Have you ever ordered something online only to receive a different item? It arrives looking nothing like it did online: the size is wrong, the manufacturer misrepresented the quality, or the color and materials are completely different.
You can experience the same problems when ordering abortion drugs from unregulated sources online. To protect your health and safety, follow the FDA’s recommendation and not buy these drugs online.
What Are the Drugs in the Abortion Pill Regimen?
The abortion pill method uses two drugs: mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone from reaching the pregnancy, and misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract.
The FDA highly regulates the first drug, mifepristone. Only certified providers are approved to prescribe it. This drug, taken in combination with misoprostol, is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of pregnancy.
How Can Unregulated Drugs Endanger My Health?
Many online sources are from foreign countries. These companies promise a cheaper product or faster delivery, but do not have any government oversight.
The FDA reviews prescription drugs approved for use in the United States for safety, effectiveness, and quality. Foreign countries do not have to follow the same standards. You cannot ensure you receive the correct drug, dosage, or instructions.
What Other Issues Should I Consider?
The FDA puts a time limit on the use of these abortion drugs because the further along you are in your pregnancy, the less effective the drugs are. By ordering the drugs directly online, you skip a vital health step: an ultrasound.
Why do you need an ultrasound if you’re buying abortion drugs? An ultrasound answers three critical questions:
- How far along are you in your pregnancy?
The ultrasound technician takes measurements to determine the exact number of weeks and days you have been pregnant. - Is the pregnancy developing, or have you had a miscarriage?
Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, you can get a positive pregnancy test result, and no longer be pregnant.
here’s no need to order abortion drugs if you have miscarried. - Is the pregnancy located in the uterus, or is it ectopic?
Although rare, some pregnancies form outside the uterus. This type of pregnancy is called ectopic, and can be a dangerous, even life-threatening, health situation.
Taking abortion drugs without answering the above questions increases your risk of complications, including an incomplete abortion, heavy and prolonged bleeding, or infection.
Let the Women’s Clinics Help You Make an Informed Decision
If you’re considering the abortion pill method, take the necessary steps before ordering the drugs. At the Women’s Clinics, we offer no-cost, confidential pregnancy testing.
In addition, if you qualify, you can receive a no-cost, viability ultrasound. We care about your health and safety, and want you to receive the vital information you need to make a confident decision.
Conveniently schedule an appointment online or contact one of our three Women’s Clinics locations. We’re here for you.
The Women’s Clinics do not perform or refer for abortion.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.