Increasing Incidence of Self-Managed Abortions
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has highlighted a troubling trend in the United States: an increase in self-managed or “DIY abortions” since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The study reveals that women are resorting to dangerous methods such as alcohol consumption, the use of herbs, and even physical harm in attempts to terminate their pregnancies.
Following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the incidence of women attempting self-managed abortions rose from 2.4 percent to 3.3 percent. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, surveyed approximately 7,000 women before the ruling and 7,100 women a year later to assess this increase.
Factors driving self-managed abortions
The study’s lead author, epidemiologist Lauren Ralph, stated, “Our data show that making abortion more difficult to access does not reduce the desire or need for it.”
The research identified several factors contributing to the rise in self-managed abortions, including concerns over privacy, the high cost of clinical services, and a desire to attempt self-managed abortion before seeking formal medical care.
Methods and consequences
The methods employed by women to self-manage their abortions varied significantly. Some used nonprescription drugs like the morning-after pill (levonorgestrel) and abortion pills such as misoprostol and mifepristone.
Others resorted to alcohol, drugs, or physical harm, such as hitting their abdomen or lifting heavy items. The consequences of these actions often led to serious medical issues. Women reported bleeding and pain, which sometimes necessitated hospital visits. In some cases, the pregnancy ended, while in others, it continued if the measures were ineffective.
The study found that some women who attempted self-managed abortions eventually sought clinical services, while others experienced miscarriages. The authors noted, “The findings confirm what we’ve been saying all along: If you make it difficult to obtain an abortion through formal channels, people will resort to informal methods.”
Historical context: Roe v. Wade
The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision provided a legal foundation for abortion rights in the United States. The case involved Jane Roe, an unmarried pregnant woman, challenging Texas’ abortion ban. The Supreme Court ruled in her favor, establishing that “The United States Constitution provides a fundamental ‘right to privacy’ that protects a person’s right to choose whether to have an abortion.” However, this right was overturned in 2022 with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, eliminating the constitutional protection for abortion.
The study underscores the persistent need for accessible abortion services and the lengths to which women will go to manage their reproductive health in the face of legal restrictions. As the debate over abortion rights continues, these findings highlight the critical importance of safeguarding access to safe and legal abortion services.