Mail-order abortion is another name for receiving medication abortion drugs in the mail. If you are considering mail-order abortion, here are three things to know.
1. Your Pharmacy Matters
You may have seen websites online offering abortion pills for sale. However, these may not be legitimate and could come from unregulated sources.
Ordering drugs this way can be dangerous, as you do not know what you’re getting and if the dosages are correct.
The FDA does not recommend purchasing mifepristone (the first drug in the medical abortion process) online. Instead, abortion drugs should be dispensed by the abortion provider or by a pharmacy that received the provider’s prescription submission.
2. There Are Safety Precautions You Can Take
Before moving forward with mail-order abortion, take safety precautions by learning critical health details about your pregnancy and receiving STD testing and treatment.
Safety Step #1: Ultrasound
An ultrasound will reveal…
- How far along you are (your pregnancy’s gestation)
- The location of your pregnancy (if it’s in the uterus and not ectopic)
- The viability of your pregnancy (if it has a heartbeat and you haven’t miscarried)
If an ultrasound identifies natural miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, then you may need to receive a medical treatment to prevent any health complications.
If your pregnancy is more than ten weeks along, then the abortion pill might not be the safest procedure for you because the FDA has only approved the drugs through this window of time.
Safety Step #2: STD Testing and Treatment
Having an existing STD during an abortion procedure can increase the risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease. Since STDs are common and don’t always show signs or symptoms, it is important to receive testing and treatment before moving forward with abortion.
We offer STD testing and treatment for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis. Visit our clinic for this no-cost and confidential service.
3. Pre-existing Health Conditions Can Make the Abortion Pill Unsafe
According to the Mayo Clinic, medical abortion is not an option if you…
- Are too far along in your pregnancy
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place
- Have a suspected pregnancy outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)
- Have certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, and more
- Take a blood thinner
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care
- Have an allergy to the medicine used
Evaluating your personal health history is essential in ensuring your safety.
Free Services in Lansdale, Pennsylvania
We offer free pregnancy confirmation appointments at our clinic in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, along with STD testing. We can also answer your questions about pregnancy and your options.
Schedule a confidential appointment today!“CDC – STD Diseases & Related Conditions.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 Oct. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/std/general/default.htm.
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Mifeprex (Mifepristone) Information.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation
“Medical Abortion.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 29 July 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687.
“Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 30 Apr. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594.
