Ordering Online Abortion Pills – 8 things to consider
Considering Ordering online abortion pills? Here's what you should know.
Pregnant or worried that you might be?
Feeling scared? (That’s normal, by the way.)
Trying to figure out what to do now and wondering if taking the abortion pill is the answer?
If so, you may have heard about ordering abortion pills online. You may have questions about what it’s like to take the abortion pill. Is it safe? Is it really as easy as taking an aspirin? Is it truly “just like having a bad period”? Do I have to see a doctor?
These are important questions, and you deserve good answers to them. At Pregnancy Help Lebanon, we’re here to help. We’re so glad you’ve found us. We are with you and for you.
The goal of this article is to help answer your questions with accurate information that can empower you to take your next step. With so much information out there about ordering abortion pills online, it’s important to know the facts. After all, this could be one of the most important decisions of your life. You owe it to yourself to take the time you need to make an informed choice.
Ready? Let’s get to those questions.
What Are Abortion Pills and How Do They Work?
Abortion pills are drugs used to end a pregnancy. In the U.S. they require a prescription and are FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. This method of abortion is known as a medication abortion. It is sometimes also referred to as an at-home abortion or a self-managed abortion.
The “abortion pill” is actually two different drugs,
· Step 1: Mifepristone is taken to block the hormone progesterone, which is needed for an embryo or fetus to continue to live and develop.
· Step 2: Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours later to induce cramping and bleeding in order to empty the uterus of its contents, including the embryo or fetus. This usually starts within a few hours.
Since it is difficult to predict how long it will take for the second abortion pill (misoprostol) to work, women are usually encouraged to stay home near a toilet or other location where they can readily pass the contents of their uterus. Cramping and heavy bleeding can last several hours, with lighter bleeding continuing for days or weeks.
What are the Side Effects and Risks of Taking Abortion Pills?
The experience of taking the abortion pill can vary widely. It is often described as being like having a heavy period, but for many women it can also involve severe pain and discomfort.
Common Side Effects
The two most common side effects: heavy bleeding and strong cramps.
Other common side effects:
· Nausea
· Diarrhea
· Weakness
· Fever
· Chills
· Vomiting
· Headache
Possible Serious Complications
Serious complications such as the following can occur:
· Sepsis
· Infection
· Hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding)
· Incomplete abortion (the contents of the uterus are not fully expelled)
· Continuing pregnancy (the embryo or fetus continues to live after the attempted abortion)
These complications can be life-threatening and may result in having to go to the emergency room, be hospitalized, receive a blood transfusion, or undergo emergency surgery.
Signs of a complication include:
· Excessive bleeding (soaking more than 2 pads per hour for 2+ hours)
· Severe pain that doesn’t improve with medication
· Fever over 100.4°F for more than 24 hours
· Signs of infection (foul-smelling discharge, prolonged fever)
A health care provider should be consulted promptly if any of these signs occur.
Psychological and Emotional Risks
Women who take abortion pills will likely pass the contents of their uterus into a toilet. There is the possibility that they will see and recognize body parts of the embryo or fetus. For some women, this may be a traumatic experience.
Other possible psychological and emotional side effects of abortion, whether medical or surgical, include:
· Depression
· Anxiety
· Sadness
· Grief
· Feelings of loss
You are at greater risk of experiencing these problems if you are feeling pressured into having an abortion or if you are uncertain about your decision.
At Pregnancy Help Lebanon, we can help you think through the reasons why you’re considering abortion and whether it’s the best choice for you. Call today for a free appointment.
How Safe Is It to Take Abortion Pills?
The truth is, it depends on who you ask. According to the manufacturer of the first abortion pill (mifepristone), the drug is “safe and effective,” with a very low rate (“less than 0.5%”) of serious complications like those discussed earlier in this article. However, recent research suggests that serious complications may be experienced by as many as 1 in 10 women (10.93%), and that in as many as 1 in 19 cases (5.26%) a repeated abortion attempt or other medical intervention may be required due to failure of mifepristone to work as intended. What’s not in dispute is that taking abortion pills is not as simple as taking an aspirin, as the list of side effects and potential complications presented earlier makes clear. The bottom line is that more research is needed before there is a good answer to this question.
Should I Order Abortion Pills Online?
