The current abortion law in El Salvador, passed in 1998, bans abortion in all circumstances, even when the pregnancy poses a risk to a woman’s life or in cases of rape.
Additionally, in January of 1999, Article 1 of the Constitution was amended to recognize the right to life from the moment of conception, further criminalizing abortion by providing the legal basis for the state to prosecute abortion related crimes as homicide.
The cases of rape are particularly devastating given the high rates of sexual violence in the country. It is also considered a crime to help a woman or a girl who wants an abortion.
Is Abortion Legal in El Salvador?
No.
What Types of Abortion are Available in El Salvador?
Non punishable abortions only:
Medical: Misoprostol-only regimens.
Surgical: Manual vacuum aspiration abortion (MVA) and Dilation & Curetage (D&C).
What is the abortion rate in El Salvador? How Many Women Have Abortions?
Due to the highly restricted ban on abortion, official figures underestimate significantly the actual abortion rate in the country. According to the Ministry of Health, there were 19,290 abortions in El Salvador between 2005 and 2008. More than a quarter of them were undergone by girls under 18.
Abortion with Pills (Medical Abortion) in El Salvador.
Are the Abortion Pills (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) Available in El Salvador?
Mifepristone: NOT available.
Misoprostol: Access highly restricted.
How Late Into a Pregnancy Can the Abortion Pills Be Used?
Technically, medical regimens can be used at any gestational age, provided the recommended regimen is used for any specific indication/gestational age.
Do I Need a Prescription for Mifepristone? Misoprostol?
Mifepristone: NOT available.
Misoprostol: Yes, a prescription is required.
What Brands of Abortion Pill Are Popular in El Salvador?
ACE Miso, 200 µg (4 tablets)
Cytotec, 200 µg (28 tablets)
How Much Do the Abortion Pills Cost in El Salvador?
Misoprostol: From $ 0.53 to $ 6.64 USD per pill
Who Can I Contact for More Information on Abortion in El Salvador?
There are no local organizations.
It is recommended to contact these organizations via web:
Women On Web,
safe2choose,
Women Help Women.
In-Clinic Abortion in El Salvador
What are the Different Types of in-Clinic Abortion Procedures Available in El Salvador?
Dilation & Curetage abortions (D&C) for the first trimester.
Where Can I get a Manual Vacum Aspiration (MVA) Abortion in El Salvador?
Information not available.
How Much Does Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) Cost in El Salvador?
Information not available.
How to get further information?
For additional information and support, you can get in touch with our trained multilingual female counselors.
[1] GLP_FS_ElSalvador-Final.pdf (reproductiverights.org)
[2] Twelve facts about the abortion ban in El Salvador | Amnesty International
[3] El Salvador’s Abortion Provisions | Center for Reproductive Rights
[4] Disponibilidad y uso obstétrico del misoprostol en los países de América Latina y el Caribe. Luis Távara-Orozco, Susana Chávez, Daniel Grossman, Diana Lara, Martha María Blandón. Revista Peruana de Ginecología y Obstetricia. 2008, 54(4)