Abortion is legal in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. In some states, new US-based services offer convenient online access to abortion pills.
We encourage you to read through our Abortion Pills FAQ first, then use our search tool to find information on at-home abortion in your state.
“Abortion with pills,” also called a medication abortion, is a modern option for ending an early pregnancy safely and effectively. The pills are a combination of medications: mifepristone and misoprostol (or misoprostol only, if mifepristone is not available).
This is the most common method of abortion with pills. It involves taking a mifepristone pill first, followed by misoprostol pills 24 to 48 hours later. This is the most effective method of abortion with pills (95-98% of the abortions are successful). It has the fewest side effects and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is the type of abortion with pills provided by clinics like Planned Parenthood and recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Abortion with pills can also be done using only misoprostol pills. This is less effective than when mifepristone and misoprostol are both taken (about 85% of the abortions are successful). The World Health Organization endorses the use of misoprostol alone for early abortion when mifepristone is not available.
Both methods are effective and very safe. Both methods are also widely used by women around the world. We provide information about both methods on this website.
Using abortion pills does not require the presence of a doctor, although many people choose the support of a medical professional as they go through this process.
It’s best to use this method in a comfortable and safe environment. It may not be the right option for people who are in an unsafe relationship or do not have a safe, private space to have the abortion.
Abortion pills work by blocking the flow of progesterone to the developing pregnancy (mifepristone) and causing the uterus to cramp and expel what’s inside (misoprostol). They effectively cause a miscarriage. This usually involves a few hours of heavy bleeding and cramping and several days of lighter bleeding.
For more information, watch this video from the International Planned Parenthood Federation about how abortion pills work.
Using abortion pills is very safe. Abortion pills are safest for pregnancies of less than 11 weeks (less than 77 days, counting from the first day of the last regular period). The rate of major complications during an early abortion is very low, and the earlier in pregnancy an abortion is done, the lower the chances are of complications.
It is better to use mifepristone plus misoprostol because it is more effective. But, sometimes mifepristone pills are hard to find in the United States. The World Health Organization says it is safe to use misoprostol alone when mifepristone is not available.
One risk is that abortion pills may not work (they may not end the pregnancy). The pills are less effective when only misoprostol is used or when the pills are taken later in pregnancy. Most providers recommend doing a pregnancy test 3-4 weeks after taking the pills to make sure they worked. If the test is positive, it is important to get follow-up care. (Note: a pregnancy test done earlier than 3-4 weeks after an abortion may show a false positive because it takes time for the pregnancy hormones to leave the body. But most people can tell they are no longer pregnant soon after the abortion because their symptoms of pregnancy go away.)
Another risk is if the pregnancy is outside the womb. This is called an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. This is very rare (only about 2 of every 100 pregnancies). In these cases, the abortion pills will not work and the person will need timely follow up medical attention, which can be obtained at any medical facility. Because of this small risk, it is important to always do a pregnancy test 3-4 weeks after taking the pills and to seek immediate care if the test is positive. It is also important to seek care if there are any continued signs or symptoms of pregnancy after the abortion (such as severe and increasing abdominal pain, particularly if it is one sided). Ectopic pregnancy is rare but can lead to serious health consequences.
Abortion pills work best in the first 11 weeks of pregnancy. Using pills later in pregnancy will be more painful and less effective. The risk of complications also goes up as the pregnancy grows.
This calculator can help you know how many weeks pregnant you are (based on the first day of your last normal period). People who don’t know the first day of their last period or who have periods that don’t come regularly may need to have an ultrasound or pelvic exam to find out how many weeks pregnant they are.
Yes, and no. Abortion pills are prescription medications in the US. People can get a prescription for the pills from abortion clinics and some family practice clinicians. It is now possible to get a prescription and pills using telemedicine, meaning no clinic visit is needed. Our Guide to finding pills lists telemedicine services in some states that can mail pills directly to the patient's address.
