Remark

• For cervical priming, additional pain medication can be considered, such as the use of intravaginal gel. (See Recommendations 17–20 below on cervical priming)

Implementation considerations

• Sufficient supplies and stocks of pain medications should be ensured.
• Training of providers in abortion care should include pain management, in particular the technique for administration of paracervical block.

KEY HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO PAIN MANAGEMENT

• States must ensure adequate access to essential medicines in an affordable and non-discriminatory manner.
• Denial of pain medication may violate a wide range of human rights, including the right to health and autonomy in decisionmaking.
• Denial of pain medication as punishment for abortion or because it is part of abortion care may violate the right to equality and nondiscrimination.
• Denial of pain medication may violate the right to be free from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. For further information and sources, please refer to Box 1.2 and Web annex A: Key international human rights standards on abortion.