What is a Methotrexate & Misoprostol abortion?

Hannah,

My friend said she was going to have an abortion, and that it would be a MTX.  Could you let me know more information on what exactly that is?  Thanks in advance, Shelli.

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Shelli,

An MTX abortion is one involving Methotrexate & Misoprostol.  It’s a two step medical abortion procedure performed up through the first 7 weeks of a person’s pregnancy.  This same procedure is also used as a treatment for ectopic pregnancy which occurs when a fertilized egg attaches in a place other than the uterus such as in a fallopian tube.

The MTX abortion procedure takes place in the following steps:

• First, methotrexate is taken either orally in tablet form or injected
• The methotrexate then interferes with placenta growth and this causes the placenta to separate from the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the uterus
• Around 5 to 7 days after the methotrexate is taken, misoprostol is then taken either orally or inserted vaginally
• Misoprostol then causes contractions which cause your body to expel the contents of the uterus
• If the MTX abortion procedure is not successful, a surgical abortion will be required to complete the process.

An abortion involving Methotrexate & Misoprostol usually involves 3 visits to an abortion provider over the period of several weeks.  During the first & second visits, the medications are given.  The third visit is a follow up appointment typically scheduled no more than 20 days after the second visit to make sure the procedure was successful.  If an MTX abortion procedure is not successful, then a surgical abortion is required to complete the process because a fetus will most likely not develop normally after being exposed to these two powerful drugs.

Women who are early in their pregnancy may choose a Methotrexate & Misoprostol abortion as an early pregnancy abortion method not involving the use of surgery.  An MTX abortion is most effective when performed within the first 7 weeks of pregnancy.

MTX abortion procedures are affective over 90% of the time.  Injected Methotrexate & vaginally applied Misoprostol have been found to be most effective in contrast with the same medications taken orally.  Over 60% of pregnant women will find their pregnancies terminated within the first 24 hours of taking Misoprostol–though a second dose of the drug may be necessary.  In other cases, an MTX abortion procedure may take up to 21 days to prove effective-a time span greater than other abortion procedures.

A woman experiencing an abortion involving Methotrexate & Misoprostol is likely to experience syptoms similar to a miscarriage.  These syptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, cramping & vaginal bleeding as clots & tissue from the aborted fetus pass from the uterus.  Additional side effects of an MTX abortion include those not seen: emotional, psychological & more.

I hope this clarifies things up for you, Shelli.

Have a great day,

Hannah