experiencing during pregnancy due to their own natural increase in progesterone!) However, increasing fluid intake often alleviates these symptoms after taking APR (1).
Your prescribing provider should let you know any additional instructions for the specific progesterone dose and route of administration you are prescribed.
*An important note: if you are allergic to peanuts or peanut oil, let your provider know as some forms of progesterone may contain peanut oil. An alternative form of progesterone may be given to you if you have an allergy (1).
How do I start the process?
If you have taken the first pill (mifepristone) of a chemical abortion regimen and are seeking abortion pill reversal, you can call the 24/7 APR Hotline at (877) 558-0333 or connect via chat on the APR website.
An on-call Healthcare Professional will ask you some basic questions to see if a reversal is possible. The Healthcare Professional will then connect you with a doctor or medical provider in your area to start treatment if that is your choice.
For more information about the abortion pill itself and things to consider prior to taking it, check out our What to Know About the Abortion Pill blog.
Facing an unexpected pregnancy and don’t know where to start? Our client advocates and nurses are happy to help with options counseling and figuring out next steps. We are here to help inform you about the resources available to you and connect you to the professional help you need. Reach out to us today at 770-222-6911 or schedule an appointment with us here.
*The information contained in this blog is for educational and informative purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice and care of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.*
Sources:
(1) Abortion Pill Reversal
(2) A Case Series Detailing the Successful Reversal of the Effects of Mifepristone Using Progesterone
(3) Abortion Surveillance — United States, 2021 | MMWR (cdc.gov)
(4) FDA Information About Mifepristone
The main point we want to express in the blog today is that women have a choice about what medications they put in their bodies. They should never be pressured or forced to have a chemical abortion (or abortion of any type for that matter), and they also have a right to know that there is an option to potentially reverse a chemical abortion if done in time (1).
What is Abortion Pill Reversal (APR)?
APR is the administration of progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone that is produced by a woman’s body during pregnancy, via either a pill, vaginal suppository, or intramuscular injection in order to counteract the effects of the first part of a chemical abortion: mifepristone.
Because mifepristone (the first pill you are prescribed to take as part of a chemical abortion) is a progesterone antagonist (4), by administering supplemental progesterone, APR is often able to counteract mifepristone’s effects and prevent it from cutting off an embryo from the uterine wall and the nutrients it needs to survive.
Essentially, mifepristone and progesterone work opposite one another. If your body has or is given enough progesterone, it will cancel out the effects mifepristone may have on your body and your baby (1).
How soon after the first pill (mifepristone) do I need to take APR?
For best results, APR should be initiated within 24 hours of taking mifepristone. However, successful abortion pill reversal has taken place up to 72 hours after taking mifepristone. The sooner APR is administered, the higher the chance of successful reversal (1).
How effective is APR?
According to a 2018 study done on Abortion Pill Reversal, administration of high-dose oral progesterone yielded a 68% success rate, and administration of intramuscular progesterone (injection) yielded a 64% success rate (2).
This study deemed APR to be safe and effective, and also found that babies born after the implementation of APR had no higher risk of birth defects than the general population (2).
Are there side effects?
Progesterone may cause sleepiness, lack of energy, lightheadedness, dizziness, gastrointestinal discomfort and headaches in some women. (These may be symptoms women are already experiencing during pregnancy due to their own natural increase in progesterone!) However, increasing fluid intake often alleviates these symptoms after taking APR (1).
Your prescribing provider should let you know any additional instructions for the specific progesterone dose and route of administration you are prescribed.
*An important note: if you are allergic to peanuts or peanut oil, let your provider know as some forms of progesterone may contain peanut oil. An alternative form of progesterone may be given to you if you have an allergy (1).
How do I start the process?
If you have taken the first pill (mifepristone) of a chemical abortion regimen and are seeking abortion pill reversal, you can call the 24/7 APR Hotline at (877) 558-0333 or connect via chat on the APR website.
An on-call Healthcare Professional will ask you some basic questions to see if a reversal is possible. The Healthcare Professional will then connect you with a doctor or medical provider in your area to start treatment if that is your choice.
For more information about the abortion pill itself and things to consider prior to taking it, check out our What to Know About the Abortion Pill blog.
Facing an unexpected pregnancy and don’t know where to start? Our client advocates and nurses are happy to help with options counseling and figuring out next steps. We are here to help inform you about the resources available to you and connect you to the professional help you need. Reach out to us today at 770-222-6911 or schedule an appointment with us here.
*The information contained in this blog is for educational and informative purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice and care of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.*
Sources:
(1) Abortion Pill Reversal
(2) A Case Series Detailing the Successful Reversal of the Effects of Mifepristone Using Progesterone
(3) Abortion Surveillance — United States, 2021 | MMWR (cdc.gov)
(4) FDA Information About Mifepristone
Posted in Abortion, Birth Control and Medications
Posted in abortion, abortion pill, abortion pill reversal, mifepristone, mifeprex, progesterone
Posted in abortion, abortion pill, abortion pill reversal, mifepristone, mifeprex, progesterone
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