Are Abortions Painful? Let’s Talk About It
One of the most common questions women ask before they get an abortion is “does it hurt?”
Every person’s pain threshold is different. Some women report mild cramps, while others describe stronger sensations. Factors such as the type of procedure, your medical history, and how far along the pregnancy is can all influence the level of discomfort you may feel. But there are some common experiences that women have that are pretty typical.
Pain During an Abortion
The pill doesn’t tend to be as simple as initial research thought it was. It is usually sold to women as a very painful period, but more information is coming out that abortions tend to be more painful than that. After taking the abortion pill, it's common to experience nausea, diarrhea and dizziness along with severe cramping and bleeding. Cramping often peaks three to five hours after taking the second medication and may last several hours. Some women also report vomiting repeatedly due to the nausea during this time.
While lots of research has been done on the abortion procedure itself, data is still lacking on the pain levels of abortions as mentioned before. According to a recent study from 2024, 40% of women who took the abortion pill ranked their pain as “severe” or at least an 8 out of 10, and 90% of the women surveyed rated their pain at least a 4 out of 10. The same study also revealed that most women felt under prepared for the amount of pain that their abortion caused. They went into it thinking that it would be as painful as severe menstrual cramps, but in reality, most women compared it to contractions during labor. In fact, the majority of women who experienced less pain had previously given birth vaginally.
Pain after an abortion
After either method, many women experience mild to moderate cramping for one to two days. Some report spotting or light bleeding for up to two weeks. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen often work well. Always follow dosing instructions on the label or those given by your provider.
Although pain is to be expected, there is a level of pain that should not be tolerated and should be taken as a sign that something is wrong. If you are still experiencing significant pain after 24 hours or find it difficult to return to your daily life, seek medical attention immediately. Other signs to watch for are a fever, chills and persistent nausea. Additionally, if you continue to soak through pads, that is not normal and needs to be addressed. Abortion complications can become life threatening if left untreated.
Informed Consent Is Knowing The Pain
JMJ Pregnancy Center is an advocate for informed consent to medical procedures, including abortions. This means that we believe in letting women fully know what to expect when it comes to abortions or the abortion pill. If you are considering getting an abortion, JMJ can answer any questions, provide factual information or give you access to pregnancy resources or materials. Call today to schedule an appointment.