We also know that many people are buying abortion pills through online pharmacies without a prescription. Some people also find the pills in bodegas or across the border in Mexico. Finding and using pills without consulting a medical provider is often called "self-managed" abortion. Our Guide to finding pills provides information about how people are doing this. It is important for those considering this option to understand any legal risks (see below--Can I Get in Trouble?).
Many groups provide information about how to take abortion pills. HowToUseAbortionPill.org provides excellent instructions for mifepristone plus misoprostol abortion and misoprostol-only abortion. The instructions are available in 27 languages. The website also includes a live chat feature.
Abortion pills cause bleeding and cramping. This is a natural part of the abortion process and shows that the pills are working. Many people do not have any symptoms after taking the first pill (mifepristone). The bleeding and cramping usually start soon after taking the second set of pills (misoprostol).
The bleeding may be heavier than a normal period and the cramping can be mild to severe. This can vary for each person and by how far along the pregnancy is.
Other common side effects include feeling sick to your stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and fevers.
The website howtouseabortionpill.org has great information about what you can expect when you take the pills and how to manage side effects.
Severe symptoms (very uncommon) that require immediate medical attention include:
To prepare for taking abortion pills at home, abortionfinder.org recommends gathering the following supplies in advance:
Abortion pills can cost anywhere from $40 to $600 or more:
Many services accept insurance/Medicaid or offer discounts to those who can't pay. Check with your local provider or preferred online service for more precise explanation of costs.
No. Plan B is emergency contraception, a pill to take up to 5 days after having sex without using birth control. Plan B prevents pregnancy.
Plan C is our term for abortion pills. These are taken after a missed period (up to 77 days from the first day of your last normal period).
We believe that everyone should have access to a full range of options:
Because there are many ways to get abortion pills in the US, it can be confusing to know what's what. There are two main ways to access abortion pills.
A "clinician-supported" abortion means that a clinician (like a doctor or nurse practitioner) asks the patient for basic medical information, reviews that information, prescribes and dispenses the medications, and is available to help answer questions before, during and after the abortion. Examples of clinician-supported services include:
A "self-managed" abortion means that a person finds and takes the abortion pills without consulting a clinician. Examples of self-managed abortion include:
Both ways to access pills are safe, but self-managed abortion may have some legal risks. See our section "Can I get in trouble?" for more information about the legal considerations for self-managed abortion.
Abortion is legal in the United States and abortion pills are approved medications. But, how people get the pills may affect their risk of being prosecuted.
No one should ever be punished for providing their own medical care. But, at least 24 people who have used abortion pills on their own are known to have been prosecuted. Those who are already at greater risk of criminalization because of their race, gender identity, economic status, or other factors may have a higher risk of prosecution. People who live in very conservative states may face a higher risk of prosecution. A few states even have laws that say that self-managing an abortion is illegal.
Plan C believes that each person should have access to information to make their own decisions about risk. The information below is not intended to endorse self-managed use nor is it legal advice. It is what we know from the experiences of people who have self-managed their abortions.
The Repro Legal Helpline provides free and confidential legal advice that can help people assess their specific situation and level of risk. Contact them online or at 844-868-2812.
Why have some people gotten in trouble?
Everyone living in the United States has a constitutional right to abortion, including self-managed abortion. A small number of people who have used abortion pills on their own have gotten in legal trouble in the United States. To help understand the level of risk it is helpful to compare the number of people prosecuted to the number of people who have used abortion pills on their own (without a prescription from a licensed provider). Over the past 20 years, there have been at least 24 cases where people have been prosecuted for self-managing their abortions (charges have varied from concealing a birth to homicide). During that same time, research suggests that a hundred thousand (or likely more) people have self-managed their abortions.
“I went to urgent care because I was scared about the bleeding, and my doctor reported me to the police.”
