What is a medical abortion?
A medical abortion uses a medicine or a combination of tablets to cause the non-surgical termination of an early pregnancy up until the 12th week of pregnancy.
The safest, most effective type of medical abortion requires the use of two different pills. These medicines, called Mifepristone and Misoprostol, provoke the spontaneous expulsion of the pregnancy from the uterus 95-98% of the time. However, misoprostol alone is also effective 80-85% of the time.
More scientific information:
Misoprostol is on the list of essential medicines of the World Health Organization. Misoprostol causes contractions and helps to expel the products of conception from the uterus.
Misoprostol alone is highly effective, safe and acceptable for abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The effects of this method of abortion include cramping and prolonged menstrual-like bleeding. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The risk of serious complication is exceptionally low. Research indicates that it is safe to perform the medical abortion procedure at home as long as the woman lives near a hospital or other emergency service.
More scientific information:
Mifepristone and Misoprostol are on the list of essential medicines of the World Health Organization. 53 Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which is required to sustain a pregnancy. Without this hormone the attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterine wall is disrupted, and the uterus contracts. Misoprostol enhances contractions and helps to expel the products of conception from the uterus.
Mifepristone with Misoprostol are proven to be highly effective, safe and acceptable for home use in early first trimester abortions. The effects of this method of abortion include cramping and prolonged menstrual-like bleeding. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The risk of serious complication is exceptionally low. Research indicates that it is safe to perform the medical abortion procedure at home as long as the woman lives near a hospital or other emergency service.
Is it difficult to use Misoprostol by yourself?
No. You can take Misoprostol on your own. Using Misoprostol is no more…
How to use misoprostol (cytotec) to cause an abortion?
You will need 12 pills of misoprostol, 200 micrograms (mcg) each. To cause an…
Quale marca di medicinale contenente il Misoprostolo dovrei assumere? Possono essere assunte insieme diverse marche di medicinali contenenti il Misoprostolo?
In Italia si vendono diversi medicinali contenenti il Misoprostolo. Alcuni di…
Quale tipo di medicinale contenete Misoprostolo è il più efficace?
Tutte le marche sono efficaci e provocano l'aborto. La cosa da tenere sempre a…
Possibilità di interrompere la gravidanza nel secondo trimestre (dopo la dodicesima settimana)
Dopo la dodicesima settimana di gravidanza l'aborto in Europa è possibile nelle…
Can Misoprostol be used if you have Chlamydia?
An infection with Chlamydia is one of the main causes of infertility and must…
Esistono delle iniezioni che possono terminare la gravidanza?
L'unico medicinale iniettabile in grado di interrompere la gravidanza si chiama…
What is Methotrexate?
Methotrexate can be used to induce an abortion in combination with Misoprostol…
Gli antibiotici possono avere un effetto sulla pillola contraccettiva o sul Misoporostolo?
Gli antibiotici possono diminuire l'efficaci di pillola contraccettiva perché…
Si può indurre un aborto usando Provera (progesterone)?
No, non si può. Provera non contiene sostanze necessarie per indurre le…
How do you know if you are pregnant and how long you have been pregnant for?
Most women determine that they are pregnant if they are sexually active and…
How many weeks into your pregnancy can you do a medical abortion?
You can do a medical abortion at home until the 12th week of your pregnancy.
I've been pregnant for more than 12 weeks. Can I still use Misoprostol?
Misoprostol still works after 12 weeks of pregnancy. However 4% to 8% of women…
What if you are not pregnant but take the medicines anyway?
Your health will not be harmed if you are not pregnant but take the medicines…
What if you have a RH - bloodtype?
Usually doctors advice women who have an (surgical) abortion or miscariage or…
What is a contraindication and how do you know if you have one?
Contraindications are conditions or situations might keep you from being able…
What is an ectopic pregnancy and how do you know you have one?
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that grows outside the womb, usually in a…
Can I have an abortion if I have an IUD?
An IUD is a contraceptive, a small coil of about 3 cm inserted by a doctor into…
Why shouldn't you be alone when you do a medical abortion and what if you do it alone anyway?
You are strongly advised to use the medicines in the presence of someone you…
Why should you be within 60 minutes of a hospital or first aid centre when you do the abortion?
It is absolutely necessary to be within one hour of help, in case you lose too…
Per ridurre dolore possono essere usati gli antidolorifici (omeopatici) insieme al Misoprostolo?
Dato che alcuni di questi medicinali hanno anche la funzione antispastica che…
Can (homeopathic) medication that decreases menstrual pain be used with Misoprostol?
