What is a significant risk associated with medication abortion?

What is a significant risk associated with medication abortion?

• A. About 2% risk of complications, including incomplete expulsion and infection
• B. About 10% risk of hemorrhage
• C. No risk
• D. 50% risk of abortion failure

Answer: (A)

Medication abortion uses two medicines to end a pregnancy: one to stop the pregnancy from continuing and another to trigger contractions to expel it. It is very safe, with a small overall risk of complications—about 2%. The most common issues are incomplete expulsion, which may require a follow-up procedure, and infection. This is why the estimate around 2% including incomplete expulsion and infection best matches what’s typically observed. It’s not zero, and it isn’t as high as 10% or 50%; serious problems like heavy hemorrhage are uncommon. If there are warning signs such as very heavy bleeding, fever, or severe pain, medical care should be sought promptly.

Medication abortion uses two medicines to end a pregnancy: one to stop the pregnancy from continuing and another to trigger contractions to expel it. It is very safe, with a small overall risk of complications—about 2%. The most common issues are incomplete expulsion, which may require a follow-up procedure, and infection. This is why the estimate around 2% including incomplete expulsion and infection best matches what’s typically observed. It’s not zero, and it isn’t as high as 10% or 50%; serious problems like heavy hemorrhage are uncommon. If there are warning signs such as very heavy bleeding, fever, or severe pain, medical care should be sought promptly.