Is it difficult to use Misoprostol by yourself?

No. You can take Misoprostol on your own. Using Misoprostol is no more complicated than using other medications. This website has clear instructions about how to use the drugs, what to expect, and when to go to a doctor. If you have questions about any step of the process, you can contact the helpline info@womenonweb.org. A medical abortion does not need to take place in a hospital or first aid clinic. 64The risks of a medical abortion are the same as those of a miscarriage. About 15% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. These miscarriages do not happen in a hospital but usually at home. Most women know how to deal with it themselves and only go to a hospital in case of problems like heavy bleeding or fever. A medical abortion provokes a miscarriage. You can take the medicines yourself at home as long as you are not longer than 12 weeks pregnant and live within one hour of medical help.

More scientific information:
Misoprostol does not cause effects that need to be monitored in a clinical setting. “Self-administering Misoprostol correctly is simple. Unlike other drugs, such as adriamycin or injectable penicillin, which require administration under physician supervision to monitor for rapid and potentially fatal reactions, Misoprostol is not complicated to administer and does not involve difficult or dangerous conditions to monitor during or immediately following administration 7.

Several studies have been done about whether or not women can take Misoprostol at home, and these studies have determined that yes, women are capable of taking Misoprostol at home and it is safe for them to do so 14. In these studies, women take Mifepristone at the clinic, and then they take Misoprostol later at home. Misoprostol is the part of the regimen that causes contractions and bleeding. More risk is associated with Misoprostol than with Mifepristone. Researchers have determined that women can safely use Misoprostol at home.

Several studies exist that prove that women can manage side effects. One study was done that included thousands of American women, to see if they could safely and successfully use Mifepristone and Misoprostol with less supervision from medical professionals 7. Researchers found that women were able to follow directions for seeking follow-up care when problems occurred. It was also concluded that the women in the study were capable of dealing with passing the tissue and blood when they did medical abortions on their own 7.

In another study involving over 1,000 women, the researchers stated that required follow-up visits to a clinic after a medical abortion may be unnecessary. They stated, “It has been suggested that giving women simple instructions and advice about detecting complications would be a suitable alternative to a follow-up in a clinic, with little evidence that mandatory follow-up visits detect conditions that women could not learn to recognize themselves 20. Women will seek medical care if they have problems. When they have information and access to medical care in case of an emergency, women in both developing and more developed countries can manage the effects of an abortion on their own 1.

Doctors in Scotland organized a study in which women did medical abortions at home. One of the researchers, Dr. Gillian Penney of Aberdeen University, stated, “I was very surprised by the level of acceptability to home abortion amongst women. I thought it would be frightening for women and they would want to be with the necessary staff who can give them support through the procedure and reassure them. But women who experienced it for real genuinely felt it was something they could cope with in the home. Many preferred having their own choice of companions and being able to use their own toilet facilities 46. None of the 50 women in the study reported any problems. The British Pregnancy Advisory Service and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists support women’s access to home medical abortion 46.

 

What is a medical abortion?

A medical abortion uses a medicine or a combination of tablets to cause the non

How to use misoprostol (cytotec) to cause an abortion?

You will need 12 pills of misoprostol, 200 micrograms (mcg) each. To cause an…

Which brand of misoprostol should I use and can different brand names can be used together?

Misoprostol alone has the following brand names: Cytotec (200µg Misoprostol…

Which type of pill containing Misoprostol is the most effective to cause an abortion?

All brands are effective. The most important thing is that the pills contain…

Can Misoprostol be used if you have Chlamydia?

An infection with Chlamydia is one of the main causes of infertility and must…

Are there injections that could end my pregnancy?

The only injection that can successfully end a pregnancy is methotrexate. This…

What is Methotrexate?

Methotrexate can be used to induce an abortion in combination with Misoprostol…

Do antibiotiocs have an effect on the contraceptive pill and/or Misoprostol?

Antibiotics can diminish the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill as it may…

Does Provera (a progesteron) help to induce an abortion?

No it does not. Provera does not contain a working substance to make the womb…

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 are hCG levels during pregnancy?

hCG levels in weeks from Last Menstrual Period :

What if you have a RH - bloodtype?

Usually doctors advice women who have an (surgical) abortion or miscariage or…

When you should not do a medical abortion?

You should not use the medicines if:

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…

What painkillers can you use?

NSAID's like Ibuprofen, Diclofenac and Naproxen are the most effective…

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.

Are there other ways to use the Misoprostol?

We strongly advise you to use Misoprostol under your tongue. This way, no…

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…

How much and what colour is the blood loss?

The general rule is that fresh blood is red and old blood is brown. While…

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…

Can Misoprostol be detected in a blood test?

Misoprostol disappears from the blood after 12 hours, and it does not show up…

How do you know if you have a continuing pregnancy?

Continuing pregnancy is a pregnancy that continues to develop even after the…

What are the chances that the fetus will be malformed if you have an ongoing pregnancy?

If you have an ongoing pregnancy after using Misoprostol, the risk of having a…

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…

What are the risks?

Many illegal abortions are unsafe and are carried out without proper…

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…

How long must you wait before starting to have sexual intercourse again after the abortion?

It is best to wait 4-7 days after taking the Misoprostol to have sexual…

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…

How can you prevent a future unwanted pregnancy?

About 85% of sexually active women who do not use contraceptives become…

Do I have an infection?

Do I have an infection? A fever could indicate that you have an infection. If…