A: The abortion pill or medication abortion is one of two options for ending a pregnancy. Medication abortion is extremely safe and effective. It is most effective the earlier in pregnancy you take it.
What they are: The abortion pill is also known as medication abortion. It is two medications taken in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. They work to stop the pregnancy and empty the uterus. Medication abortion is usually managed at home using a combination of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
How they work: A person takes one mifepristone pill by mouth which blocks the hormone progesterone. This medicine prevents the pregnancy from growing. Then the person takes misoprostol 24-48 hours after mifepristone. It works to empty the uterus by causing cramping and bleeding for several hours, like an early miscarriage.
Safety: The abortion pill is very safe and effective. It is most effective (98-99%) in ending the pregnancy if taken in the first 8-9 weeks. If the pregnancy is 9-12 weeks, you may need a second dose of misoprostol. If a medication abortion does not work, you may need an aspiration or surgical abortion. Fewer than 1 woman in 100 needs any further treatment.
The rare complications are excessive bleeding or infection, but they are almost always treatable with medical care. Having an abortion doesn’t increase your risk for breast cancer, affect your fertility, or cause problems for future pregnancies. The abortion pill is the most common way to have an abortion. Millions of people have used it safely for the past 30 years.
Availability: Most people in the U.S. have medication abortions at home rather than at a clinic. A federal court ruling in July 2020 allowed providers to mail their patients abortion pills. In December 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration permanently removed all in-person requirements and made it easier for pharmacies to stock the drugs.
Medication abortion is also less expensive. Abortion pills by telemedicine cost about $150 to $350, compared to $500 to $700 on average for an in-clinic abortion. Funds to help you pay for an abortion are also available sometimes through your local clinic, Planned Parenthood, or through a number of national organizations such as The National Abortion Fund.
Access: With telemedicine you do not have to travel to a clinic. A healthcare provider will interview you and make sure that medication abortion is the right choice for you. They will give you instructions on how to use the medication and what to expect. They will then order the medication and have it sent to you wherever you want to receive it. Or you can pick it up at a pharmacy. The healthcare provider will remain available to you to answer questions or if a problem arises during and after the abortion. You should schedule a follow-up visit a week or two later to confirm that you are no longer pregnant.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion in June, 14 states have made abortion illegal or imposed tight restrictions. Many women and pregnant people need to travel to other states where abortion is legal to end a pregnancy. It is legal to travel out of state to get an abortion. If you live in a state where abortion is banned, there are still options for you. To find out what your options are, call The Abortion Hotline, Plan C, or carafem. See below for information on how to find help.
Stay safe.
Love, Those Nerdy Girls
