More women, particularly in restrictive states, go online for abortion pills

Women living in states with more restrictive policies on abortion are turning to online sources for medications that can be used to induce the procedure, a study published Thursday found.

The study in the American Journal of Public Health examined data from a European online service called Women on Web. The service mails women early in their pregnancy two drugs — mifepristone and misoprostol — after a doctor reviews an online form filled out by the women.

The women can then take the pills at home, without having to go to a clinic or other abortion provider.

Over a period of 10 months — October 2017 to August 2018 — 6,022 people in the U.S. sought out Women on Web for access to the abortion pills, the study found. Of those, 76 percent were living in states with added restrictions on abortion, such as mandatory counseling and ultrasounds.

The highest demand was in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas, though requests came in from every state in the country — even those with the fewest restrictions, like New Hampshire. The only stipulation in that state is aimed at minors, who must notify a parent before having an abortion.

Reasons why women turned to an online source for abortion pills varied, but cost was a big factor.

"We know that requiring people to come for two ultrasounds or have a waiting period makes the abortion cost more," said the study's lead author, Dr. Abigail Aiken, an assistant professor of public affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

"In supportive states, the biggest barrier was fear of harassment by protesters," Aiken said.

More:

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/people-are-going-online-abortion-pills-especially-states-more-restrictions-n1068036