Women's perceptions on medical abortion.

The reasons why women choose medical abortion vary in different countries. In most countries, the most common reasons for choosing medical abortion are as follows: (a) avoidance of surgery or general anesthesia; (b) perception that it is safer; and (c) perception that it is more natural than a surgical procedure. In most studies, over 80% of women who chose medical abortion found it acceptable and would choose the same method again if they needed another abortion in the future. They would also recommend this procedure to other women who need an abortion. In selected women, the administration of misoprostol at home was also acceptable. The acceptability of medical abortion may decrease with increasing gestational age of pregnancy, failure of medical abortion, prolonged bleeding and high levels of discomfort and anxiety during the abortion procedure. There was no significant difference in the emotional responses or incidences of psychiatric morbidity between women undergoing medical and women undergoing surgical abortion.