CLAIM: Consuming pineapple juice, sesame seeds, parsley water with lemon, or large amounts of aspirin are viable methods of terminating pregnancy.
AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. These home remedies don’t work cancellationand taking large doses of aspirin can damage the gastrointestinal tract, according to doctors.
THE FACTS: In the month since the US supreme court abolished protection of the constitution for cancellationliberate states prohibit the procedureSocial media users have been spreading misinformation about methods to terminate pregnancy at home.
However, doctors say people can self-administer their abortions at home abortion pills like misoprostol, you should not use home remedies you find on social media to terminate a pregnancy as they are not effective and can sometimes be dangerous.
The alleged “home remedies” promoted in a widely shared video on Facebook included pineapple juice, sesame seeds, parsley water and aspirin tablets.
The video claimed that people looking to terminate their pregnancy can drink pineapple juice because it contains an ingredient called bromelain, which “will soften the cervix” and “eventually lead to miscarriage.” The video also touted three other false suggestions: sesame seeds soaked in honey, parsley water with lemon, and four to ten aspirin tablets with water as alleged methods of inducing one cancellation or start the menstrual cycle.
There is no truth to any of these claims said dr Eve Feinberg, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University. Feinberg added that taking large amounts of aspirin can damage the gastrointestinal tract.
“There is no home remedy to induce an abortion or to induce an abortion,” said Dr. Ruth Lathi, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Other doctors agreed, urging people who want an abortion to consult reliable sources rather than unproven cures found online.
“The spread of medical misinformation, myths and fallacies is harmful to patients,” said Dr. Christopher Zahn, chief of clinical practice and interim chief of equity and quality in healthcare for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in an emailed statement. “Just because information is online or on social media doesn’t mean it’s true or based on reliable medical evidence.”
The AP has previously reported false claims that certain herbs are viable alternatives to abortion. Experts said there is no herbal remedies that are safe and effective to induce an abortion or to prevent pregnancy.
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This is part of AP’s efforts to address widespread misinformation, including working with outside companies and organizations to add factual context to misleading content circulating online. Learn more about fact checking at AP.
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