Gynecology

Abortion - Medical

Overview
How It Works
Safety and Effectiveness

Safety and Effectiveness

Mifepristone has been studied for over 20 years. Millions of women in more than 20 countries including the United States have used mifepristone and misoprostol, or similar medications, to have an abortion. All studies have shown the method to be safe and effective; there have been no reports of any long-term risks. Heavy bleeding requiring blood transfusion is extremely rare, occurring in less than 0.5 percent of study patients.

Short-term side effects of a medical abortion include:

• Strong cramps
• Bleeding
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever and chills

There is no evidence of long-term risks with mifepristone when used for medical abortion and no long-term effects have been associated with misoprostol.

In 20 years of use, medical abortion has been linked with only one death, which was due to a medication that is no longer used in the U.S. and has never been used at the UCSF Women's Options Center.

Complications

There are no indications that any of the early abortion methods affect a woman's fertility.

Little is known about the effect of mifepristone on a developing embryo. Misoprostol has been associated with birth defects when given in early pregnancy. Therefore, a woman should have a surgical abortion if a medical abortion fails.

Cost

The cost of a medical abortion varies by clinic. Some providers charge similar rates for medical and surgical. Many insurance companies, including Medi-Cal, will cover the cost of a medical abortion. The UCSF Women's Options Center offers a self-payment option for both medical and surgical abortion.

More Information

Call the Women's Options Center for more information and take a look at Medical vs. Surgical Abortion for a comparison of the two techniques.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 28, 2008