Considering the Abortion Pill in Central Oregon? Get the Facts.

Jun 11
3 min read

An unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming. It's crucial to make an informed decision about your options, especially when considering the abortion pill. This article explores:

How the abortion pill works
The risks of the abortion pill
Oregon abortion law
How to make the best choice for your health and future

What is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill (medication abortion) is a two-drug regimen used to end a pregnancy in its early stages. It consists of two medications:

Mifepristone: The first pill blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to sustain the pregnancy. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot continue, and the embryo stops growing.
Misoprostol: The second pill is taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone. It causes contractions to expel the pregnancy tissue.

By understanding how the abortion pill works, you can make an informed decision about whether it's right for you.

How Late Can You Take the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is only FDA-approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestation (or 70 days or less since the first day of your last menstrual period).[1]

Taking the medication beyond this timeframe increases the risk of complications, and may require further medical intervention, including emergency surgery to address excessive bleeding or incomplete abortion.[2]

Is the Abortion Pill Legal in Oregon?

Yes. Currently, abortion is legal all throughout pregnancy in Oregon.[3] However, as stated above, the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period.

Do I Need an Ultrasound Before Taking the Abortion Pill?

Ultrasounds generally aren’t required before taking the abortion pill in Oregon. However, we strongly recommend receiving one to determine how far along you are.

Taking the abortion pill beyond 10 weeks increases the risk of serious complications, such as heavy bleeding and incomplete abortion, which requires surgery to complete.[4]

Pregnancy Resource Centers of Central Oregon offers free ultrasounds to ensure you have all the information needed to make a fully informed decision. Contact us to see if you qualify.

Can I Get Abortion Pills Over the Counter?

While the FDA has approved certain pharmacies to dispense the abortion pill with a prescription, you cannot obtain it over the counter. The process still requires a medical consultation and prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to ensure your safety.[5]

Can I Order the Abortion Pill Online?

Ordering the abortion pill online from unregulated sources is risky. The FDA warns against purchasing abortion pills from overseas or unverified online platforms, as these pills may be expired, counterfeit, or contaminated.[5]

Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider to ensure you receive FDA-approved medications.

What are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

Like any medical procedure, the abortion pill can have side effects, ranging from mild to severe:

Common side effects[6]:

Bleeding that can last up to a month
Headaches
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea and digestive pain
Chills
Fever
Abdominal cramping (caused by the misoprostol)

Severe side effects (seek medical attention immediately):

Allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock)[7]
Hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding)[8]
Incomplete abortion (remaining pregnancy tissue)[9]
Infection (fever lasting more than 24 hours)[6]

Abortion Pill Information in Central Oregon

At Pregnancy Resource Centers of Central Oregon, we understand that facing an unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming. We're here to provide you with the facts about the abortion pill and guide you through every step of the process.

Our services are confidential, free of charge, and designed to help you make the best decision for your health and future. Give us a call at 541-728-3037 or schedule your appointment online today.

Please be aware that Pregnancy Resource Centers of Central Oregon does not provide or refer for abortion services.

Sources

FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
Redinger, A., & Nguyen, H. (2022, June 27). Incomplete Abortions. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559071/
Oregon Legislative Assembly. (2017, July 5). House Bill 3391. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2017R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB3391/Enrolled
Kapp N, Andersen K, Griffin R, et al. (2021, January 25). Medical abortion at 13 or more weeks gestation provided through telemedicine: A retrospective review of services. Contracept X. 2021;3:100057. doi:10.1016/j.conx.2021.100057. PMCID: PMC7881210. PMID: 33615210. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7881210/
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2025, January 17). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, November 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
FDA. (2019, July). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf
Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687