Ordering abortion pills online through telehealth may seem easy. However, there are some risks involved. If you’ve just taken a pregnancy test and think your next step is to get the abortion pill online, there are some things you need to know first.

As with any form of telemedicine, there are risks. Important things can be missed. For instance, I woke up one day with bright red eyes. I knew right away it was pink eye. I was able to get a telehealth appointment that day. She looked at me and then sent in a prescription for drops.

The next day, it was worse! I took pictures and sent them to her, and she told me that I needed to get to an eye doctor as soon as possible. I ended up having an infection in both eyes that could have turned bad if I had not gone in to see someone in person.

It’s the same with abortion. Many women go to abortion sites and order their pills. There are a few problems with getting the abortion pill online.

You could get fake, expired, or substandard pills. This means they could be ineffective or harmful to your health.

You could receive the wrong dosage. Without proper medical supervision, you could risk taking the wrong dosage, affecting effectiveness and safety.

You could have an incomplete abortion. To read more about this risk, read The Danger of an Incomplete Abortion.

If you get the abortion pill online, you could delay or mask the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies are medical emergencies and something an online medical professional cannot reliably diagnose. Read more, here: What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Ordering the abortion pill online means that you do not have access to in-person medical supervision. Follow-up care is not provided or guaranteed by many online sites. You will need to see an OB/GYN or another qualified medical professional for in-person follow-up services.

You will also not have access to STI testing if you get the abortion pill online. Having an active STI during an abortion can cause complications, which may include spreading the infection. Read more, here: I Want an Abortion, Why Do I Need to STI Test First?

Your health matters. YOU matter. Pregnancy can be scary! Especially unplanned pregnancies. Whether you are considering abortion, adoption, or parenting, you deserve to have ALL the information available to you.

Alcove Health can help. We provide laboratory-grade pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and limited STI testing, all completely FREE.

Ultrasounds will help confirm if the pregnancy is in the right place. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, it is a medical emergency, and an abortion pill will NOT help you. An ultrasound is also a more accurate way to determine how far along you are.

Finally, an ultrasound can see if the pregnancy is viable. You can find out more information about the importance of an ultrasound, here: What Is an Ultrasound?

Telehealth is great, but it’s not suitable for every situation. It wasn’t right for my eyes, and it isn’t the best for sexual health. Here at Alcove Health, we offer the services women facing unplanned pregnancies need.

Our clinic is warm, inviting, clean, and judgment-free. You’ll be able to talk about your options and have the opportunity to ask any medical questions with your registered nurse face-to-face. You will have everything you need to make an informed decision.

So, before you get the abortion pill online, make a safe decision for your reproductive health: call or click here to schedule your free and confidential medical appointment with Alcove Health.