Study
Published in Global Public Health
Conducted by researchers from Ipas Development Foundation and partners, this study examines national survey data to understand the growing use of self-managed abortion (SMA) in India. The research confirms that SMA—using abortion pills outside of a clinic—has become much more common and is a safe and effective option, especially in early pregnancy.
Main takeaway
More people in India are ending their pregnancies with abortion pills on their own, without seeing a doctor in person. The study found that self-managed abortion nearly doubled between 2014 and 2021, with no increase in reported health complications. This suggests that SMA can be a safe and effective way to access abortion—especially in early pregnancy and when people have the right information and access to quality medication. However, provider-assisted care is still critical, particularly for those who need abortion later in pregnancy. As India’s abortion law now allows abortion up to 24 weeks, it’s more important than ever to expand access to trained providers for those who need them.
Why it matters
This study is one of the largest to analyze self-managed abortion in India, using data from over 724,000 people. The findings show that more people are choosing SMA, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged or have less education.
“These findings have significant implications for reproductive health policy,” says study co-author Sumit Gulati, from Ipas Development Foundation. “They emphasize the importance of expanding access to quality medical abortion drugs and accurate information while maintaining provider-assisted care for those who need it.”
Key Findings
- More people are self-managing abortions with pills: In 2014, only 19% of abortions in India were self-managed. By 2021, that number had more than doubled to 45%.
- SMA is most common in certain regions: The highest rates were in the Eastern (45%), Central (39%), and North-Eastern (31%) regions.
- Demographics differ: SMA is more common among working people, those with lower incomes, and those with less formal education.
- SMA is safe: The study found no higher risk of complications with self-managed abortion compared to provider-assisted care.
- Policy must catch up: As more people turn to SMA, access to high-quality abortion pills and accurate information must be expanded to ensure safe and informed choices.