A new study published in BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health has found that many women who undergo a chemical abortion may experience more pain than they anticipate. The study surveyed over 1,600 women in the United Kingdom who had taken abortion pills to terminate a pregnancy, and found that about half reported that the pain was more severe than they expected.
The study found that the majority of women (92%) rated their pain as at least a 4 out of 10 on a pain scale, with over 40% rating their pain as severe (8-10). The study concluded that women needed to be given more accurate and realistic information on pain to manage it and support informed consent for abortion method choice.
The survey also found that two-thirds of women would choose abortion pills again if needed, but 13% would opt for a surgical abortion, with the majority of this group citing the intense pain they experienced as a factor.
Some women in the study felt that the pain was no worse than period cramps, but others described the pain as worse than they had anticipated. The study’s lead author, Hannah McCulloh, said that women want more detailed and realistic information to make choices about treatment and to be prepared for medical abortion.
Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director and pro-life advocate, said the study exposed the truth about chemical abortions and that women are often not told the truth about what happens during the procedure. Johnson hopes that women will realize they were not given accurate information about their medication abortion and that they were seen as a source of income by the abortion industry.
The study highlights the need for more accurate information and support for women undergoing a chemical abortion.