Ordering abortion pills online may seem like a quick, easy, and simple option. But there are some things you should consider before going this route.
The cost of a medication abortion can vary widely (typically $500-$800) and providers can vary widely in the services offered, including follow-up care. Women should make sure they know exactly what is included in the cost.
Ordering abortion pills online may be less expensive compared to obtaining them from an abortion clinic, but ordering online may come with greater risk.
The FDA warns that online abortion pill sources may not be regulated, meaning:
· Pills could be expired, fake, or incorrect dosages.
· There’s no guarantee of medical oversight or emergency support.
· The safety, effectiveness, or quality of the drugs cannot be ensured, especially if ordered from a non-U.S. source.
Some states have restrictions on ordering abortion pills by mail, meaning legal risks could apply.
When ordering abortion pills online, instead of having a health care provider that can provide a thorough health screening before the abortion and follow-up evaluation afterward, a woman may only fill out a brief medical history or health questionnaire before receiving a prescription and placing an order for the pills.
If ordering abortion pills online, women should verify the source, know the risks involved, and understand what services will be provided before, during, and after the abortion process.
Do I Have to See a Doctor?
Even though there is no legal requirement to have an in-person appointment with a health care provider, women should see a medical provider before having a medication abortion and should have a follow-up evaluation after taking abortion pills to ensure their safety and minimize the potential for serious complications. Additionally, health care providers are often trained to recognize signs of pressure, coercion, or even sex trafficking—and may be able to assist patients in connecting with local resources as needed.
What Should I Do Next If I Am Considering Taking Abortion Pills?
Before making a decision about taking the abortion pill, whether you order them online or go in person, you should:
· Make an appointment with a medical provider to confirm your pregnancy and find out if there are any health risks to be aware of. Certain conditions (like anemia or ectopic pregnancy) make a medication abortion dangerous, and the pills should not be used after 10 weeks of pregnancy.
· Talk to someone you trust. You should not be alone as you process this decision.
At Pregnancy Help Lebanon, you can receive a free pregnancy test and limited OB ultrasound to verify pregnancy by confirming the presence of a heartbeat, rule out an ectopic pregnancy, and determine how far along you are in your pregnancy. Contact us today to set up your appointment.
What if I Change My Mind about Having a Medication Abortion?
If you have taken the first abortion pill (mifepristone) but have not yet taken the second pill (misoprostol) and have now changed your mind about completing your medication abortion, it may be possible to counteract the effects of mifepristone through the use of high-dose progesterone. For maximum effectiveness, this process (sometimes called “abortion pill reversal”) should be started as soon as possible after taking mifepristone.
At Pregnancy Help Lebanon, we can provide you with more details about this process and help determine whether it’s an option for you.
Need More Info?
Your reproductive health matters—and it begins with getting informed.
You can make a well-informed decision. We can help. You are not alone. Contact us today to schedule your free pregnancy test and ultrasound.
Pregnancy Help Lebanon contact info:
Call or text
417-532-8555
417-532-8555
hours:
Monday 9am – 6pm
Tuesday & Wednesday 9am – 5pm
Thursday 9am – 6pm
Friday 9am – 1pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed
For confidential information and support, you can also go to www.AbortionPillTalk.com.
[2] Planned Parenthood, “Let’s talk about self-managed abortion,” July 11, 2023.
[4] David Reardon, “The Abortion and Mental Health Controversy: A Comprehensive Literature Review of Common Ground Agreements, Disagreements, Actionable Recommendations, and Research Opportunities,” SAGE Open Medicine 6 (2018).
[5] Danco Laboratories, “A Private Choice for Early Abortion,” accessed May 30, 2025.
[6] FDA label for Mifepristone.
[7] Jamie Bryan Hall and Ryan T. Anderson, “The Abortion Pill Harms Women: Insurance Data Reveals One in Ten Patients Experiences a Serious Adverse Event,” April 28, 2025.
[8] Jamie Bryan Hall and Ryan T. Anderson, “The Abortion Pill Harms Women: Insurance Data Reveals Repeated Abortion Attempts Due to High Failure Rate,” May 12, 2025.
[9] Planned Parenthood, “How much does an abortion cost?”, April 13, 2025.
10] U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “Questions and Answers.”