If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, the privacy of ordering the abortion pill online, also known as a medical abortion, may seem appealing. While it may sound simple at first, ordering the abortion pill online bypasses several safeguards put in place to protect your health.
Read on to learn more about the abortion pill and whether a mail-order abortion is worth the risk to your health and future.
An FDA Warning
It’s crucial to check your state’s legal regulations before ordering the abortion drugs online. The FDA highly regulates the first drug, mifepristone. They approve its use only through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Additionally, the FDA recommends not ordering the abortion pill online due to the lack of oversight. Many online sources are from foreign countries. There is no way to ensure the quality, efficacy, and proper dosage of any medicine you receive.
Health Considerations
Not all women are eligible for a medical abortion. Specific methods of birth control, pre-existing health conditions, or medications might limit your ability to have a medical abortion or may put you at greater risk of complications.1
Some of these limitations can include:
- Being pregnant longer than the recommended cutoff date.
- Having an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Having medical conditions, including but not limited to anemia, bleeding disorders, chronic adrenal failure, heart or blood vessel diseases, liver disease, kidney or lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder
- Taking blood thinners or steroids
- Unable to contact a medical provider by phone or don’t have access to emergency care
- Having an allergy to the drug used
Talking with your healthcare provider before having a medical abortion is a critical step in protecting your health and your future.
An ultrasound scan is also often used to check your eligibility for a medical abortion by checking the age of your pregnancy.
Additionally, an ultrasound will confirm that you have not already miscarried or have an ectopic pregnancy, a condition that requires immediate medical intervention.
Getting the Help You Need
Confirming details about your pregnancy and knowing your options before deciding how to handle your unplanned pregnancy is essential.
Lilli Women’s Center is here to help. We offer medical-grade pregnancy tests and ultrasound scans, both free of charge to you.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment and get the answers you need to make the best decision for your future.
Lilli Women’s Center does not perform or refer for abortion.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
- Mayo Clinic, “Medical abortion,” Accessed July 29, 2025.
