How Can Women Get the Abortion Pill Now?

Korin Miller
Photo credit: Oleg Rebrik - Getty Images
Photo credit: Oleg Rebrik - Getty Images

The Supreme Court officially overturned Roe v. Wade today, the legislation that made abortion legal in the United States. More than half of the country is expected to outlaw abortion as decisions on the legality of abortions are now left to individual states.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 26 states have laws in place that could restrict access to abortion now that Roe v. Wade is overturned. On the flip side, 16 states and Washington, D.C., have laws in place to protect the right to abortion, even though Roe v. Wade has been overturned.

All of this has raised a lot of questions about the abortion pill, how women can obtain it, and how it works. Here’s what you need to know.

What is the future of abortion pills now that Roe v. Wade is overturned?

Some states already have restrictions in place when it comes to accessing abortion pills. However, now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, “the future of abortion pills is likely going to face additional legal challenges,” says women’s health expert Jennifer Wider, MD. “It will depend on what state you live in and the rules regarding telehealth,” she adds. “Currently, 19 states ban or restrict abortion care via telehealth.”

What is the abortion pill, and how does it work?

The abortion pill is actually two pills—mifepristone, aka RU-486, and misoprostol, says Lauren Streicher, MD, the clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Mifepristone starts the process of safely terminating a pregnancy by blocking the body’s production of progesterone, “a hormone needed to maintain a pregnancy,” says Wider.

Misoprostol, which is taken 24 to 48 hours later, helps your uterus expel the pregnancy, Streicher explains.

How can women get the abortion pill?

There are a few options. One is visiting a Planned Parenthood facility. You can also visit the AidAccess website to find out your options depending on what state you live in, which can include in-person clinic visits, telemedicine, or mail, Streicher says. Your doctor may also prescribe the medication, although not every doctor will do this, or they could be prohibited from prescribing the medication to you because of state regulations.

Planned Parenthood says you can access its services online through the following facilities, but you must have an address listed in one of the states listed below:

What are the side effects of the abortion pill?

You can expect a few side effects after taking the abortion pill, Planned Parenthood says. Those can include:

  • Fatigue

  • Cramping

  • Bleeding

  • Tender breasts

  • Chills

  • Fever

  • Nausea

Some women also experience diarrhea and hot flashes, Streicher says.

Does insurance cover it?

It depends. You’ll need to check with your specific insurance provider to see if your plan covers abortion services, Wider says.

Do you need a prescription for the abortion pill?

Yes, you need a prescription for the abortion pill. However, you should be able to obtain a prescription from Planned Parenthood or through the AidAccess website.

Is abortion legal in my state?

With the overturn of Roe v. Wade, abortion is no longer protected by federal law, and now the legality of abortions will be left to individual states. The Guttmacher Institute says that the following states, which already have restrictive laws regarding abortion, are expected to ban abortion now that Roe v. Wade is overturned:

  • Alabama

  • Arizona

  • Arkansas

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Idaho

  • Indiana

  • Iowa

  • Kentucky

  • Louisiana

  • Michigan

  • Mississippi

  • Missouri

  • Montana

  • Nebraska

  • North Dakota

  • Ohio

  • Oklahoma

  • South Carolina

  • South Dakota

  • Tennessee

  • Texas

  • Utah

  • West Virginia

  • Wisconsin

  • Wyoming

Does the abortion pill impact long-term fertility?

While pro-life advocates often claim the abortion pill will cause long-term fertility complications, Streicher says that’s “absolutely not” the case.

“According to data from the FDA, the abortion pill does not have a detrimental effect on fertility or future pregnancies,” Wider says. In fact, the FDA specifically states online that it’s possible to become pregnant again soon after taking the abortion pill, and encourages women to use “appropriate precautions” to prevent another unintended pregnancy after taking the abortion pill.

“The major concerns to women’s long-term fertility after an abortion is the risk of a uterine infection, so minimizing the risk of instrumentation significantly decreases that risk,” says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale Medical School. “An infection in the uterus can lead to scarring in the pelvis, which can hinder getting pregnant. So, the less instrumentation, the lower chance of infections.” Meaning, a medical abortion is considered safer than one that involves the need for surgery in terms of potential complications that could interfere with future fertility.

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