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Abortion Pill vs Morning After Pill: What’s the Difference?
There are a lot of misunderstandings regarding the distinction between the abortion pill and the morning-after pill. It is important to remember that these two medications have somewhat different functions. The primary distinction is that the abortion pill ends an undesirable pregnancy, whereas the morning-after pill prevents pregnancy.
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In order to clear the confusion, we will examine these medications in more detail, discuss how they work, and highlight the key distinctions between them.
Table of Contents
What is the confusion all about?
Several individuals believe that the morning-after pill prevents a fertilised egg from implanting. It means that they believe that the morning-after pill leads to an early pregnancy termination and abortion. The progestin hormone found in the morning-after pill, however, will prevent ovulation and fertilisation rather than implantation. Additionally, you are considered pregnant once implantation has taken place. Due to this widespread misconception, many women are hesitant to take them.
Abortion pills, on the other hand, contain mifepristone, which induces abortion and helps to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Abortion pills can only be consumed up to 11 weeks(77 days), and after that, a surgical abortion is necessary. The choice between a surgical abortion and a medication abortion sometimes also depends on the individual’s preference. Some may prefer surgical abortion as the entire procedure is done in a single day, and an individual can return to regular activities quickly. While others may prefer to proceed with the abortion process from the comfort of their homes, according to their own timings.
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What is a morning-after pill?
Morning-after pill, also called emergency contraception pills, is a type of emergency birth control pill. In the event of the failure of a regular birth control method, the morning-after pill helps to prevent pregnancy after intercourse. Morning-after pills are not considered the regular method of birth control, but as a backup option only. Two commonly used morning-after pills include levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate.
When is the morning-after pill recommended?
- Didn’t use a birth control method before having sexual intercourse.
- When you might have experienced a birth control failure, such as a missed dose of the birth control regimen, forgetting to take birth control pills, a broken condom, etc.
- Non-consensual sexual intercourse, such as rape.
- Missed multiple birth control pills
- Unplanned or unprotected sex
- It is most effective when taken as soon as possible (ideally within the first 24 hours).
- Effectiveness decreases as the number of hours after sex increases.
Morning-after pills, such as unwanted 72, prevent the process of ovulation, which refers to the delay or prevention of the egg release from the ovaries. You must keep in mind that they do not help to end an already existing pregnancy. You need to take an abortion pill to terminate an already existing pregnancy. Mifepristone and misoprostol are authorised to be used to end an early pregnancy, under medical abortion. Common side effects of emergency pills include fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, delayed or early periods, and mild abdominal cramps. These side effects are temporary and usually mild.
When should you use the morning-after pill?
You may consider the morning-after pill in the following circumstances
- You had unprotected sex
- You forgot or delayed your usual birth control pills
- The condom slipped or broke
- You were forced into intercourse(rape)
You should remember that these pills are for emergencies, and not everyday contraception.
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What is an abortion pill?
Medical abortion, also known as abortion pills, refers to the procedure to terminate the pregnancy without having to abort the fetus. MTP Act 2021 allows the consumption of two tablets, including misoprostol and mifepristone, under medical abortion. The first pill, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone production, eventually causing the uterus lining to break down. Misoprostol, the second pill, then clears the uterus by causing cramping and bleeding. Depending on the individual condition, misoprostol can be taken either right away or up to 48 hours after taking the first pill, i.e., mifepristone.
Abortion pills are used to terminate an unwanted pregnancy for up to 11 weeks(77 days) after the woman’s last menstruation. Abdominal pain, changes in body temperature, dizziness, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues are a few of the common temporary side effects experienced after taking the abortion pills. Sometimes, the patient may experience bleeding and spotting for a week or more.
When is the abortion pill considered?
The abortion pills are considered when
- The pregnancy is already confirmed
- You are within the legally approved time limits to terminate the pregnancy
- Consultation with a healthcare professional has already been done
Unlike emergency contraception, this is a medical procedure, not a last-minute preventive option.
Side effects of abortion pills
The abortion pill triggers a process similar to a very early miscarriage. Effects may include:
- Cramping
- Bleeding (often heavier than a period)
- Passing clots
- Temporary chills or fever
- Nausea or diarrhoea
Because of the process involved, medical supervision and follow-up are advised to ensure safety.
Abortion pill vs morning-after pill: Which one should you choose?
The decision depends entirely on an individual's condition. If you’ve had unprotected sex, the morning pill is a suitable option for you. It prevents pregnancy before it starts. However, if the pregnancy has already been confirmed and you want to discontinue, the abortion pill is a suitable method. Also, if you want to avoid future emergencies, long-term birth control methods are safer and more reliable.
| Morning-after pills vs abortion pills | ||
| Morning-after pill | Abortion pill | |
| Purpose | Prevents pregnancy | Terminates an existing pregnancy |
| When to use | Within hours/days after the sex | After the pregnancy is confirmed |
| Function | Delays ovulation | Stops the pregnancy hormones |
| Already pregnant | Doesn’t work | Works |
| Legal supervision | Widely accessible | Regulated under the MTP Act |
| Side-effects | Mild & temporary | Strong side effects, similar to early miscarriage |
Conclusion
The core difference between the morning pill and the abortion pill is that the morning pill prevents the pregnancy, and the abortion pill ends the existing pregnancy. Their timings, mechanisms, advantages & disadvantages differ completely. Understanding these differences is essential for making informed, safe, and confident reproductive health decisions. Consult the highly skilled and experienced team of doctors at Pristyn Care for individualised help.
FAQs
- How effective is the morning-after pill in India?
The morning-after pills are most effective when consumed within 24 hours. Although they are less effective than regular birth control pills, they work well up to 72-120 hours.
- What pill can I take to prevent pregnancy after 72 hours?
You should take the levonorgestrel as a two-tablet product to be sure of preventing pregnancy. Take one tablet as soon as possible, within 72 hours after the protected sexual intercourse, and the second dose should be taken 12 hours later. When taken within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse, levonorgestrel works best.
- How to prevent unwanted pregnancy?
To prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, you must use a contraceptive pill as soon as possible. Using effective birth control methods, such as hormonal pills, implants, IUDs, etc., is helpful to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, too.
- What are contraceptive pills for women and how do they work?
Contraceptive pills for women are hormonal tablets that prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and thinning the uterine lining. These pills are different from emergency contraception.
- Are there after-sex pills to prevent pregnancy?
Yes, there are after sex tablets to avoid pregnancy, commonly known as emergency contraceptive pills in India. These should ideally be taken within 24 hours, and can be effective up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
- Which are the best birth control pills in India?
The best birth control pills in India include popular prescription options such as combined oral contraceptives and progestin-only pills. The ideal choice depends on factors like age, health conditions, and doctor recommendations.
- Is there any natural method to stop pregnancy after sex?
No, there are no scientifically proven natural methods that can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. The only effective options after sex are medical emergency contraceptives or medical procedures recommended by a doctor.
- Can you take birth control pills before sex?
You can start birth control pills before sex, but they don’t work immediately. Standard pills require two to seven days to protect you.
- When can you start birth control pills after pregnancy?
Depending on the pill type and breastfeeding, you should begin birth control pills after pregnancy. Progestin-only pills are safe immediately postpartum, even while breastfeeding. Combined pills are usually started after 4-6 weeks because of clotting risks and milk-supply concerns.
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