Because some of these medications might counter the contractions of the womb…
How should you use Misoprostol (cytotec)?
You will need 12 pills of misoprostol, 200 micrograms (mcg) each.
Posso assumere una parte di Misoprostolo per via orale e una parte per via vaginale? Sarà efficace?
La donna dovrebbe scegliere se usare le pillole per via vaginale oppure sotto…
Can you use Misoprostol if you are still breastfeeding?
It is better not to breastfeed during the first 5 hours after taking…
Is it safe to have a medical abortion if you've already had one in the past?
Women are fertile for about 40 years. Some women need more than one abortion…
Can I take part of the Misoprostol/Cytotec orally and part vaginally. Is this effective?
We strongly advice women to use Misoprostol under the tongue (dissolve under…
Can you eat or drink while you are taking the medicines?
You should not drink any alcohol or use drugs, as it can affect your judgment.
When will you start bleeding and how long will it last?
After using Misoprostol you should expect bleeding and cramps. Bleeding usually…
Can you go to work while doing the abortion? For how long must you rest before returning to work?
It is best to take Misoprostol on the weekends or when you can rest for a bit.
I took the first dose of Misoprostol and started bleeding. Should I take the next doses?
Yes, you must take the next doses, despite the blood loss. Scientific research…
Quante e di che colore saranno le perdite di sangue?
La regola generale prevede che il sangue fresco è rosso e quello vecchio è…
Can you see the products of the abortion (placenta, embryo, blood) and what should you do with them?
Most of the time women can see blood and tissue in their sanitary napkin or in…
What are the side effects of Misoprostol?
The medical abortion normally causes side effects such as pain and cramping, as…
I've used Misoprostol a few days ago and I'm still in a lot of pain. Is this normal?
If the treatment was successful, you should no longer have any pain, just blood…
I've used Misoprostol but the pregnancy test is still positive. What should I do?
Sometimes, pregnancy test are still positive 3 or 4 weeks after the abortion
What is a complete, successful abortion and how do you know you've had one?
A complete abortion means that the body has expelled all the products of…
How do you know if you have complications and what should you do?
If performed in the first 10 weeks, a medical abortion carries a very small…
How do you know if you have a post-abortion infection?
Infections following medical abortions are very rare. If you feel weakness
How do you know if you have an incomplete abortion?
An incomplete abortion is an abortion that has only been partially successful.
What is a curettage/vacuum aspiration and is it necessary after medical abortion?
Vacuum aspiration (MVA)is a surgical intervention to remove the contents of the…
Esistono gli esami di sangue capaci di rivelare la presenza di Misoprostolo?
Si, il medicinale potrebbe essere rilevato, ma SOLO se il medico cercasse…
Come riconoscere che la gravidanza continui dopo l'aborto?
In alcuni casi la gravidanza non si interrompe dopo l'assunzione di…
Quali sono le probabilità che il feto sarà malformato se la gravidanza continua dopo l'aborto?
Se la gravidanza continua dopo l'aborto, consigliamo alle donne di…
Do you need to have an ultrasound after doing a medical abortion?
If you do not have symptoms of a complication, it is not necessary to have an…
How long will it take before Misoprostol will have effect and for how long will symptoms (bellyache, nausea, blood loss etc.) last?
In most cases Misoprostol will have an effect within 4 hours and you will start…
I used Misoprostol; bleeding is like during menstruation. Should I go to the hospital?
You do not have to go to a hospital, but you should get an ultrasound or do a…
Can you get pregnant again immediately after using Misoprostol?
Yes. You must immediately start taking precautions. For contraceptive methods…
Does medical abortion increase the risk of breast cancer?
No, having an induced abortion does not increase a woman’s chance of developing…
Quanto dovrei aspettare prima di avere di nuovo rapporti sessuali dopo l'aborto?
Potrai riprendere la tua vita sessuale appena ti sentirai pronta. Ricorda però…
Is a medical abortion dangerous?
Medical abortions performed in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy have a very low…
Will you be able to get pregnant and have children after a medical abortion?
A medical abortion does not affect your ability to conceive or bear a child in…
When can you get pregnant again after having a medical abortion?
Although it may be several weeks after your abortion before you get your…
Prevenire una gravidanza indesiderata
Circa 85% delle donne attive sessualmente che non usa i metodi contraccettivi…
Posso usare il Misoprostolo se ho la clamidia?
Un'infezione da clamidia è una della cause principali di infertilità e deve…