Buy Abortion Pills Online?
In recent years, chemical abortion via the abortion pill (mifepristone plus misoprostol) has become more accessible via telehealth or mail. But is self-administered or “at‑home” abortion safe? A new large-scale analysis offers important insight into why at-home abortion is not safe.
The report “The Abortion Pill Harms Women: Insurance Data Reveals One in Ten Patients Experiences a Serious Adverse Event” (April 2025) analyzed insurance‑claims data from 865,727 chemical abortions between 2017 and 2023.
Key Findings Include:
10.93 % of women experienced a serious adverse event—such as sepsis, infection, hemorrhage, or other life‑threatening complications—within 45 days of taking mifepristone.
This real‑world rate is at least 22 times higher than the <0.5 % serious‑event rate reported in the drug’s original clinical trials.
The same authors also uncovered a failure rate of 5.26 %, meaning one in 19 women required a repeat abortion attempt within 45 days.
Combining serious adverse events and failures, the study estimates that 13.51 % (roughly one in seven) women experience at least one serious complication or require another abortion within 45 days.
Importantly, the authors note their estimates are conservative. They purposely excluded many emergency‑room visits not clearly tied to the abortion procedure, to avoid overstating risks.
Self-Administered Abortion Pill Use Amplifies Danger
At home, with a lack of medical supervision, warning signs of an incomplete abortion–severe bleeding and infection–may go unrecognized. This can lead to serious complications and even death.
The study shows serious complications often arise within the first 45 days and complications like sepsis or hemorrhage can escalate rapidly. Lack of medical supervision can delay treatment, magnifying the risk.
The abortion pill is only intended for intrauterine pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies–when the embryo implants outside the uterus–can be life‑threatening. Knowing the location of the pregnancy requires ultrasound and medical assessment—both impossible at home.
Pills obtained online may not have reliable potency or composition, increasing the risk of underdosing (leading to failed abortion) or overdosing (complications). Abortion pills from online vendors can more easily bypass certification and regulation.
In many telehealth or mail protocols, abortion pill providers are not required to actively follow up or report adverse events unless they learn of a death.
What This Means for Pregnant Women
While at-home abortion with the abortion pill may seem convenient and private, the latest real‑world data show that it is not as safe as commonly claimed. More than 1 in 10 women may suffer serious complications, and 1 in 20 may need a repeat abortion.
If You Or Someone You Know Is Considering Abortion:
Seek an in‑person medical consultation — a trained provider can confirm gestational age and rule out ectopic pregnancy.
All women deserve informed, compassionate care — not risk and uncertainty. You don’t have to go through this alone. We offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and counseling, always free and confidential. Call or text (248) 471-5858 or contact us here for an appointment.
Did you know…? Thousands of women who started a chemical abortion have successfully saved their pregnancies with Abortion Pill Reversal (APR). If you change your mind, you don’t have to take the second pill. Call the Abortion Pill Reversal HELPLINE 24/7: 1-877-558-0333
