Most abortions in New Hampshire are done with pills. Here’s how they work.

In 2023, medication abortions accounted for 63% of all abortions performed across the US. In New Hampshire, the safe and effective method was used 68% of the time.

Did you know that more than 65% of all abortions in New Hampshire are performed using a safe and effective medication rather than a surgical procedure? 

According to new data from the Guttmacher Institute, there were more than 642,000 medication abortions in the US in 2023, accounting for 63% of all abortions in the formal health care system. This is an increase from 2020, when medication abortions accounted for 53% of all abortions.

The most recent statistics available for New Hampshire show that in 2023, medication abortions accounted for 68% of all abortions in the state. And of those, 16% were provided at an online-only clinic (or telehealth appointment).

Medication abortion is a prescription drug combo that can be taken up to 11 weeks after the first day of a woman’s last period to end a pregnancy. One pill blocks progesterone—the hormone that supports a pregnancy. The other causes cramping that empties the uterus. It’s safer than penicillin and Viagra. 

Reproductive health advocates say the shift toward medication abortions is driven by convenience, safety, and the ability to terminate a pregnancy in the privacy of one’s home. 

In New Hampshire, the process to get a medication abortion is relatively simple. Abortion providers such as those at Planned Parenthood Northern New England offer telehealth appointments, with the option of receiving the medication through the mail or by an in-person pick up. In-person appointments at abortion clinics are also an option.

The average cost for the abortion pill in the state is $500, but could be higher depending on the provider. Planned Parenthood offers financial assistance for those who need it.

As the use of abortion pills increases, so does the myriad of legal battles over access to the medication, both nationally and regionally. While New Hampshire does not impose significant restrictions on medication abortion, advocates worry that legal challenges at the federal level could impact future availability.