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.

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.  If you live around the El Dorado, Arkansas area (or even around Camden or Magnolia), feel free to stop by one of our women’s medical centers.

Have a great day,

Hannah