Everyone should be able to access urgent care when they are concerned about their health. But, in a few cases urgent care staff have called the police on people who have taken abortion pills that they purchased online. This is not ethical and should not happen. People who self-manage their abortions should know that if they seek help at an urgent care clinic, they do not need to report that they have used abortion pills that they purchased online. No one can tell that you have used the medications, even if a blood test is taken. People who visit urgent care often say they are having a miscarriage (without mentioning that they have taken pills). The urgent care providers can give safe and effective treatment without knowing the cause of the miscarriage.
“The tissue that came out was bigger than I expected and I didn’t know what to do with it.”
Sometimes people have been discovered and reported to the police because of the way in which they disposed of the miscarriage tissue. Most early abortion tissue is just blood and clots (like a heavy period) that can be flushed down the toilet. But sometimes when abortion pills are taken later in pregnancy there is more tissue. It can be hard to know how to dispose of it (this is true when someone has a miscarriage, too). Some people have been discovered when tissue has been found in the public sewer system, when they have told friends about their situation and the friends have reported them to the police, or when they have shared information with their medical provider and been reported.
“My boyfriend found information in my search history and reported me.”
Digital communications (like email and texts) can be used as evidence against someone who has done an abortion on their own (without a prescription). Some people protect their digital privacy by using free VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) such as TOR. VPNs can be used on computers and phones. They keep your identity and location private when you search for information and make purchases (like buying abortion pills online). People also use encrypted email (like Proton Mail) and secure texting (like Signal) to keep online communications private. Some people keep online purchases discreet by using online currency such as Bitcoin.
Once someone has decided to have an abortion, they should be able to do so safely, effectively, and with dignity. No one should be arrested or jailed for ending their own pregnancy. But, if someone who chooses to use abortion pills outside of the established medical system gets into trouble it is important for them to get legal help. Organizations that can help people get legal help are:
Options for an at-home abortion will vary based on your location. Click below to find options in your state.
We’ve partnered with several organizations dedicated to supporting folks having abortions and miscarriages. Use the menu below to connect with one of our partners based on your care preferences.
Educational resources to answer your questions about abortion pills and the self-managed abortion process. If you have additional questions you can get free text and phone support.
Groups that can help you understand your rights and answer questions about the legal landscape of self-managed abortion in the U.S.
If/When/How: Lawyering for Justice advocates and lawyers provide free, confidential legal advice and information through their helpline. Reach them online or at 844-868-2812. They also defend people who are prosecuted or threatened with prosecution for self-managing their abortion. Their fact sheet also has some great information about legal issues.
NAPW is the leading organization providing pro bono (free) legal assistance to women who have been charged with a crime because they sought to have an abortion, because they had an abortion, or because a doctor, police officer or prosecutor thought a woman had or tried to have an abortion.
The Guttmacher Institute is a leading research and policy organization committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in the US. They share data on abortion access and legal restrictions to abortion in each state. Find their overview of abortion laws by state here.
Organizations offering funding to people seeking abortions
The National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) is a justice-centered organization that helps individuals to remove their financial and logistical barriers to abortion access across the US.
The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of providers. The NAF Hotline offers unbiased information about abortion, referrals to quality providers, and financial assistance. It’s free and serves everyone, regardless of their individual situation.
More resources to answer your questions about obtaining and using abortion pills.
With more than 750 health centers, AbortionFinder.org features the most comprehensive directory of trusted (and verified) abortion service providers in the United States.
INeedanA.com helps people find abortion providers and resources based on location. They can help you avoid misinformation and stigma from anti-abortion organizations (that often pretend to be clinics).
Your local Planned Parenthood health center has compassionate, professional staff who can give you accurate information, non-judgmental support, and expert health care. Many PP’s are offering telemedicine appointments and parking lot pickups for easier access. Call your local health center to learn about their services.
You can also view Planned Parenthood International's pamphlet Understanding Abortion here.
The mission of Women on Web is to provide safe, accessible and affordable online abortion care to women and people around the world (for the US, see aidaccess.org). They work to catalyze procedural and legal change in abortion access through telemedicine, research, community outreach, and advocacy. They are building a world where safe abortion care is accessible for all women and pregnant people, free from shame and stigma.