Myths and Facts About Medical Abortion: What You Should Know

A medical abortion done at home is safe during an early pregnancy. This fact is supported by several evidence-based studies and clinical trials on abortion pill use.

However, due to large bias toward ‘pregnancy termination’ by certain groups, we hear myths and false claims about pregnancy abortion tablets, deeming them dangerous, ineffective, posing health risks, and a lot more.

This blog intends to trace the common abortion pill myths and introduce facts instead:

Myth 1: Abortion Causes Breast Cancer

Fact: The American Medical Association and the World Health Organization, along with other healthcare bodies affirm that women can end pregnancy safely using abortion pills.

• Thus, medical-based evidence proves that terminating a pregnancy with pills does not raise the risk of breast cancer.
• Rather several factors such as genetics, age, lifestyle habits, etc. account for the root of breast cancer disease.

Myth 2: Most People Regret Undergoing a Medical Abortion

Fact: 95% of candidates felt that abortion with Plan C pills was the right choice to end their early pregnancy.

• The fact above is based on data collected over the last 5 years. Here women who underwent medical abortion were analyzed on their abortion experience.
• The rumor that most people regret medical abortion after pregnancy termination is thus a misconception

Myth 3: Emergency Contraception and Medical Abortion Are the Same

Fact: Emergency contraception and abortion pills are not the same. Though related to pregnancy, both cater to different purposes.

• Emergency contraception or EC (such as levonorgestrel or ulipristal) stops a pregnancy from happening after an unprotected intercourse. An EC delays ovulation, restricts fertilization, and implantation.
• However, a pregnancy abortion tablet is used to expel the products of conception ‘after’ the pregnancy (gestational limit of 1 to 12 weeks).
• Thus, an Abortion Pill Kit serves the function of emptying the uterus of all the pregnancy portions, while EC does not let a pregnancy happen in the first place.

Myth 4: Only Major Physical Health Risks Justify Abortion

Fact: Physical health risks or life-threatening medical reasons are not the only reasons why women choose a medication abortion.

• A woman may buy abortion pills due to her educational or career plans, an unplanned pregnancy, or not prepared for the responsibilities of being a parent at the moment.
• Many even opt for a pregnancy termination due to relationship issues, financial strains, or other reasons.

Myth 5: Abortion Pill Use Causes Infertility, and Problems with Future Pregnancy and Delivery

Fact: a medical abortion does not lead to problems with future pregnancy, infertility, and difficulties during future childbirth or delivery.

• Authoritative bodies such as American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) confirms this fact.
• Rather, women who follow safe abortion pills procedure do not encounter complications with future pregnancy, as most ovulate within weeks after a successful pregnancy termination with pills.
• In some cases, ovulation can also happen as soon as 8 to 14 days after the Mifepristone+Misoprostol procedure. Thus, there is no long-term infertility caused by the pills.
• Long-term reproductive risks, if any, may occur due to untreated complications such as uterine injury, pelvic infection, etc. which are rare after an abortion.
• It is advisable to visit a healthcare professional for follow-up after a couple of weeks of using the abortion pills to rule out any health risks or incomplete abortion.

Myth 6: Medical Abortion is Always Extremely Painful

Fact: While moderate to severe abdominal cramping and pain are a part of a medical abortion, these side effects are easily manageable.

• The procedure to terminate pregnancy at home does not need to be unbearably painful. To reduce and manage the pain, one can take pain relief medicines such as NSAIDs and other analgesics.
• Applying a heating pad or hot water bag on the stomach, drinking warm herbal teas, and taking rest can give additional relief.

Myth 7: Abortion Causes Mental Health Damage

Fact: There is no scientific evidence which states that medical abortion necessarily leads to anxiety disorders, depression, or other psychiatric disorders.

• Rather a safe abortion pills process may restore peace of mind by giving relief from an undesired pregnancy.
• What could possibly cause psychological trauma or stress are social isolation, stigma, and coercion to continue an unwanted pregnancy.
• In case someone experiences any negative thoughts or feelings towards their pregnancy, they can seek professional counselling before or after seeking an abortion.

Myth 8: You Can Only Have a Medical Abortion in a Hospital

Fact: Self-managed abortions at home constitute over 63% of all the early abortions in the USA.

• Thanks to telehealth and virtual retail pharmacies, women can order abortion pills online, receiving the products at their home. It is not mandatory anymore that an abortion can only be achieved at a hospital.
• Moreover, telehealth providers provide consultation virtually to surpass the need of prescription. This allows women to get professional guidance online along with the essential abortion pills without any restrictions.
• Access to abortion medications may differ from a region to another as per the local regulations. It is important to stay aware of the local laws about medical abortion access to attain one legally.
• Since December 2021, the FDA has removed the requirement for in-person visit for abortion pills. Several telehealth platforms now dispense the pills.

Myth 9: At-home Medical Abortion Is Unsafe

Fact: An At-home Self-managed pregnancy terminations with authentic Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills are highly effective and not unsafe.

• Most studies confirm that abortion pills have a success rate of up to 98% when taken in early pregnancy (gestational limit is up to 10 to 12 weeks of conception).
• The chances of incomplete abortion and complications is 1-2% only.
• It is important for people to refer to accurate information about the medical abortion process, dosage, side effects management, precautions, and other necessary details before they buy abortion pills, in order to avoid mistakes and health risks.

Facts About Medical Abortion – The Truth Unveiled

1. FDA approves Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills for medical abortion for a pregnancy up to 10 weeks (70 days) of gestation.

   It has also approved generic forms of Mifepristone under the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program.

2. Obtaining the Pills: You can buy abortion pills online from telehealth services.

   Or, you can also get the medications at authorized hospitals, medical offices, and clinics.

3. Budget-Friendly:

   If you buy abortion pills via telemedicine, you can get the pills starting at $199 or even lower in case of discounts. The medicine cost varies from one provider to another.

4. The pregnancy should be intrauterine (not outside the uterus)

   It must be within the first 12 weeks or less. Confirm with a doctor if there are any contraindications, medical conditions, or interactions to be careful about.

5. Abortion Pills Dosage:

   A medical abortion involves use of two medicines, Mifepristone 200mg orally. After 24 to 48 hours, you can take Misoprostol pills buccally, sublingually, or vaginally.

   You may even self-initiate a pregnancy termination at home with Misoprostol pills only.

6. Action Mechanism:

   Mifepristone blocks progesterone hormone to separate pregnancy portions from the uterine wall. Misoprostol causes uterine contractions and cervical dilation to remove the pregnancy from the womb.

7. Expected Effects:

   Abdominal cramping and pain, heavy vaginal bleeding till the uterus empties, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, stomach upset, headache, tiredness, etc. These are manageable at home by adhering to care tips.

8. Time Taken for Completion:

   It may take 6 to 10 hours or up to 24 hours or more for all the pregnancy parts to be expelled from the uterus.

9. Safety and Effectiveness:

   You can safely get a medical abortion at home for early pregnancy. It is as effective as getting a surgical abortion in a clinic.

10. Serious Complications:

    Rare adverse effects happen in 1-2% of medical abortion cases.

    These consequences could be excessive bleeding, infection, incomplete termination, or other complications requiring additional medical assistance

11. Common Myths:

    Many people are under the impression that infertility, future pregnancy and delivery problems, and health risks are high after a medical abortion. However, scientific studies refute these misconceptions.