Dear babyjaid,

No. Trying to end a pregnancy without the guidance of a medical professional may cause serious damage to a woman's body and health.

You may be confusing emergency contraception (EC) — also known as the "morning-after pill" — with the abortion pill. EC helps prevent pregnancy; the abortion pill terminates pregnancy.

EC can reduce the risk of pregnancy when started within 120 hours (five days) of unprotected sex. EC prevents a pregnancy before it occurs. (Pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg implants itself in the lining of the uterus.)

Abortion ends an existing pregnancy. Within the first 63 days (nine weeks) of pregnancy, women have two options for ending a pregnancy — the abortion pill or abortion by vacuum aspiration. The abortion pill ends a pregnancy with medicine. Vacuum aspiration is a way to end pregnancy by emptying the uterus with suction and medical instruments. It can be done anytime in the first trimester.

For more information about the abortion pill and abortion by vacuum aspiration, check out First-Trimester Options. To find a Planned Parenthood health center near you, call 1-800-230-PLAN.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.