Abortion Pill Mechanics and Risks and Implications for SWO

Introduction:

Abortion pill use has risen since Roe V Wade was overturned. Now abortion pills by mail are flooding into every state, despite local restrictions. The Guttmacher Institute estimates that in 2023, medication was used for almost two thirds (63%) of all abortions. Many have confused emergency contraception (EC) pills (morning after pill) with medication abortion pills, but EC does not terminate a pregnancy. EC is a contraceptive that prevents pregnancy by delaying or inhibiting ovulation and will not affect an established pregnancy. 

Given the devastating increase in abortion pill use, it is critical we in sidewalk outreach (SWO) ministry understand the mechanics of how the abortion pill works, the dangers and risks, and what to say to women we encounter considering abortion.

How Abortion Pills Work

The process involves two distinct steps with these medications: 

Mifepristone: This is the first pill taken. It works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is essential for a baby to continue developing. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, and the baby cannot grow.

Misoprostol: This is the second medication, typically taken 24 to 48 hours after the first pill. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and the cervix to soften, which leads to cramping and bleeding, similar to a heavy period or an early miscarriage. This process expels the pregnancy tissue and baby from the uterus.

How Does Abortion Pill Reversal Work

Abortion pill reversal (APR) works by administering high-dose progesterone to counteract the first abortion pill, mifepristone, ideally within 24–72 hours. Progesterone restores necessary hormones, aiming to support the pregnancy. Proponents claim success rates between 62%–68%.

The Mechanism: A medication abortion uses mifepristone to block progesterone (a hormone necessary to maintain pregnancy) and later misoprostol to terminate it. APR works by flooding the body with extra progesterone to counteract the effect of the mifepristone.

The Protocol: It involves using bioidentical progesterone, administered via capsules (oral/vaginal) or injection, often prescribed by physicians in the Abortion Pill Rescue Network.

Timing: The treatment is most effective if started within 24 hours of taking mifepristone, though reversals have been reported up to 72 hours later, or even after a failed second abortion pill (misoprostol).

The Abortion Pill Risks and Harms to Women

Insurance Data Reveals One in Ten Patients Experiences a Serious Adverse Event.

(Jamie Bryan Hall, Director of Data Analysis, Ethics and Public Policy Center

Ryan T. Anderson, President, Ethics and Public Policy Center

April 28, 2025)

Harms to Women from Mifepristone Abortion

10.93% of women who undergo a mifepristone abortion experience serious adverse events within 45 days, far

higher than the <0.5% rate reported in clinical trials on the drug label.

Types of Serious Adverse Events Identified (Among 865,727 mifepristone abortions, 2017–2023)

• Hemorrhage – 3.31% of patients (28,658 cases)

• Emergency room visits related to abortion – 4.73% (40,960 cases)

• Repeated surgical abortion – 2.84% (24,563 cases)

• Infection – 1.34% (11,707 cases)

• Hospitalization (abortion-related) – 0.66% (5,699 cases)

• Ectopic pregnancy – 0.35% (3,062 cases)

• Transfusion – 0.15% (1,257 cases)

• Sepsis – 0.10% (824 cases)

• Other life-threatening events (e.g., cardiac, pulmonary, thrombosis, anaphylaxis, surgery) – 0.22%

(1,956 cases)

• Other abortion-related complications – 5.68% (49,169 cases)

**Note**: Totals exceed 10.93% due to some patients experiencing multiple events.

Breast Cancer Link

The information below is excerpted from  Breast Cancer Prevention Institute.

To read this article in full, visit AChildNotAChoice.org/breast-cancer.

Carrying a pregnancy to full-term gives women natural resistance to breast cancer. During pregnancy, the breast tissues, called lobules, go through four stages of development. (A lobule is a unit of breast tissue consisting of a milk duct and glands.) During adolescence, the majority of lobules are Type 1 and Type 2, which are immature and susceptible to cancer. Throughout the first trimester of pregnancy, the number of Type 1 and 2 lobules rapidly increases. This means that the breast has more lobules susceptible to cancer. However, in the second trimester, the breast lobules start maturing into Type 4 lobules, which are cancer resistant. By the end of the third trimester, 85% of the breast has fully matured. Only 15% of the lobules remain immature and cancer-susceptible, leaving fewer opportunities for cancer to start. After birth and weaning, Type 4 lobules regress to Type 3. There is evidence this transition to Type 3 is permanent, providing life-long cancer resistance.

How does abortion affect this process? 

A premature delivery before 32 weeks doubles the risk of breast cancer because it leaves the breast with more places for cancer to start. In the same way, abortion also stops the progression of breast lobule development. This prevents the development of Type 4, and subsequently Type 3, cancer-resistant lobules. Induced abortion of a healthy pregnancy results in increased risk of breast cancer for the mother because more Type 1 and 2 lobules remain. According to the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, a recent study found that, “2 or more abortions increased risk for breast cancer by 610% and family history of breast and ovarian cancer increased risk by 325%.”(1),(2)

Chemical Abortion 

Chemical abortion pills cause the termination of a healthy pregnancy. Chemical abortions take place in the first trimester (through week 10) when Type 1 and 2 breast lobules are forming rapidly. Since chemical abortions and surgical abortions both prematurely end healthy pregnancies, they carry the same risks for breast cancer.(3)

What about miscarriages?

Approximately 90% of miscarriages occur in the first trimester. However, the vast majority of natural miscarriages in the first trimester do not increase the risk of breast cancer. In these cases, pregnancy hormones are lower than those of a healthy pregnancy due to either a fetal or ovarian abnormality. Therefore, a breast may not have grown more, or at least grew very few, Type 1 and 2 lobules (sites where cancer starts) in response to pregnancy hormones.

What Should We Call out in SWO?

• If you took the pill, go to Abortionpillreversal.com God is giving you a second chance! You can successfully reverse the effects of the abortion pill. There is no greater risk to the baby’s health than in any childbirth. Abortion pill reversal.com!
• Young ladies, we understand that you have been told that the abortion pill is safe, but there are significant risks. Eleven percent of women who take the pill will experience significant adverse effects, including hemorrhaging, hospitalization, and transfusions. You may even see the baby delivered alive, with a beating heart. Imagine the horror of that. The Breast Cancer risk from abortion increases by 610%! And of course the risk to the baby is death.
• The pill may seem like an easy way to end the problems you face, but actually the emotional and spiritual devastation following abortion can be severe. The suicide rate following abortion is 6-7 times higher than that of women who deliver their baby safely. You cannot ignore God’s clear commandment thou shall not murder without consequence. But we are here offering you hope and tangible help….