How Research Fuels the Fight for Abortion Rights

From expanding safe telehealth abortion options across the United States to challenging unjust restrictions in court, Oyrafem is proud to be at the forefront of innovation and advocacy in reproductive health. Our mission is to provide modern, accessible, and compassionate abortion care—while contributing to the broader movement for reproductive freedom through impactful research and data-driven change.

Why Research Matters

At Oyrafem, we believe that research plays a critical role in strengthening access to safe abortion care. Many harmful laws and policies have been enacted under the false narrative that abortion is unsafe or fundamentally different from other forms of healthcare. Decades of evidence prove otherwise—abortion is not only safe, but also a common and essential healthcare experience for millions worldwide.

That’s why we actively engage in research and data collection to improve clinical outcomes, shape public policy, and break down barriers to care.

Leading the Way with the TelAbortion Study

In 2019, Oyrafem joined forces with Gynuity Health Projects for the groundbreaking TelAbortion Study, which explored the safety and effectiveness of mailing abortion pills to clients following a secure telehealth consultation. Participants consented to share their outcomes and experiences, helping researchers gather valuable insights on this innovative model of care.

The study demonstrated that medication abortion by mail is not only safe and effective—it’s also highly preferred by many clients for its privacy and convenience.

Influencing Policy and FDA Guidance

Thanks to results from studies like TelAbortion—and advocacy from dedicated providers, researchers, and clients—the FDA in December 2021 permanently lifted the requirement for in-person visits to receive abortion pills. This pivotal decision allowed people across the U.S. to access abortion care through telehealth, expanding safe options to those in underserved and rural areas.

Oyrafem is proud to have contributed to this historic shift in federal policy. Our clients consistently tell us that being able to receive care when, where, and how they prefer is life-changing—and we are committed to making that experience as smooth and empowering as possible.

Partnering in the Legal Fight for Access

Oyrafem doesn’t just provide care—we fight for it. In partnership with community providers and legal organizations like the ACLU, we’ve worked to defend access to abortion care against unnecessary restrictions in state and federal courts.

Whether it’s pushing back on harmful regulations or advocating for better protections, we are committed to defending your right to choose. Legal and policy work, backed by sound research, ensures that people from all walks of life can access the reproductive care they deserve.

Measuring What Matters: Client Experience

One of the most meaningful ways we evaluate our impact is through feedback from our clients. From March 2018 through December 2019, Oyrafem (in partnership with Ibis Reproductive Health) conducted a comprehensive study measuring satisfaction with our medication abortion services at our Georgia health center.

The findings were clear: both telehealth and in-person clients overwhelmingly appreciated our compassionate, nonjudgmental care, and felt well-informed about the abortion process and their contraceptive options.

We center every aspect of care on our clients’ preferences, values, and emotional well-being—and we’ll continue to refine our services through data and listening.

Additional Research Contributions by Oyrafem

As part of our ongoing commitment to innovation in abortion care, Oyrafem has contributed to several key peer-reviewed studies. These publications inform best practices for care, influence policy, and guide improvements across the reproductive healthcare field.

Recent Studies Featuring Oyrafem:

• Self-assessment of medical abortion outcome using symptoms and home pregnancy testing
  Contraception Journal, April 2018
• Evaluation of a direct-to-patient telemedicine abortion service in the United States
  Contraception Journal, June 2019
• Expansion of a direct-to-patient telemedicine abortion service during the COVID-19 pandemic
  Contraception Journal, March 2021
• Clinical implications of omitting ultrasound before telehealth medication abortion
  Contraception Journal, July 2021
• Misoprostol-Only Abortion Protocol
  Contraception Journal, February 2023
• Abortion on TikTok: misinformation vs reliable information
  American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, June 2023
• Outcomes of misoprostol-only medication abortion: a retrospective review
  Contraception Journal, October 2023
• Acceptability of no-test telehealth abortion regimens
  Contraception Journal, November 2023
• Perceptions of no-test direct-to-patient telehealth abortion regimens
  BMJ Journal of Public Health, October 2024

These studies affirm what we and our clients already know: medication abortion—whether mifepristone-based or misoprostol-only—is safe, effective, and adaptable to different care models.

Moving Forward, Together

At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to each client’s autonomy, dignity, and health. We are deeply grateful to our staff, researchers, legal partners, and supporters who help us deliver care that is collaborative, confidential, and guided by science—not stigma.

If you’d like to support this work or learn more about how Oyrafem continues to lead with care and evidence, visit oyrafem.com.