A large new study has revealed that more than 10% of women using the abortion pill mifepristone in the United States experience serious medical complications. This research, analyzing health data from over 865,000 women between 2017 and 2023, challenges the common belief that chemical abortions are largely safe.
The study found nearly 11% of women had at least one major adverse event within 45 days of taking the drug. These complications included severe bleeding, infections, emergency surgeries, and hospitalizations. Nearly 5% sought emergency care, while 3.3% suffered significant hemorrhaging, and 1.3% developed infections. In about 3% of cases, the abortion failed and required surgical intervention.
Experts link these troubling outcomes to recent policy changes that reduced safety regulations around abortion pills. Since 2016, the FDA has loosened restrictions, allowing abortions later in pregnancy and fewer in-person doctor visits. In 2023, pills began being mailed directly to patients, removing critical medical supervision.
Ryan T. Anderson, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), which published the study, said, “We’ve been told this is a safe and simple process, but these numbers tell a different story.” Jamie Bryan Hall, EPPC’s data director, warned that deregulation has left women isolated and unprepared for potential complications.
Doctors on the frontlines confirm these findings. Dr. Christina Francis, an OB-GYN, described cases where women unknowingly took the pill later in pregnancy, resulting in traumatic experiences requiring surgery. A recent British study also found nearly half of women reported more pain than expected and felt their concerns were downplayed during consultations.
The study’s authors call for a return to stricter safety protocols, including mandatory in-person visits and banning mail-order abortion pills. They urge transparent reporting of complications to better protect women’s health.
The debate over abortion access now includes growing calls for greater safety and informed consent. As health officials review these findings, the conversation may shift from access alone to ensuring women are fully aware of risks when choosing chemical abortion.
Related topics:
- Birth Control Methods Linked To Increased Stroke, Heart Attack Risk
- Does Birth Control Help With Menopause Symptoms?
- Does Birth Control Help With Vaginal Dryness?
