Maybe you don’t feel ready to be pregnant right now, but you want to have children in the future. If you’re considering abortion in Ohio, you may be concerned that the procedure could cause fertility problems down the road.
Unfortunately, abortion isn’t a risk-free procedure. It’s important to be aware of the impact it can have on your body now and how it can affect future pregnancies. Keep reading to learn more.
Can Abortion Cause Infertility?
Abortion increases the risk of two conditions that are known to cause fertility issues: Asherman’s Syndrome and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
What is Asherman’s Syndrome? How Common is Asherman’s Syndrome After a D&C?
Asherman’s Syndrome causes scar tissue to build up inside the uterus. It’s commonly caused by surgery of the uterus or cervix, such as Dilation and Curettage (D&C), a procedure used to perform abortions[1].
Women who have had multiple surgical abortions are at greater risk of developing Asherman’s Syndrome and having trouble becoming pregnant in the future[2]. Up to 13% of women develop the condition after a D&C in the first trimester. For women who have late-term abortions, the risk increases to 30%[3].
What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs, which occurs when bacteria spread from your vagina to your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is commonly caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia infections. However, it can also develop when the barrier created by the cervix is damaged and bacteria spread to the reproductive tract, which can happen after an abortion[4]. When left untreated, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease drastically increases your risk of infertility[4]. In fact, more than 100,000 women each year become infertile because of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease[5].
Can Having an Abortion Affect Future Pregnancies?
Untreated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease from an abortion significantly increases the chance of having an ectopic pregnancy in the future[4]. This can occur when the infection causes scar tissue to form in the fallopian tubes. This scar tissue traps the embryo in the fallopian tubes and prevents it from reaching the uterus[4].
Additionally, research suggests that there is a link between surgical abortion and an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight[2]. Babies with low birth weight are more likely to experience certain health conditions, such as[6]:
- Breathing problems
- Jaundice
- Trouble keeping warm
- Infections
- Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Long-term complications from low birth weight include[6]:
- Delayed motor and social development
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Learning disabilities
Complications from abortion can have lasting effects on future pregnancies. We encourage you to speak to a medical professional so you can ask questions, get answers, and make the most informed decision for your health and future.
Abortion Information in Athens, OH
We understand how scary this present moment is. It may feel like the rest of your life hinges on a single decision. You don’t have to do this alone. Our compassionate patient advocates are here to answer all of your questions and help you make a decision you can be confident in.
Give us a call at (740) 592-4700 or schedule your appointment today. All services are confidential and free of charge.
Please be aware that Athens PRC does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Asherman’s Syndrome. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, January 8). Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16561-ashermans-syndrome
- Tobah, Y. B. (2022, August 3). Elective abortion: Does it affect subsequent pregnancies? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551
- Smikle, C., Yarrarapu, S. N. S., & Khetarpal, S. (2022, June 27). Asherman Syndrome. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448088/
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, April 30). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Cleveland Clinic. (2023, February 8). Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9129-pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2022, September 20). Birth Weight. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/birthweight.html