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The most frequent form of abortion in the United States in recent years is abortion pills, or chemical abortion. According to a 2024 Guttmacher Institute report, up to 63% of all abortions in the United States are now medication or chemical abortion.
Understanding how abortion pills work is vital as they become more accessible. Be aware of the possible hazards associated with taking without doctor supervision, especially when placing an internet order.
What are abortion medications?
Basically, pill abortion involves two medicines used to end a pregnancy. Abortion pills are usually taken in two steps by taking two different medications: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. First, mifepristone inhibits progesterone, a vital hormone required to sustain a pregnancy. Later, misoprostol induces uterine contractions and expels pregnancy through the vagina.
FDA approval allows for medication abortion technique up to ten weeks into pregnancy typically spanning about 24 hours or sometimes nearly 48 hours overall. Source
Though the FDA now approves of chemical abortion, it does not follow that it is safe or that it should be taken without acquiring all the knowledge and under medical supervision and oversight.
Physical Risks to Think About
There are several risks associated with at-home abortion tablets. Taking the medications has potential risks and side effects on a person’s health, and according to the FDA, it is not advised for every person.
Consideration of physical complications include but are not limited to:
- Incomplete abortion. Parts of the pregnancy remain in the body, and a doctor may need to remove them surgically.
- Infection. If doctors ignore it, this issue might become serious.
- Too much blood loss. Emergency medical care might be needed for you.
- Ectopic pregnancy, which is a serious medical emergency usually requiring surgery.
Emotional Hazards and Side Effects to Keep in Mind
After taking the abortion pills, many women report they feel relief, regret, sadness, or guilt. Feeling alone or having limited information about the process can increase these emotions. Some women complete the abortion process alone without support at home.
Important insights regarding the link between abortion and higher suicide risk
From recent research published in 2025 by Dr. David Reardon, the correlation of increased suicide attempts and abortion history is noted. According to a national survey of 2,829 women aged 41–45, roughly 34.7% of those with a history of abortion reported having attempted suicide at some point during their lifetimes. On the other hand, women who had live births but had no history of abortion, miscarriage, or difficult pregnancies showed the lowest suicide attempt rates.
Many women who felt compelled or coerced into an abortion decision particularly emphasized their suicidal thoughts and self-harming behavior related directly to their abortion experiences, thus increasing the risk. The reported incidence of suicide attempts increased to 46.2% in this subgroup.
A balanced approach moving forward
Request a free abortion information consultation today if you think you suspect you may be pregnant. The first step is confirming pregnancy with a medical grade pregnancy test and ultrasound, which can offer vital information including gestational age, pregnancy viability, and whether the pregnancy is situated in the uterus (i.e., eliminating ectopic pregnancy).
Free services from licensed medical professionals at Anchor of Hope can help you feel empowered. Informed decision-making is based on knowledge of every point of view, hazard, and possible outcome.
