New Research Reveals Abortion Pill Complications

As we navigate the complexities of reproductive health in 2025, it’s more important than ever to approach sensitive topics with both clarity and care. At Crossroads Care Clinic, we are committed to supporting women through every step of their journey, offering compassionate guidance, accurate information, and a safe space for exploration.

For years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has described the abortion pill as safe and effective, with serious complications occurring in less than 0.5% of cases based on clinical trials. However, new research from 2025 indicates that the risks and complications are much more common.

This article dives into these findings, highlighting the complications associated with the abortion pill and the vital role of ultrasounds in protecting women’s health. Keep reading to learn more.

Key Findings from the 2025 EPPC Study

A study released in April 2025 by the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) analyzed insurance claims from women who took the abortion pill. This research, which examined over 865,000 cases, suggests that the abortion pill is not as safe as previously portrayed, with one in ten women experiencing serious adverse events.

Here are the study’s most striking insights[1]:

Core Statistic: 10.93% of women who took mifepristone faced severe or life-threatening complications within 45 days of the procedure—at least 22 times higher than “less than 0.5%” reported by the FDA.

Types of Complications: Complications included sepsis, infection, and hemorrhaging, which can all be life-threatening. Each requires immediate medical care in order to treat.

Human Impact: These aren’t abstract statistics; they represent real women enduring physical and emotional pain as well as unexpected medical bills.

Why the Discrepancy in Safety Data?

The current FDA-approved drug label refers to the results of 10 clinical trials with a total of 30,966 participants. In those trials, less than 0.5% of participants experienced serious adverse reactions. However, it is based on data from trials that took place more than 10 years ago.[2]

Additionally, the FDA conducted its trials in controlled environments, which did not account for real-world variables. Key differences between clinical trials and real-world data include:

Ideal Trial Conditions: Clinical trials often occur in controlled environments where participants are closely monitored, gestational ages are precisely confirmed, and follow-up care is provided as needed.

Relaxed Real-World Protocols: In contrast, the relaxed protocols of recent years—allowing self-administration at home without in-person verification—expose women to variables like undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies or later-stage pregnancies, both of which increase the risk of serious complications.

Serious Abortion Pill Complications

The primary abortion pill complications highlighted in the study include[3]:

Hemorrhaging: Prolonged, heavy bleeding that requires blood transfusions or emergency surgery to treat.[4]
Sepsis: Sepsis, a severe infection, can be caused by an incomplete abortion. Sepsis can cause organ failure, tissue damage, and even death if untreated.[5]
Emergency Interventions: Frequent ER visits, hospitalizations, and surgical procedures to treat hemorrhaging and sepsis.

The abortion pill involves more than just cramps and discomfort. It can lead to serious, life-threatening complications that can have lasting impacts on women’s health.

Why You Need an Ultrasound Before an Abortion

The original FDA guidelines from 2000 mandated in-person visits and ultrasounds, but eventually removed these mandates. With telehealth expansions, many women now proceed without an ultrasound, increasing the risk of serious complications.

An ultrasound isn’t just a routine step, it’s a safeguard to protect your health. It determines two key factors about your pregnancy: viability and gestational age.

Viability

A viable pregnancy indicates that the pregnancy is progressing normally and has the potential to continue to term. During an ultrasound, technicians check for signs like a detectable heartbeat, which typically appears between 6.5 and 7 weeks of gestation.[6]

Having an ultrasound before abortion also helps rule out nonviable pregnancies, such as miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies (where the embryo implants outside the uterus). In these cases, abortion is not necessary. Alternative medical care is required, especially for ectopic pregnancies, which can be life-threatening if untreated.

Gestational Age

Gestational age refers to how far along you are in your pregnancy, measured from the first day of your last menstrual period.

In Indiana, knowing your gestational age is crucial because the abortion pill (mifepristone) is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks of gestation.[7]

Crossroads Care Clinic provides free ultrasounds to women who receive positive pregnancy tests at our center. Schedule your appointment today.

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Get the Facts on the Abortion Pill at Crossroads Care Clinic

At Crossroads Care Clinic, we believe that you deserve to know all the facts about the abortion pill, including the risks and complications. When you have the facts, you can make informed, empowered decisions.

Whatever you’re facing, we’re ready to help. Schedule a confidential ultrasound or consultation today. Give us a call at (812) 234-8059 or schedule your appointment online to get started.

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Please be aware that Crossroads Care Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services.