All medical procedures are associated with side effects and complications. The most common side effects seen with medical abortion are pain, bleeding, gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), thermoregulatory effects (warmth, fever, chills), headache, and dizziness.

The possible complications include persistent nonviable gestational sac, persistent bleeding requiring surgical intervention (collectively termed "incomplete abortion" in some medical abortion studies), hemorrhage, ongoing pregnancy, uterine infection, and ectopic pregnancy.

Approximately 2% to 10% of women who choose medical abortion will require uterine aspiration to evacuate an ongoing pregnancy or a persistent gestational sac, or to control bleeding.

Clinicians who offer medical abortion need to be familiar with the range of potential side effects and complications in order to provide this service in a safe and effective manner. They must also convey to women who undergo the procedure a clear sense of what to expect during medical abortion.

Adequate counseling can allay fears and correct misperceptions. Counseling also helps ensure that women are optimally prepared to manage side effects and to report developing complications promptly and accurately.

Proceed to the CME post-module test for Expected Side Effects and Management of Complications in Medical Abortion.

If you do not want to take the CME post-module test and receive credit for this CME activity, proceed to another module.

References for this module

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