Medical abortion is a common topic in society and also a subject that is surrounded by misconceptions and confusion as it is a process of pregnancy termination without surgery and use of medication.

Given the fact that more and more women opt for this method, the questions concerning its safety, possible side effects, and consequences remains a popular topic.

However, reality concerning these issues is overshadowed by myths and misconceptions which creates unwarranted stress and doubts.

Mykare Health is here to address these myths and misconceptions related to medical abortion and help you get a clear idea.

What is Medical Abortion?

It is an abortion process that does not require the use of surgical instruments but medication to expel an early pregnancy. It typically involves two medications: Two drugs namely; mifepristone and misoprostol.

Mifepristone counteracts the action of progesterone hormone needed for the continuance of early pregnancy as well as for the attachment of the pregnancy material on the walls of the uterus, and misoprostol provokes the contraction of the uterus with a view of expelling out the pregnancy material from the uterus.

Medical abortion takes place during the first ten weeks of the pregnancy and is preferred by women who do not wish to be treated by a surgical operation.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

Myth 1: Medical Abortion is Unsafe

One of the longest held misconceptions about medical abortion is that it is unsafe or dangerous. More to the point, a medical abortion is actually a very safe process when undertaken under the supervision of a doctor. WHO says that medical abortion is over 95% effective if done before twelve weeks of pregnancy and complication rates are very low.

Medical abortion is safer as compared to surgical abortion and it can be taken at home if there is a follow up. Like any other method of treatment, some complications may arise for instance; stomach aches and other digestion related problems, blood loss and feeling of nausea and vomiting, all of which if tackled at an early stage are not fatal.

Myth 2: It Causes Infertility

Another myth is that a medical abortion takes a toll on a woman’s fertility or causes her to develop other reproductive complications in the future. This is not true. All the research carried out revealed that having a medical abortion does not in any way endanger one's chances of being infertile, getting an ectopic pregnancy or having complications in future pregnancies.

Medical abortion normally leads to a swift return of fertility in a woman and it is even possible to get pregnant again shortly after the procedure has been done.

Myth 3: It is a Painful Process

It is, however, widely assumed by some that medical abortion is very painful if not unbearable. But the case is not the same for all women, and all have different things they have to go through.

The most frequently reported symptom is pain which is of the nature of discomfort and resembles the aching in the course of the menstrual period and it is mild in some women and severe in others depending on their endurance at the given stages of pregnancy.

The common painkiller drugs that can be bought without prescriptions can alleviate the pain, which is normally associated with migraine, including those that contain ibuprofen.

The pain is usually worse from the time the body is trying to shed the pregnancy tissue, though this stage is not long. Evidently, the patients are of the view that the pain is tolerable and actually prefer this method as compared to the surgical one.

Myth 4: It is Not Effective

One major concern is that the use of medical abortion may not work properly and thus result in perhaps an incomplete abortion that may require surgical intervention.

Like any other medical procedure, medical abortion is not hundred percent guaranteed but the rate of success is more than ninety five percent if taken within the prescribed period.

Once in a while complications may arise in the form of incomplete abortion where the whole tissue may not have come out, then surgery has to be done again, specifically called dilation and curettage or D&C.

But in case of medical consultation and check ups, surgical actions are not usually needed.

Myth 5: Medical Abortion is Only for Early Pregnancy

It is important to note that efficacy and risks of a medical abortion are substantially higher and lower, respectively in the first ten weeks of pregnancy but an abortion by pills is still possible in later weeks.

However, efficacy and safety are reduced, as well as the possible risks of complications are higher after the first gestation period’s weeks, which is why medical abortion is less preferred in such situations, using surgical abortion instead. Medical abortion is also under special circumstances of certain features like gestational age, the woman’s health status and the medical prudence of the abortion provider.

It is in the latter countries where reproductive rights perhaps are somewhat restricted that women might almost certainly get access to the medical abortion in the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Myth 6: Medical Abortion is Emotionally Traumatising

One is that women who decide to take medical abortion will be emotionally or psychologically affected greatly in future. It is normal for a woman to feel happy, sad or guilty after an abortion as well as may have other complicated feelings but it is rare for a woman to have long term mental problems.

Multiple researches indicate that there is not a great difference in the mental health of women who undergo abortions and those who are pregnant and give birth to the infants that were a result of the pregnancy that was not planned.

Every female is an emotional entity and perception of the process and emotions after can be a result of her beliefs, culture or the people in her life.

Benefits of Medical Abortion

• Noninvasive: Studies have shown that women prefer medical abortion since it does not include surgery, anaesthesia as well as hospital admission.

• Privacy: Unlike surgeries, the pills can be ingested at their own homes, something that can be embarrassing to some people.

• Control: Patients are also more receptive especially women since they can decide when and where to undertake the procedure.

Potential Side Effects

While medical abortion is generally safe, it can cause side effects such as

• Cramping and bleeding

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Fever or chills