Bibliographic information
GuidelineAbortion care guideline, 2nd ed
Year of Publication2024
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
For pain management for surgical 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 to those who want it
Recommended in favor
Strong
Notes and Remarks
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.