If you’ve looked up medical abortion (commonly known as the “abortion pill”), you’ve likely read that it causes vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. Some sources might even downplay it, suggesting it’s “not that bad” or similar to a heavy period.
But that’s not entirely true.
Medical abortion involves two powerful drugs that force your body to expel a pregnancy, a process that causes significantly more bleeding and pain than a typical period. The amount of bleeding you experience often depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
So, how do you know when bleeding crosses the line from “normal” to “too much”? Recognizing the signs is crucial to protecting your health—whether you’re considering a medical abortion or have already taken the pills and are unsure what to expect.
Why Does Medical Abortion Cause Bleeding?
To determine how much bleeding might be too much, it’s important to understand how the abortion drugs work—-and why they cause bleeding.
The first drug, mifepristone, is a progesterone blocker. Without this necessary hormone, your pregnancy will eventually detach from the uterine lining.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes intense uterine contractions to expel the pregnancy. The process inevitably results in heavy bleeding as the body passes pregnancy tissue.
How Much Bleeding Is Normal?
Every woman’s experience varies, but typically, after taking misoprostol, bleeding begins within a few hours. The initial flow is heavy and may include blood clots and pregnancy tissue. Over the next few days, the flow gradually decreases, though spotting can persist for weeks.
The exact amount of blood you can expect is difficult to predict since factors like your pregnancy’s gestational age will determine how much blood loss you experience.
However, no matter how much blood you initially lose, you should expect the blood flow to slowly lessen over the course of a few weeks.
How Much Bleeding Is Too Much?
Heavy bleeding can understandably feel alarming. To gauge whether you’re losing too much blood, pay attention to your sanitary pads:
- Seek emergency care if you soak more than two thick pads per hour for two consecutive hours.
- Watch for large blood clots or if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or weak, as these may indicate excessive blood loss.
What Causes Excessive Bleeding?
The main reason that you might experience too much bleeding after a medical abortion is that parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus instead of being expelled. This is one of the risks of medical abortion known as “incomplete abortion.”
Along with heavy and prolonged bleeding, incomplete abortion can also lead to a potentially life-threatening infection known as sepsis.
Why an Ultrasound Is Critical
If you’re considering a medical abortion, getting an ultrasound beforehand is essential. These drugs are FDA-approved only for pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestation. Beyond that point, the risk of complications, such as incomplete abortion, increases significantly.
An ultrasound confirms how far along you are, ensuring you make an informed decision and understand the potential risks.
Help is Always Within Reach
At Choices, we understand how overwhelming this process can feel. You don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re considering your options or need support after a medical abortion, we’re here to provide clarity, care, and resources.
Contact us today to learn how we can help.
*All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
Pregnancy Testing
To confirm your pregnancy, start with a no-cost pregnancy test from Choices. We will confidentially provide conclusive results at no cost to you.
STD/STI Services
During your pregnancy test, we also offer limited STD/STI screening. You and your partner receive no-cost treatment if you test positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, or syphilis.
Ultrasounds
If your pregnancy test is positive, complete the confirmation process with a no-cost limited ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms viability, the gestational age, and the location of your pregnancy.
Abortion Pill Reversal
If you’ve taken the first dose of the abortion pill method and regret your decision, it may not be too late to save your pregnancy. There’s a process called Abortion Pill Reversal, but you must act quickly.
Pregnancy Testing
To confirm your pregnancy, start with a no-cost pregnancy test from Choices. We will confidentially provide conclusive results at no cost to you.
STD/STI Services
During your pregnancy test, we also offer limited STD/STI screening. You and your partner receive no-cost treatment if you test positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, or syphilis.
Ultrasounds
If your pregnancy test is positive, complete the confirmation process with a no-cost limited ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms viability, the gestational age, and the location of your pregnancy.
Abortion Pill Reversal
If you’ve taken the first dose of the abortion pill method and regret your decision, it may not be too late to save your pregnancy. There’s a process called Abortion Pill Reversal, but you must act quickly.
