A medical abortion has several names: medication, chemical, and the abortion pill. This type of abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy, rather than a surgical procedure.
The team at Mosaic Sexual Health Clinic wants to protect your health and safety, so we’ve put together some facts you might not have known about a medical abortion. If you want additional information or want to talk with someone, call or text us today.
Fact 1. Not Everyone Can Use the Abortion Pill Method
This method isn’t for everyone. Experts suggest a medical abortion isn’t a safe option if you:
- Are too far along in your pregnancy (the FDA approves the use of the drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy only)
- Are allergic to the drugs used
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place
- Have a pregnancy developing outside your uterus (ectopic pregnancy)
- Use long-term corticosteroids for such things as asthma, eczema, or arthritis
- Take a blood thinner, have a blood clotting disorder, or have significant anemia
- Don’t have access to emergency care
Fact 2. Heavy Bleeding and Severe Cramping Are Likely
Every woman’s abortion experience is unique, but all abortions involve some amount of bleeding and cramping. Side effects of the abortion pill method include heavy cramping and bleeding with blood clots. One of the risks is heavy bleeding that won’t stop.
Fact 3. The FDA Recommends Not Purchasing the Drugs Online
The FDA highly regulates the first drug in the abortion pill method and recommends not buying it online. Many online distributors are from foreign countries that do not follow the same protocols as the United States.
When you purchase drugs online, you have no guarantee of their safety, effectiveness, or quality. Only certified providers can prescribe the first abortion pill drug in the United States.
Fact 4. There Are Mental Health Risks
An article, published in the National Library of Medicine, reviewed studies of women’s mental health following an abortion. Here is the conclusion:
- Abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.
- The abortion experience directly contributes to mental health problems for at least some women.
- There are risk factors, such as pre-existing mental illness, that identify women at greatest risk of mental health problems after an abortion.
Fact 5. Be Sure to Confirm Your Pregnancy First
Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, it is possible to get a positive pregnancy test days or weeks after a miscarriage.
The only way to determine if you are pregnant or if you have miscarried is with an ultrasound.
Get a Free Pre-Abortion Screening
At Mosaic, we believe knowledge is power, and the more knowledge you have about your pregnancy and a medical abortion, the better. That’s why we offer a free and confidential pre-abortion screening.
Your screening begins with free lab-quality pregnancy testing. If your test is positive, we’ll provide a free limited ultrasound to look for a uterine pregnancy and a fetal heartbeat. The ultrasound confirms whether the fetus is developing or if you have miscarried.
In addition, we offer low-cost STI testing and treatment. Many STIs do not have immediate symptoms, but you should treat an STI before an abortion to protect your sexual health.
To schedule your appointment, fill out our confidential Contact Form, or call or text us at (850) 765-4955. We’re here for you.
At our clinic, we do not perform or refer for abortions, but we are committed to being an affordable first step so that you can receive the information and clarity you need prior to such a big decision.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.