How many days does it usually take for a medical abortion to completely expel the pregnancy tissue?

Medical abortion—commonly referred to as “the abortion pill”—typically involves two medications: mifepristone followed by misoprostol. The timing of complete uterine evacuation varies among individuals, but most people pass the pregnancy tissue within 24 to 48 hours after taking misoprostol. In clinical studies, approximately 85–90% of individuals complete the process within one week, and over 95% do so within two weeks. Bleeding and cramping usually begin several hours after misoprostol administration and may persist for several days to up to two weeks, though the heaviest bleeding generally occurs in the first few days. It is essential to follow up with a healthcare provider—typically via ultrasound or serum hCG testing—about 1–2 weeks after the procedure to confirm completion and rule out complications such as incomplete abortion or retained products of conception. Persistent heavy bleeding (soaking more than two maxi pads per hour for two consecutive hours), severe pain unrelieved by medication, fever above 38°C (100.4°F), or foul-smelling vaginal discharge warrants immediate medical evaluation.