DENVER — A new study shows that self-managed abortions have gone up since the overturning of Roe v Wade. Self-managed means any abortion that is outside a formal healthcare system or without medical supervision.
"I think it's multiple reasons that [it] has gone up," said Dusti Gurule, the CEO and president of the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR).
COLOR is an advocacy group looking to protect abortion rights by amending the Colorado state constitution this fall. Colorado will be one of 10 states voting on abortion rights this fall. It's a choice Gurule believes no one should take lightly.
"Its about equity, it's about justice, it's about providing the people who need this care the ability to get the care if they make that decision for themselves," Gurule explained. "We want to continue to remove barriers that are impacting our community and that is what this ballot measure will do."
Researchers from the University of California San Francisco found an increase in self-managed abortions after changes in federal abortion protections. According to the study, self-managed abortions increased by about 40%.
Gurule said while the lack of abortion access contributes to the rise, she believes it's also because of the science behind it. Mifepristone, the abortion pill, has proven to be safe and effective by the FDA. The study showed the use of it went up by roughly 65% since the overturning. But some participants used other methods as well, including herbs and self-harm.
Adrienne Mansanares, the CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said the data in the study aligns with what the region is seeing.
"We've continued to see more and more patients giving us a call because they are experiencing crampiness — maybe they're just curious if their symptoms are normal," Mansanares explained. "I think it also underscores a very important point when politicians try to ban abortion care, it does not end abortion care. It just makes it more dangerous, more complicated and more expensive for patients."
The study showed privacy was a big reason for self-managed abortions — some participants also had financial concerns. According to researchers, one in five participants of the study reported that going to a clinic was too expensive.