Introduction: The Medical Method of Abortion (MMA) has made Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP)/abortion services easily accessible and convenient to women. However, over-the-counter (OTC)/ self-administered/unsupervised usage of MTP pills can have severe life-threatening consequences for the woman.

Aims and Objectives: To assess the impact of the usage of OTC/self-administered MTP pills in terms of the number of women seeking care from obstetricians for any complications resulting from OTC MTP pills and to describe the clinicodemographic profiles of the women using OTC MTP pills. 

Material & Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional online survey in India undertaken in January 2024 by the FOGSI MTP committee. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted where practitioners were expected to recall their last month of experience with the women who had OTC MTP pills.

Result: A total of 411 practicing obstetricians from across India participated in the study: 352 from private hospitals (86%) and 59 from government hospitals (14%). The most common gestation age was recorded up to seven weeks (46%) after taking OTC MTP pills. Most women aged between 26 and 30 (60.6%) were Gravida-2 (50.1%). The most frequent complications following the use of OTC MTP pills included incomplete abortion (67%) and excessive vaginal bleeding (24%). The primary reason for using OTC MTP pills was unwanted pregnancy in 62% of the cases.

Conclusion: The most common complications when OTC MTP pills are consumed are not only jeopardizing women's health but also putting a burden on health care services. The need for hours is proper awareness, counseling, and easy access to family planning and abortion services that can reduce OTC/self-administered MTP pill usage.

Keywords: Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP), Medical Methods of Abortion (MMA), Self -administered MTP pills, Over-the-Counter/(OTC) MTP pills, Unsafe abortion.

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