Even though we have been told that an abortion can be done safely and that adverse reactions to this procedure are rare, they can still happen. In the following article we will take a closer look at some of the short term and long terms risks and side effects of going through with this procedure.
- Short-Term Side Effects Of Abortion
Short term side effects of abortion procedures are unpredictable. Understanding the potential risks before visiting an abortion clinic is strongly advised for this irreversible procedure. Seeking professional advice and post-treatment is strongly recommended. By understanding how the various methods used work, you can understand how some of these procedures can cause damage to very delicate tissues and sensitive regions.
- Surgical Vacuum Method Side Effects
The most common method is by dilating the cervix and inserting an instrument that suctions the fetus from the womb. Some of the complications that can arise from this procedure include:
- Abdominal swelling and pain after abortion
- Incomplete or partial birth abortion
- Uterine perforation
- Excessive bleeding
- Cervical tears
- Death –– in very rare cases
- Abortion Pill Side Effects
There are also pharmaceuticals available for terminating an unwanted pregnancy in its early stages. For best results, pharmaceuticals like misoprostol and mifepristone should be taken at the earliest symptoms of pregnancy and preferably within the first 50 days, even though they can be effective all the way to the 2nd trimester.
Many who have opted for the abortion method have experienced bleeding which can be light heavy and last anywhere between one and three weeks. Of course these effects are very individual and each woman will experience them differently based on a wide variety of factors.
The major side effects of the abortion pill include:
- Vomiting
- Excessive uterine bleeding
- Painful cramping
- Pelvic infection
- Frequent uterine pain
- Diarrhea
- Incomplete abortion
- Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
- Death –– in very rare cases
Other than these more common and professional options, there are absorption options that may or may not pose fewer risks and side effects. These include herbal abortions and menstrual extractions that do not include intrusive techniques. General sedation, scraping the uterus and suctioning techniques have been associated with higher risks of adverse side effects. On the other hand, attempting a “do it yourself” abortion can be even more dangerous and painful to the mother.
- Long Term Side Effects of Abortion
The short-term side effects of having an abortion show that these procedures are a considerable ordeal for a woman’s body. It’s important to be aware even after initial recovery, that the event can cause more issues later down the line.
- Infertility After Abortion
One of the most important considerations is the desire to have a child in the future. The truth is that women who have aborted a pregnancy once can expect increased difficulties when trying to get pregnant in the future. Abortions can affect future pregnancies in a number of ways.
A surgical abortion that involves uterine scrapping can leave scar tissue on the uterine wall. In the future during a pregnancy, the fetus may not be able to attach to the uterine wall and this will result in what is called an ectopic pregnancy.
If an abortion attempt were applied in an ectopic pregnancy the risks of fallopian tube rupture are greatly increased. This could lead to complete infertility for the mother. There are also certain infections of the fallopian tubes that could lead to total infertility. Salpingitis is an infection that increases the risks of fallopian tube pregnancies and infertility.
- Increased Cancer Risk After Abortion
Women who have had abortions or not carried their baby to full-term (miscarriage) are at risk of developing breast cancer. This is because of some hormonal changes that occur afterwards. One is the drop in the production of estrogen. When this happens cells begin reproducing at a very fast rate. This I why the most feared side effect of multiple abortions is breast cancer.
- Post-Abortion Syndrome
Post-abortion syndrome is a condition of the mind and body that can occur in many women even after a completely safe and successful abortion. Symptoms include loss of appetite, depression, difficulty, sleeping, panic disorders and more.
- Sexual Dysfunction
Abortions have also led to situations of sexual dysfunction. Some studies have noted that many aspects of a woman’s sex life can be altered after one or multiple abortions.
Sexual dysfunction refers to problems that interfere with normal sexual activity or response. Some abortion info from several studies reported that the sexual desire, frequency, orgasm tendency, and satisfaction of women can be severely affected if they had an abortion in the past.
- Other Psychological Disorders And Emotional Effects Of Abortion
Additionally, many women struggle with guilt, depression and even more potent mental conditions such as hallucinations and sleeplessness for any given time after an abortion.
- Final Notes on the Side Effects and Risks of Abortion
It is also important to mention that most medical professionals will recommend having an abortion as early in the pregnancy as possible to reduce the risk and side effects. What this means that having the unwanted pregnancy terminated within 5 weeks will reduce the risks of abortion considerably. Attempting abortions after the 16th week will mean risking severe side effects to the mother. The decision to have an abortion has real health risks and it’s important to weigh both perceived benefits and risks.