We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Chemical Abortion?

By M. Haskins
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,644
Share

Chemical abortion, sometimes called medical abortion or non-surgical abortion, is the termination of a pregnancy using an abortifacient, meaning a chemical substance that induces abortion. The drugs used to perform a chemical-induced abortion cause the womb to contract and expel the embryo, similar to what happens during a miscarriage. A chemical abortion can only be performed in the first nine weeks of pregnancy, and while no hospital stay is needed, several doctor's appointments are required. Chemical abortion is effective in 95-97% of cases, and a surgical abortion, meaning a surgical procedure to remove the embryo, is usually performed if the chemical abortion does not terminate the pregnancy. The expected symptoms of this procedure include mild to severe cramping and heavy bleeding for some hours, followed by lighter bleeding for several weeks.

A combination of abortion-inducing drugs is commonly recommended to perform a chemical abortion to ensure that the pregnancy is terminated effectively and safely for the woman. The first drug is usually administered in the doctor's office and can be mifepristone, also known as RU 486 or the abortion pill, tamoxifen, or methotrexate. Some days later the woman takes another drug, often misoprostol, at home. The abortion then happens within six to eight hours, resulting in cramping and heavy bleeding for several hours as the embryo and lining of the womb is expelled. A doctor's exam is required within two weeks after taking the first medication to determine if the pregnancy has been terminated.

Light bleeding can be expected for one to two weeks after a chemical abortion, and can continue for a month or more, though this is uncommon. The most common cause of complications after this procedure is that some tissue remains inside the uterus, which can cause infection, cramping, and bleeding. Occasionally a surgical procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C) is required to remove this remaining tissue. Signs of possible infection and other abortion-related complications include fever, abdominal pain, and very heavy bleeding. In rare cases these complications can be fatal or affect the ability to become pregnant again.

Some women choose to terminate an unwanted pregnancy or unplanned pregnancy with drugs rather than a surgical abortion because they think the procedure is less invasive and more private. Chemical abortions can also be done earlier in the pregnancy than surgical abortions. However, chemical abortions fail more often than surgical abortion types, and the chemical abortion process also takes longer. When a chemical abortion fails, a surgical abortion must be performed, because of the risk of severe birth defects.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-chemical-abortion.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.