User:Mr. Ibrahem/Medical abortion

Medical abortion, also known as medication abortion, is when medication are used to bring about an abortion. It is an alternative to surgical abortion, such as uterine aspiration or dilation and evacuation. Medical abortion is more common in most places, including Europe, India, China, and the United States.

The typical recommendation involves two-medication, mifepristone followed by misoprostol. When mifepristone is not available, misoprostol alone may be used; though other options exist. They can be safely taken at home in the first trimester. In the second trimester, its use is recommended within hospital.

Medical abortion is both safe and effective through a range of gestational ages, including the second trimester (13 to 24 weeks). Some evidence supports use in the third trimester. Side effects often include vaginal bleeding, uterine cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. It does not affect the risk of mental health problems, breast cancer, or infertility. In the United States, death of the mother is 14 times lower than in childbirth; and hospitalization, blood transfusions, or surgery are needed in less than 4 in 1,000.

Medical abortion came into use in the 1970s. They were carried out more than half a million times in 2020 in the United States. The World Health Organization recommends that all women and girls have access to medical abortion, in an effort to reduce the rate of unsafe abortion and the deaths that result. In the United States the medications can cost more than 500 USD as of 2023; though charities may provide for free or at low cost. In Canada it is covered for Canadians. In low and middle income countries the cost ranged from 4 to 36 USD as of 2018. It should not be confused with emergency birth control (the morning after pill) which is taken soon after sex to prevent pregnancy from beginning.