After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, abortion became illegal in some states and highly restricted in others. As a result, pregnant people have turned to the internet to learn about options like abortion pills, but the information they find isn’t always accurate.
AI-generated websites claiming to sell abortion pills instead misdirect readers to unauthorized sellers, scam websites, and crisis pregnancy centers, which don’t offer abortion care. Some of these websites also spread misleading or false information about the safety and efficacy of medication abortion.
The Public Good Projects, the parent organization of Public Good News, researched the most frequently searched questions about medication abortion in the past year. Read on for answers to those questions: how abortion pills work, how to get them, and more.
How do abortion pills work?
Medication abortion involves two medications—mifepristone and misoprostol—which work together to end an early pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone that allows a pregnancy to grow. Then, misoprostol prompts cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus. You can also have an abortion using only misoprostol.
Abortion pills work best when taken during the first 11 weeks of pregnancy. Taking them later in a pregnancy is less effective, and there’s a higher risk of complications. Use this calculator to find out how many weeks pregnant you are based on the first day of your last normal period. If you don’t know the first day of your last period, you may need an ultrasound or pelvic exam from a health care provider to determine how many weeks pregnant you are.
What are the side effects of abortion pills?
When you take misoprostol, you can expect cramping and bleeding within one to four hours. Most people will fully pass the pregnancy tissue within four to five hours. You may continue cramping for the next two days, and you may also have some bleeding and spotting for several weeks after.
Other potential side effects include heavy bleeding with large clots, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, and a mild fever or chills on the day you take misoprostol. If you develop a fever in the days after taking misoprostol, call your doctor, as this could be a sign of infection.
Where can I get abortion pills?
You can get abortion pills from a doctor, telehealth provider, family planning clinic, or abortion clinic. You can also get them through online providers without having a medical consultation or a prescription, but these websites are not regulated. Visit Plan C or MayDay Health to find reputable online sellers and learn how to legally order abortion pills in your states. State laws may dictate where and how you can access medication abortion.
In March, CVS and Walgreens, the largest pharmacy chains in the U.S., said that they will start providing the abortion pill mifepristone with a prescription at their stores in some states. While Walgreens will start providng the pill in a few of its stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois, CVS will do so at all their stores in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Both chains plan to eventually provide them in states where abortion is legal and pharmacies can legally dispense them. CVS and Walgreens will also monitor the possibility of offering abortion pills in states like Kansas, Montana, and Wyoming, where abortion bans or restrictions have been blocked by legal challenges.
When you’re seeking a clinic that provides medication abortion, beware of crisis pregnancy centers. These centers pose as normal abortion clinics, but they do not actually offer abortion services. Instead, they provide false information about abortion to discourage people from getting the procedure. Visit AbortionFinder.org to find a trustworthy abortion provider near you.
Is medication abortion legal?
Medication abortion is legal in many states. However, even in states where medication abortion is legal, restrictions may limit where, when, and how you can access abortion pills. You may be able to access medication abortion through a telehealth provider and have the pills mailed to your home, or you may need to see a physician in person.
In some states, if you are 17 or younger, you may also need permission from a parent, guardian, or older family member to access medication abortion. Learn about your state’s parental consent laws from Planned Parenthood.
If medication abortion is banned in your state, you can travel to another state where medication abortion is legal. You can also access abortion pills by mail, although there may be some legal risks involved. Visit Plan C or MayDay Health to learn how you can safely access abortion pills in your state.
If you have more questions about the legality of medication abortion in your state, contact the Repro Legal Helpline at 844-868-2812.
Are abortion pills safe? Do they work?
Decades of studies conclude that abortion pills are a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy. Abortion pills work about 87 to 99 percent of the time, depending on how far along the pregnancy is and whether you take both mifepristone and misoprostol. The risk of major complications is less than 1 percent.
How much do abortion pills cost, and are they covered by insurance?
If you have health insurance, your medication abortion may be fully or partially covered, or it may only be covered in certain circumstances. Contact your insurance provider to learn about your options.
Abortion funds may also help you pay if you’re under- or uninsured. In addition to paying for abortion services, some abortion funds also help patients pay for transportation, lodging, child care, and other expenses while seeking abortion services. Visit the National Network of Abortion Funds to find organizations that can provide financial aid.
Without insurance, abortion pills can cost up to $800. The average cost at Planned Parenthood is around $580.
What’s the difference between Plan B pills and abortion pills?
Plan B is an emergency contraceptive pill. It uses the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel to prevent pregnancy after birth control fails, and it’s recommended to be taken within three days after unprotected sex. Plan B pills cannot end a pregnancy. Abortion pills end a confirmed pregnancy.
Can a doctor tell if I’ve taken abortion pills?
The symptoms associated with medication abortion are indistinguishable from those of miscarriage. Unless you disclose that you’ve had a medication abortion, your doctor will not know for certain that you have taken abortion pills, even if you have blood tests or an ultrasound.
Are there natural alternatives to medication abortion?
Some cultures throughout history have used herbs and plants for abortions, but according to Planned Parenthood, there is not enough scientific evidence to show that these methods are effective or safe. Using herbs, plants, or other untested methods can potentially cause poisoning, an allergic reaction, or an incomplete abortion. Do not use abortion methods that have not been prescribed by a medical provider.
What is the abortion “reversal” pill?
Some websites and social media posts allege that taking progesterone after ingesting mifepristone will stop a medication abortion. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this is not a safe or proven way to reverse the effects of abortion pills. A 2020 study of this form of abortion “reversal” ended early when severe hemorrhaging occurred in three patients.
Additional reading:
- What you need to know about finding and taking the abortion pill
- Abortion pills may soon be available at pharmacies
- What’s the difference between the birth control pill, Plan B, and the abortion pill?
For more information, talk to your health care provider.