This depends on the type of abortion you get. If you get a medical abortion, you will be taking two different medications. One pill stops the pregnancy, and the other pill expels the pregnancy tissue from your body.

If you get a surgical abortion, a doctor must insert a speculum to examine your uterus. Your cervix will be stretched open with dilators either before or during the procedure. Next, the doctor will insert a tube through the cervix into the uterus, which is attached to a suction device. This will empty the uterus.

Pain and discomfort levels vary from woman to woman. Some women experience the physical side effects of cramping, fever, vomiting, chills, etc.

Additionally, some of the emotional and psychological side effects don’t always present themselves until much later.[2]

You can expect to experience light to heavy vaginal bleeding accompanied by cramping for about two weeks. However, if you continue to have bleeding and cramping for more than two weeks, you should seek medical attention.

The side effects of the abortion include:

• Intense cramping
• Bleeding heavier than a period
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Mild fever
• Hot flashes
• Chills

More severe side effects, which need medical attention, include:

• An allergic reaction to the medication
• Infection
• An incomplete abortion
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Passing clots for two or more hours that are equal or larger than the size of a lemon
• Strong smelling vaginal discharge
• Excessive bleeding, using two or more pads in an hour

The abortion pill is only FDA-approved for up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period.[3] If you take the abortion pill later on in your pregnancy, the risk of serious complications increases. You may need emergency surgery to stop heavy bleeding or complete the procedure if it fails or is incomplete.

Getting an ultrasound before an abortion is recommended because you will need to determine the gestational age of your pregnancy to know what type of abortion you need and verify your pregnancy. An ultrasound can confirm if your pregnancy is viable (has not miscarried and is not ectopic).

The abortion pill can cost between $580 to $800 without insurance.[4] Prices may vary based on the dosage you need and the provider you purchase it from.

No, a prescription from a provider or physician who is registered to prescribe the abortion pills is necessary. However, the FDA does permit pharmacies to become certified to dispense the abortion pill with a proper prescription.[5] 

The FDA advises against ordering the abortion pill online. Many online abortion pill providers are located overseas, so the pills they provide may not meet FDA standards.[6] These pills could be counterfeit, expired, or even tampered with. It’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid ordering the abortion pill online.

You should have a pregnancy test as well as STI/STD testing and treatment before an abortion. 

Abortion is currently banned in the state of Texas except to preserve the life of the mother. This does not affect care for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancies. A woman who obtains an abortion cannot be held criminally or civilly liable. Under Texas law, it is not legal to provide abortion pills or abortion-inducing drugs by mail.[7][8]

1. Mayo Clinic. (2023, September 8). Miscarriage. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354304.
2. Smith Dallabrida, E. (2022, October). Study Shows Long-Term Negative Impact of Medication Abortion. Support After Abortion. https://supportafterabortion.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Study-Shows-Long-Term-Negative-Impact-of-Medication-Abortion.pdf  
3. FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
4. As advertised by abortion providers as of March 2025.
5. See source #2.
6. 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 
7. Health and Safety Code Chapter 170A. Performance of Abortion. statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.170A.htm#170A.002. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
8. Health and Safety Code Chapter 171. Abortion. statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.171.htm#170A.002. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.