Yes. Feeling cold, having chills, or shivering after taking misoprostol is a common side effect of abortion pills. Misoprostol can temporarily affect your body’s temperature regulation, which can make you feel very cold or cause noticeable shaking even when the room is warm.
For most people, misoprostol shivering and chills are temporary and improve within a few hours. They can occur along with nausea, diarrhea, cramping, sweating, or a temporary rise in body temperature.
If you are asking “why am I shivering after taking misoprostol?”, the symptom by itself is usually an expected medication effect rather than a sign that something has gone wrong.
Learn more about common abortion pill side effects during the first 24 hours.
Why Does Misoprostol Cause Shivering and Chills?
Misoprostol is a prostaglandin medication. In addition to causing the uterus to contract, prostaglandins can temporarily affect the part of the body involved in regulating temperature.
That is why misoprostol can cause chills, shivering, shaking, sweating, or a temporary fever.
These symptoms generally begin after taking misoprostol rather than after mifepristone and usually improve as the medication’s effects wear off.
So, if you are experiencing shivering after misoprostol, it does not necessarily mean you are developing an infection.
Is It Normal to Feel Cold After Taking Misoprostol?
Yes. Feeling cold after taking misoprostol is common.
You may experience:
- Chills
- Shivering or trembling
- Feeling unusually cold
- Goosebumps
- Temporary shaking
- Sweating afterward
- A mild or temporary rise in temperature
Some people describe the shaking as surprisingly intense. Even significant shivering can still be caused by misoprostol, particularly during the hours when the medication is most active.
However, the timing and duration of the symptoms matter.
How Long Does Shivering Last After Misoprostol?
For most people, shivering after taking misoprostol lasts for a few hours and then improves on its own.
The exact length varies from person to person. Chills are most reassuring when they begin relatively soon after misoprostol and gradually improve as the medication wears off.
Symptoms that continue well beyond the expected medication period—particularly fever or feeling increasingly sick more than 24 hours after misoprostol—deserve medical attention.
How Can I Stop Shivering After Taking Misoprostol?
If your chills are mild and you otherwise feel well, simple comfort measures may help while the medication works.
You can:
- Use a warm blanket
- Wear comfortable layers
- Rest in a warm room
- Drink fluids regularly
- Sip a warm drink if you feel able
- Check your temperature if you feel feverish
- Follow the pain or symptom-management instructions given by your healthcare provider
You usually do not need to stop the abortion process because of temporary chills alone.
If you are experiencing several symptoms at once, our guide to what to expect during the abortion pill process can help you understand what may happen next.
Is Fever Normal After Misoprostol?
A temporary fever or temperature increase can occur after misoprostol, especially during the first several hours.
What matters is whether it resolves.
A fever that persists for 24 hours after taking misoprostol, begins more than 24 hours afterward, or occurs together with worsening pain or feeling seriously unwell may indicate infection or another complication and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Read more about when a mild fever after abortion pills is normal.
When Are Chills After Misoprostol a Warning Sign?
Chills alone shortly after misoprostol are usually expected. They are more concerning when they are persistent or accompanied by other warning signs.
Contact your healthcare provider or seek urgent medical care if you experience:
- A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that persists for 24 hours after misoprostol
- Fever that begins more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol
- Chills that continue and are getting worse rather than improving
- Severe or worsening abdominal or pelvic pain that is not controlled by recommended pain medication
- Fainting, severe weakness, confusion, or feeling extremely ill
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Very heavy bleeding
You can review our complete guide to warning signs after an abortion and when to call your doctor.
If your symptoms feel severe or potentially life-threatening, seek emergency medical care.
How Much Bleeding Is Too Much After Misoprostol?
Bleeding and passing clots are expected during a medication abortion, particularly after misoprostol.
A commonly used warning threshold is soaking through two full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours.
If this happens, contact your abortion provider or seek urgent medical care.
Learn more about heavy bleeding during a medication abortion and signs that you should go to the emergency room after taking abortion pills.
Is Shivering a Sign That Misoprostol Is Working?
Shivering is a known side effect of misoprostol, but it cannot tell you whether the abortion has been successful.
Some people experience strong chills while others have none at all. Neither situation can confirm whether the pregnancy has passed completely.
Bleeding, cramping, and pregnancy symptoms can provide useful information, but follow-up testing or evaluation may sometimes be needed to confirm completion.
See our guide on signs that the abortion pill has worked.
What If I Am Shivering but Have Not Started Bleeding?
Misoprostol side effects and bleeding do not always begin at exactly the same time.
You may experience chills, diarrhea, nausea, or cramping before bleeding starts. This does not automatically mean the medication has failed.
If you have not started bleeding within the timeframe your healthcare provider told you to expect, contact them for advice rather than taking additional medication without guidance.
You can also read what to do if you haven’t bled after taking abortion pills.
The Bottom Line
Feeling cold, shivering, or having chills after taking misoprostol is usually normal. These are well-recognized side effects of the medication and often improve within a few hours.
Pay more attention to how long the symptoms last and whether other warning signs develop.
Temporary chills shortly after misoprostol are generally expected. Persistent fever, worsening pain, very heavy bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, fainting, or feeling seriously unwell should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing is normal, Serenity Choice Health can help you review your symptoms confidentially.
Book a confidential appointment with Serenity Choice Health.
Dr. James Carter is a board-certified physician and lead clinician at Serenity Choice Health, specializing in reproductive health access and medication abortion protocols. With over 20+ years of experience, he combines clinical expertise with patient-centered care to ensure safe, compassionate, and confidential reproductive healthcare.
