Mifepristone: Inducing abortion in early pregnancy
Mifepristone, also known as RU-486 or the “abortion pill,” is a drug used to induce abortion during the first 63 days of pregnancy. This drug blocks the action of progesterone, the main hormone responsible for maintaining pregnancy.
Progesterone plays an important role in maintaining pregnancy by inhibiting uterine contractions and preserving the placenta and embryo. Mifepristone interacts with progesterone receptors, blocking their activity and leading to changes in the endometrium of the uterus, which leads to embryo rejection. This drug also helps dilate the cervix and prepares it for a subsequent abortion.
Mifepristone is usually taken in combination with another medicine that contains a prostaglandin, such as misoprostol. Prostaglandin causes contractions of the uterus and helps expel the fertilized egg. Misoprostol is usually taken 48 hours after mifepristone. The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol provides a highly effective abortion, with a probability of expulsion of a fertilized egg from the uterus of about 95%.
A medical abortion procedure using mifepristone and misoprostol is usually performed under medical supervision and guidance from a physician. A woman should receive detailed advice from a medical professional to assess her situation and make an informed decision about having an abortion.
It is important to note that mifepristone is not a birth control and is not intended for regular use or to prevent pregnancy. It is used exclusively for medical purposes, in accordance with the laws and medical protocols of each country.
Like any medical intervention, medical abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol has its risks and side effects. Some of these include short-term hormonal changes, bleeding, lower abdominal pain, and nausea. A woman who decides to have a medical abortion should be aware of the possible consequences and seek medical help if complications arise.
In conclusion, Mifepristone is a drug that induces abortion in early pregnancy by blocking the action of progesterone. In combination with prostaglandin, mifepristone provides highly effective abortion. However, the use of this drug should be under the medical supervision and guidance of a qualified physician, and every woman should receive detailed advice before using it.
Mifepristone is a synthetic antigestagenic drug for medical termination of pregnancy. Effectively used both at home and in medical institutions. The concentration of the active substance in the blood rises very quickly within 24 hours after administration, goes through the necessary decay period and is eliminated from the body within a couple of days.