Bibliographic information
GuidelineAbortion care guideline
Year of Publication2022
Issuing InstitutionWHO
Recommendation
Updated
For medical abortion at any gestational age: Recommend that pain management should be offered routinely (e.g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) and that it should be provided for the individual to use if and when wanted
Recommended in favor
Strong
Notes and Remarks
Implementation consideration
- Regardless of the service modality, there should be clear communication to the woman on the pain she may experience, which may vary based on pain perceptions and tolerance. In any event, she should be provided with information on pain management, and access to adequate pain medicines should be ensured.
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.