What Are the Risks of Ordering the Abortion Pill Online?

July 3, 2025

Ordering the abortion pill online will always be riskier than taking a traditional route.

While the FDA approves medical abortion up to ten weeks (70 days) of pregnancy, they only approve it when it is done through their Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. This program includes important safeguards to protect women from harm.

Keep reading to learn about the risks of ordering the abortion pill online. You can also visit Darke County Pregnancy Help Center to talk in person and learn details about your pregnancy.

Top Risks of Ordering the Abortion Pill Online

While there are health risks to consider when taking medical abortion, the following risks are specific to ordering the abortion pill online. 

Missing Critical Health Details without an Ultrasound

Without an ultrasound, ordering the abortion pill online will be based on your own estimate of how far along you think you are in your pregnancy. This can seriously threaten your health if you are much farther along than you think you are (beyond 10 weeks) or you have an undetected ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy is a non-viable pregnancy that implants outside the uterus. If you have one, you will still receive a positive pregnancy test. This condition can go undetected and potentially lead to life-threatening complications, making an ultrasound before an abortion a must.

Lacking Medical Supervision

Taking the abortion pill is not like taking an over-the-counter painkiller. In fact, it’s the opposite because it will cause your uterus to contract and trigger heavy vaginal bleeding with blood clots up to the size of a lemon.

It can be a painful process that requires monitoring. Having a doctor’s office to call or visit or an emergency room nearby is essential. You only have one life, and you don’t want to risk it by trying to do a medical procedure on your own.

Receiving Incorrect Drugs or Dosages

Many online pharmacies are not legitimate or regulated by the FDA. This means you won’t be able to verify that the drugs are the right ingredients or supplied in the correct dosages.

The quality or effectiveness will also not be guaranteed. If you order from overseas, you cannot trust what you receive in the mail. There are many scammers around looking to benefit from your situation. Going through a regulated pharmacy in the United States prevents this risk.

Protect Your Health with a Free Appointment

Darke County Pregnancy Help Center offers free and confidential pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to protect your health.

Visit us today to talk in a confidential space and learn essential details about your pregnancy. We’re here to help you as you consider your options.