If you’ve recently taken the first pill in a medication abortion and but want to continue your pregnancy, you’ve likely seen the term “abortion pill reversal” appear in your searches. You might be wondering whether it’s real, whether it works, and whether it could be an option for you.
This article explores:
- How abortion pill reversal works
- Whether abortion pill reversal is FDA-approved
- Whether abortion pill reversal works with other medications (such as methotrexate)
- Abortion pill reversal success rates
- Where you can get help if you want to start the reversal process
Keep reading to learn more.
*Important Note: This article is for educational purposes only. As with any medical decision, we encourage you to speak with a licensed healthcare provider who can offer personalized guidance.
How Does Abortion Pill Reversal Work?
Abortion pill reversal aims to counteract the effects of mifepristone, the first dose in the abortion pill regimen. The reversal protocol is for those who have ONLY taken the first drug (mifepristone).
Abortion pill reversal treatment involves prescribing natural progesterone supplements to restore hormone levels, potentially allowing the pregnancy to continue. Natural progesterone competes with mifepristone for receptor sites. This may help the embryo stay attached to the uterus and continue to grow.[1]
After treatment has begun, a healthcare professional will schedule an ultrasound to see if the pregnancy is progressing. Patients continue to take the progesterone until they start prenatal care.
If you would like to start the reversal process, contact the Abortion Pill Reversal Network’s 24/7 helpline at (877) 558-0333 or email help@apr.life.
Is Abortion Pill Reversal FDA-Approved?
Abortion pill reversal as a protocol is not FDA-approved. The FDA has not reviewed or approved it as a formal treatment. However, it’s worth understanding what that means in context.
The progesterone used in the abortion pill reversal protocol is FDA-approved for other uses, such as supporting women with progesterone deficiency in early pregnancy. Doctors are legally permitted to prescribe FDA-approved medications off-label. This means they can prescribe certain medications for purposes beyond those officially approved by the FDA. This is a common and accepted practice across many areas of medicine.
Abortion pill reversal is real. While the protocol itself has not gone through a formal FDA approval process, the medications used within it are legal and regulated. This is why it is important to work with a knowledgeable, licensed medical provider if you are considering this option.
Can Abortion Pill Reversal Help After Methotrexate?
Another question that sometimes arises is whether abortion pill reversal can help in cases where methotrexate has been used instead of mifepristone. This is an important distinction to understand.
Methotrexate is a different type of medication sometimes used in early medication abortions, though it is used far less commonly than mifepristone. It is a chemotherapy agent that interferes with cell growth, including the rapidly dividing cells of a developing pregnancy. It is also commonly used to treat ectopic pregnancies and certain autoimmune conditions.
The abortion pill reversal protocol is specifically used to counteract mifepristone, not methotrexate. There is currently no established reversal protocol for methotrexate-based medication abortions.
How Effective Is the Abortion Pill Reversal Protocol?
Initial studies have shown that 68% of pregnancies treated with oral progesterone progressed normally to full term.[2]
Ideally, the process should be started within 24 hours of taking mifepristone. However, there have been successful cases where treatment was started within 72 hours of taking the first half of the abortion pill.[3]
*Important Note: Results vary, and success is not guaranteed. Every pregnancy and every body is different.
Have Questions About Abortion Pill Reversal? Contact Bakersfield Pregnancy Center.
Time is of the essence if you are considering abortion pill reversal, the most important thing you can do right now is speak with a medical professional as soon as possible.
You are not alone in this. Bakersfield Pregnancy Center is here to help you navigate it with compassion and clinical expertise. Give us a call at (661) 326-1907 to schedule a free ultrasound and start the reversal process today.
For 24/7 support, contact the Abortion Pill Reversal Network’s helpline at (877) 558-0333 or email help@apr.life.
Sources
- Delgado G, Davenport ML. Progesterone use to reverse the effects of mifepristone. Ann Pharmacother. 2012;46(12):e-pub ahead of print. https://stenoinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Article-Annals-of-Pharmacotherapy-APR.pdf
- Delgado G, Davenport ML. Progesterone use to reverse the effects of mifepristone. Ann Pharmacother. 2012;46(12):e-pub ahead of print. https://stenoinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Article-Annals-of-Pharmacotherapy-APR.pdf
- Abortion Pill Reversal. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/abortion-pill-reversal/faq