What you need to know about getting an abortion Pills?
In a context where access to surgical abortion is limited, self-managed abortion has the potential to help women realise their right to terminate pregnancies in privacy and from the comfort of their own homes. # First Trimester Abortion, # Second Trimester Abortion
A medication abortion (also called abortion pills) is when you take pills to end a pregnancy. The combination of the medications, mifepristone (Mifeprex) and misoprostol (Cytotec), is FDA-approved to end pregnancies that are within 70 days (10 weeks) of your last menstrual period. If you live in a state where abortion is legal, a medication abortion is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy.
Over half of all abortions in 2020 were medication abortions. But up until recently, there were extra barriers to getting an abortion pill prescription filled. In January 2023, the FDA made a change in how you can get abortion pills. Retail pharmacies are now able to dispense them, just like they would with other prescription medications. So how does this change things? Let’s dive in and find out.
What are abortion pills?
Abortion pills consist of two different medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone is taken first to block progesterone, a hormone needed for a pregnancy to grow. Misoprostol is taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes your uterus to push the pregnancy tissue out of your body.
Can you legally get abortion pills?
The answer to this question depends on where you live. Medical abortions are legal, you can now get abortion pills from a certified retail pharmacy if you have a prescription from a certified provider. There are certain requirements a provider must meet in order to be certified. So not every healthcare provider is able to prescribe mifepristone.
Do you need a prescription for abortion pills?
Yes. You always need a prescription from a certified healthcare provider to get abortion pills. In some states, you may be able to get a prescription through an online consultation and take your abortion pills at home. In other states, you may need to be seen in person before being able to get a prescription for a medication abortion.
What is a Telemedicine Abortion?
Telehealth for abortion pills involves a remote consultation with our nurses, providing access to the medications—mifepristone and misoprostol—necessary to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a key hormone for pregnancy, while misoprostol induces uterine cramping, mimicking a period-like process to remove the pregnancy.
