When a woman is faced with the shock of an unwanted pregnancy, the additional strain of a long, stressful appointment in a strange setting and with unfamiliar people may be the last thing she wants to deal with. For these women, the abortion pill is an ideal option.
What is it?
The abortion pill can be a single drug or a combination. The one people are most familiar with is the antiprogesterone drug mifepristone, originally used to treat ulcers. This is often paired with a prostaglandin analog like misoprostol. If the pill is taken within the first 7 weeks of pregnancy, it is considered to be more effective than a surgical abortion.
Who Would Benefit?
Almost any woman in seeking an abortion could benefit from the pill, but especially the following:
Women with uterine fibroids
Women who live far from a clinic
Obese women without heart problems
Women who prefer the comfort and privacy of home
Women who would be unable to make the time for a surgical abortion
Women who would like to be able to have a loved one present for comfort
How Much Does it Cost?
A medical abortion tends to cost a little more than a surgical abortion, about 4 percent on average. However, many women find that the conveniences far outweigh the slight additional cost. Some health insurance policies will cover the price of the procedure.
What are the Risks?
The abortion pill is considered to be very safe with minimal risks. In rare cases, excessive hemorrhaging may occur which could result in the need for a blood transfusion. Also, there is a very slight risk that the drugs could fail to induce abortion, in which case the woman would require a surgical abortion. The most common complaints about the pill are the side effects which include nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea and severe cramping.