When misoprostol was first introduced to the market in the United States during the 1980s, it was marketed as a gastric protector, with its potential use as an abortion drug listed as a contraindication; it subsequently made its way to Latin America. Since then, thousands of women have explored the ways and doses in which misoprostol could terminate unwanted pregnancies. From these experiences, women in Argentina developed knowledge that became a reference for health professionals and feminist groups who, even in a clandestine context, were largely unaware of how to prescribe misoprostol.

Natacha Mateo holds a degree in Sociology and a PhD in Communication (Argentina). She is a professor at the National University of Mar del Plata and a postdoctoral researcher at CONICET. Her research focuses on the social construction of biomedical technologies from a gender perspective.