Abortion with pills is also commonly known as medical abortion, and it is a private and safe way to end an early pregnancy using just two medicines: mifepristone and misoprostol.

Here’s how they work:

• Step 1: Mifepristone 

This pill works to stop the production of the progesterone hormone, which keeps the pregnancy going. Without it, the uterine lining breaks down, and the pregnancy ends. 

• Step 2: Misoprostol (taken after 24-48 hours)

This medicine triggers uterine contractions, which cause bleeding and cramping when emptying the uterus, similar to a period or early miscarriage.

Most people complete the process at home in a few days. Symptoms such as bleeding, cramps, nausea, and exhaustion are normal. According to global health agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the pills are more than 95% effective when used within the first 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, and research in journals like BMJ Global Health and The Lancet supports this.

Citations:

WHO Abortion Care Guidelines (2022)