Birth Control Overview (cont.)

Abortion

A drug called mifepristone (also known as RU-486) can block a hormone called progesterone that is needed for pregnancy to continue, if an egg has been fertilized and implanted in your uterus. By taking this drug (and another one called misoprostol), a pregnancy can end if it has been 49 days or fewer since your last menstrual period.

These drugs are given only by a doctor and only by certain doctors who are trained to diagnose problems that may develop such as ectopic pregnancy. You will be asked to sign a statement indicating you understand you are ending a pregnancy.

Once you take on oral dose (pill taken by mouth) of mifepristone, you will be given misoprostol 2 days later to cause your uterus to contract and expel the embryo through the vagina.

You will experience cramping and bleeding, and you must return to your doctor a few times for examination. 
 
This method is not a preventive form of birth control. For more information on pregnancy termination, see Abortion.