Abortion might feel like a choice that will make all your pregnancy-related problems go away. However, choosing abortion comes with risks to your physical and mental health.
Physical Risks of Abortion
There are two types of abortion, and each comes with different physical risks.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, also known as the “abortion pill,” involves taking two powerful drugs at home.
These drugs come with physical risks, which include:
- Incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the pregnancy remain in your uterus
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
These drugs are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is 10 weeks gestation or under. They become less effective the further along your pregnancy is, and you’re more likely to experience a health risk.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinic. The procedure involves dilating (opening) the cervix so that medical instruments, like strong suction and scraping tools, can enter the uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy.
The risks associated with surgical abortion include:
- Uterine perforation (which is when a tool pokes a hole in the uterus)
- Uterine scarring (which can lead to future infertility or painful periods)
- Cervical damage
- Infection
Mental Health Risks of Abortion
Along with physical risks, abortion can cause adverse mental health outcomes.
Studies have shown that some women experience difficult emotions after an abortion, including:
- Sadness
- Grief
- Feelings of loss
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
If you feel at all pressured into an abortion, you’re more likely to experience a mental health complication.
We’re Here for you
Before seeking an abortion, it’s essential to learn all you can to ensure you make the right decision for you.
You’re not alone in this. At the Pregnancy Help Center, we’re here for you. We offer free Options Consultation appointments that will provide you with medically accurate information about abortion and give you the space to ask questions.
We also offer a free, limited ultrasound, a critical first step before making any pregnancy decision.
Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment.