Alright, let’s clear up a misconception that comes up all the time in reproductive health. People often confuse the morning-after pill with the abortion pill. Despite what you might have heard in heated debates, seen on X or other social media, or read in the news, these medications are not the same. They aren’t even close.
The morning-after pill and the abortion pill differ in the way they work in your body. Confusing the two could lead to unnecessary stress or hesitation when you need to make a quick decision. We will try to clear up why the confusion exists and give you the facts so you won’t need to stress over it.
Emergency Contraceptives: Plan B, Morning After Pill & Ella
The confusion between Emergency Contraception and the Abortion Pill is understandable because there is more than one type of emergency contraceptive pill. The original emergency contraceptive, Plan B, contains one active ingredient - 150 mg of Levonorgestrel. Its action is to delay the release of your egg from your ovary. It does not interfere with a pregnancy that’s already conceived.
Plan B and Morning After Pill both contain 150 mg of Levonorgestrel and both act in the same way to delay the release of the egg. They both prevent pregnancy by delaying the release of the egg if it has not yet been released. Since there is no egg available for the recently delivered sperm to fertilize, pregnancy is avoided. It’s that simple
More recently, there has been another kind of emergency contraceptive that uses Ulipristal acetate (available in pharmacies with the name Ella) instead of levonorgestrel. Unlike Plan B and Morning after Pill, Ella needs a doctor’s prescription and can only be obtained in pharmacies or clinics. Whereas, Plan B and Morning After Pill must be taken within 72 hours to have an effect, that window with Ella is 5 days from the time of unprotected intercourc=se.
Plan B and Morning After Pill have one big advantage: no delay, and it can be bought without a prescription at pharmacies and convenience stores.
Abortion Pill
The abortion pill in the USA is not one pill. It’s a package of 2 pills, each with a different ingredient. They are taken a few hours apart (not at the same time). They are used to discontinue a pregnancy that is already established. You need to have a positive pregnancy test to use it, and you need a doctor’s prescription to get it.
The following comparison is made between EC pills that contain only levonorgestrel, like the Morning After Pill and the Abortion Pill.
Timing of Use
- Morning-after pill (Plan B, Morning After Pill by Cadence OTC): These meds work best when taken as soon as possible after having unprotected sex, ideally within 72 hours
- The key is to take one of these pills before pregnancy has a chance to begin.
- Abortion pill (mifepristone and misoprostol): You’ll take these when a pregnancy has already occurred. It’s typically offered up to about 10 weeks of pregnancy, though some healthcare providers may allow use a little later depending on circumstances.
How Each Works
- Morning-After Pill & Plan B: These over-the-counter medications contain one hormone (levonorgestrel 150 mcg ) that can temporarily delay ovulation. No egg released means no egg to fertilize, and pregnancy is avoided.
- Abortion pill: This is a combination of two pills. The one you take first, mifepristone (also known as RU-486), stops one of the pregnancy hormones from working, and the second tablet, containing misoprostol, causes the uterus to cramp and eventually expel the pregnancy from the uterus.
Be prepared; order your morning-after pill today.
- Morning-After Pill and Plan B do not cause abortion. If you’re already pregnant, it won’t be too helpful.
Is Morning After Pill by Cadence the Abortion Pill?
The short answer? No.
Here’s why:
- Morning After Pill® (levonorgestrel): An emergency contraception that prevents pregnancy before it starts by delaying the release of the egg from the ovary, so the sperm just swim around and find nothing to fertilize. If someone is already pregnant when they have unprotected intercourse, Morning After Pill® does not harm the pregnancy and certainly cannot end the pregnancy.
- The Abortion Pill (RU-486 aka mifepristone): acts by ending existing pregnancies that are less than two months old. The other pill in the medication abortion package enables the cramping (contractions) that expel the pregnancy from the womb (uterus).
We hope this clear information allows each person to come to their own decision about the answer to the question above.
Simply put: taking emergency contraception will not cause an abortion, nor does it harm or stop an already existing pregnancy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) have both confirmed this,based on the extensive and thorough medical investigation, and have published that information more than 10 years ago.
How Does the Morning After Pill Work?
Time to get a little science-y, but don’t worry, a medical degree isn’t required to understand it.
When you take a morning-after pill, it releases hormones that delay ovulation. Normally, your ovaries release an egg around the middle of your menstrual cycle. If sperm are hanging around waiting for that special egg, fertilization can occur. However, the morning-after pill interrupts that process by delaying the egg’s release and preventing fertilization.
