The abortion pill method is a medical abortion using two very powerful drugs. The first drug in a medical abortion blocks progesterone. A pregnancy requires progesterone to remain healthy, growing, and implanted in the uterus. Without progesterone, the pregnancy can no longer survive.
The first drug in a medical abortion blocks progesterone so the pregnancy can no longer stay implanted and grow. The second drug causes the uterus to contract in order to expel the pregnancy out of a woman’s body through the vagina.
The Mayo Clinic lists these as potential risks of a medical abortion:
Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
Heavy and prolonged bleeding
Infection
Fever
Digestive system discomfort