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ABORTION
Medication Abortion in the United States
What is medication abortion?
Answer
Medication abortion, an alternative to surgical abortion, involves the
administration of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, to terminate the
pregnancy. Medication abortion is an option only in the first nine weeks of
pregnancy.
How common is medication abortion in the United States?
Answer
Medication abortion has become an integral part of U.S. abortion care. In
2008, medication abortion accounted for slightly more than one-quarter of all
abortions performed before nine weeks’ gestation.[31]
How many U.S. providers offer medication abortion?
Answer
In 2008, almost six in 10 U.S. abortion providers (more than 1,060
facilities), provided medication abortions.[31] At least 9% of providers
offered only medication abortion services.
Has
medication abortion expanded access to abortion in the United States?
Answer
Because it does not involve surgery, medication abortion has the potential to
make abortion services more accessible, particularly in areas without a
surgical abortion provider. But research suggests that although use of
mifepristone has become widespread and has contributed to the shift toward
earlier abortions, its use has not yet substantially improved U.S. women’s
geographic access to abortion services.[39]
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