Just an FYI: Cadence OTC’s Morning After Pill has a shelf life of about two years, so you can keep it handy in your nightstand or medicine cabinet until you’re ready to use it. It’s FDA-approved and available over-the-counter, so there’s no need to visit your healthcare provider for a prescription. Just think of it as an emergency backup, like jumper cables for your car.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
Unlike EC, the abortion pill is a two-step process that happens after pregnancy has started.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the two drugs involved:
- Mifepristone: This pill blocks progesterone, a hormone essential to both the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy can’t continue to develop.
- Misoprostol: This pill is taken a day or two after mifepristone and causes some mild cramping and bleeding as it empties the uterus. It’s very similar to a miscarriage, but medically managed.
This process is highly effective, with an over 95% success rate within the first 10 weeks. Most people report cramping, bleeding, and sometimes flu-like symptoms, but these are temporary and expected.
Medical supervision is crucial here, although access has been expanding. In some states, telehealth providers can prescribe the abortion pill and mail it to you. In others, strict laws limit access. Knowing the rules where you live is critical, as the legal landscape is constantly evolving.
Emergency Contraception vs. Medication Abortion: Legal and Access Considerations
There are a few legal things to consider when it comes to accessing EC and medication abortion.
Here’s what you need to know:
Is Emergency Contraception Legal?
Absolutely. Morning-after pills, both brand-name and generic, are legal and available over the counter at your nearest pharmacy or convenience store in the United States. This includes both brand-name and generic emergency contraception options that contain levonorgestrel, such as Plan B One-Step®, Morning After Pill by Cadence OTC, and FDA-approved generic equivalents. No prescription is necessary, and there are no age restrictions.
Medication Abortion Access
Now, this is where things get a bit complicated. Due to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision in 2022 that overturned federal abortion protections, medication abortion access varies depending on which state you live in. Some states allow telehealth services to prescribe and ship the abortion pill, while others have heavy restrictions or ban it altogether.
FAQs: Addressing Common Concerns
Still have some questions about the morning-after pill vs. the abortion pill? Hopefully, you find your answers below.
Does the morning-after pill cause abortion?
Nope. It stops an egg from being released, rather than ending an existing pregnancy.
What is the difference between Plan B and RU-486?
Plan B is prevention, while RU-486 (mifepristone) is the termination of a pregnancy. Just think of it as before vs. after pregnancy.
Can I take the morning-after pill if I’m already pregnant?
Yes, but it really won’t do anything, and it also won’t harm your already existing pregnancy either.
What are the side effects?
The morning-after pill may cause mild nausea, fatigue, headache, and possibly some changes in your next period. The abortion pill can cause stronger cramping, heavier bleeding, and short-term flu-like effects such as chills or fever.
If you’re seeking accurate, research-backed information on the morning-after pill or the abortion pill, Cadence OTC has your back. We cut through all the misinformation to ensure you know how to make decisions about your reproductive health.
Why This Distinction Matters
Here’s why knowing the difference between the abortion pill and the morning-after pill is so important:
- Myth-busting helps reduce stigma: When people think that EC is an “abortion pill,” they might hesitate to buy it or, even worse, shame others for using it. Correct information helps normalize emergency contraception as what it really is: a very safe, effective backup option after a “whoopsie.”
- Accurate information means timely decisions: With EC, the clock is ticking. If you’re second-guessing whether it is right or wrong, you might miss that crucial window when it’s the most effective.
- Cadence OTC’s role: By making the morning-after pill accessible and providing clear information, we help cut through all that noise so you can make the most confident decisions.
Simply put: knowledge is power. The more we can separate fact from fiction, the easier it becomes to access care without any fear, judgment, or unnecessary delay.
At the end of the day, this is the real bottom line: the morning-after pill is not the same as the abortion pill. They’re different medications with different purposes, different timing, and different effects on the body.
And if you don’t take anything else from this guide, just remember these two things:
- The morning-after pill prevents pregnancy.
- The abortion pill (mifepristone and misoprostol) ends a pregnancy.
When it comes to your reproductive health, it’s so crucial to understand the differences between these meds. Always use reliable, trustworthy sources, such as the FDA, World Health Organization (WHO), Planned Parenthood, and ACOG, when seeking guidance on the best choices for your reproductive health.
Learn more about safe, accessible contraception options with Cadence OTC.
