A medical abortion, also known as a medication abortion, utilizes doctor-prescribed medications to terminate an early pregnancy. While colloquially referred to as “taking an abortion pill,” this term can be somewhat misleading.
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Typically, a medical abortion entails the administration of two drugs: the first taken orally, and the second either orally or via vaginal insertion. This option is viable for pregnancies within the first 11 weeks, corresponding to 77 days since the onset of the last menstrual period. Some physicians who perform abortions limit the procedure to pregnancies within the first nine weeks.
In contrast to surgical abortion, a medical abortion does not entail surgery or anesthesia. Instead, the abortifacient medications are administered either in a healthcare facility, such as a doctor’s office, or in the comfort of one’s home. It is imperative to adhere strictly to the doctor’s instructions regarding the timing and method of medication intake.