Someone asked us: How does an abortion feel?
An abortion feels different depending on which type you choose. With the abortion pill, you’ll experience strong cramping similar to very bad period cramps that comes in waves for several hours, along with heavy bleeding, nausea, and sometimes chills or dizziness. With surgical abortion, you’ll feel brief cramping during the 5-10 minute procedure, but many people don’t remember much if they choose sedation. Both methods cause physical discomfort, but most people find the experience manageable with proper pain medication and support. The abortion pill causes cramping that starts 1-4 hours after taking the second medication. The pain builds gradually, peaks during tissue passage, then decreases significantly once the pregnancy passes. Most describe it as intense menstrual cramps with pressure in the lower abdomen and back. You’ll also have heavy bleeding with clots, which can feel overwhelming but is normal. Some people experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or feeling feverish from the medications. Understanding what happens during medication abortion helps you know what physical sensations to expect. Surgical abortion feels like brief, sharp cramping during the procedure itself. You’ll feel pressure and discomfort as the provider dilates your cervix and removes the pregnancy tissue, but it only lasts 5-10 minutes. With local anesthesia alone, you’re awake and aware but the area is numbed. With IV sedation, you feel drowsy, relaxed, and may not remember the procedure. After the procedure, you’ll have moderate cramping for a few hours that feels like period cramps, which is much less intense than medication abortion cramping. Good pain management makes both types of abortion much more comfortable. Emotionally, abortion feels different for everyone. Some people feel relief, others feel sadness, and many feel a mix of emotions. Your feelings are valid whatever they are. Physically, most people feel tired for a day or two but recover quickly. If you’re unsure which method feels right for you, learning about abortion pills versus surgical abortion can help you decide based on what type of experience you prefer.
Need compassionate abortion care? Serenity Choice Health provides medication and surgical abortion services throughout Illinois with personalized pain management and emotional support. Schedule your confidential appointment today to discuss what to expect and which option feels right for you.
Board-Certified Physician & Senior Medical Correspondent
Dr. James Carter is a board-certified physician and a lead clinician at Serenity Choice Health, where he specializes in reproductive health access and medication abortion protocols. With a career dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care, Dr. Carter bridges the gap between complex clinical guidelines and patient-centered health communication. In his dual role as a Medical Writer and Researcher, Dr. Carter has become a prominent voice in the reproductive health space. He is a contributor on Quora and various health publications, where he provides clinical insights into the legal landscape of telehealth, Shield Law compliance, and modern medication abortion standards. His writing focuses on empowering patients with the data they need to make informed, private decisions about their health.
