There are conflicting reports about the safety of taking abortion drugs at home. Abortion providers say it is safe, while women report severe pain and extreme bleeding. An abortion is a serious medical decision with the potential for physical and emotional consequences.

The following are some reasons why ordering abortion drugs online and having an abortion at home may not be safe.

The FDA Does Not Recommend Buying Abortion Drugs Online

The first drug in the abortion pill regimen is called mifepristone. The FDA highly regulates this drug. Only certified providers can prescribe it.

The FDA does not recommend buying mifepristone online. Many online companies offering the drug are from foreign countries and do not have the same safeguards as those in the U.S. By bypassing safeguards, the drugs are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness, and quality.

Some Women Don’t Qualify For the Abortion Drugs

By ordering the abortion pill online, you also bypass essential healthcare oversight. The Cleveland Clinic says a medical abortion isn’t a safe option if any of the following reasons apply:

  • You are too far along in your pregnancy. The FDA approves the drugs only through 10 weeks of pregnancy. It’s vital to know how many weeks you have been pregnant because the further along you are, the less effective the drugs are.
  • You are allergic to either mifepristone or misoprostol, the two drugs used.
  • You have an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy forms outside the uterus and can be extremely dangerous, even life-threatening. You need to see your healthcare provider immediately if you are diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy.
  • You use long-term corticosteroids. Corticosteroids treat health conditions such as asthma, eczema, and arthritis.
  • You have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place.
  • You have a blood-clotting disorder, significant anemia, or chronic adrenal failure.
  • You don’t have access to emergency care.

How do you discover the answers to some of the above health issues? By getting an ultrasound. An ultrasound determines the gestational age of your pregnancy, the location of your pregnancy, and whether or not your pregnancy is viable (growing).

You also want to review your medical history and current medications with your healthcare provider. Take time to talk about your mental health, as well. Research shows abortion has caused negative mental health issues for some women.

Get a Free and Confidential Ultrasound at PCS Health

Schedule a free and confidential pregnancy confirmation appointment with PCS Health. Your appointment consists of free pregnancy testing and an ultrasound.

Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we can give you factual, medically based information regarding abortion procedures, the side effects to expect, and potential physical and emotional risks.

You owe it to yourself to get the facts before moving forward. We’re here to help you get as much information about your pregnancy and options as possible. Contact PCS Health today. We look forward to meeting with you.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

*PCS Health does not perform or refer for abortions.