Not everyone is ready to start a family when that pregnancy test shows those two lines marking it as positive. If you’re considering having an abortion and terminating a pregnancy you may be wondering about the wider impact of the procedure on women’s health. More specifically, will having an abortion affect your fertility and your ability to have children in the future? After all, just because you’re not ready now doesn’t mean that won’t change in the future. It’s an important and very valid question and in this article, we will take a look at whether abortion affects your chance of pregnancy in the future and answer other fertility- related questions to put your mind at ease and make sure you have all the facts.
Medical abortion with the pill involves stopping the supply of hormones that sustain a pregnancy to the foetus before triggering contractions in the womb to expel the pregnancy tissue, thus mimicking a miscarriage. Surgical abortion involves a minor surgical procedure which manually removes the tissue from inside the uterus to end the pregnancy. When carried out by a registered and licensed practitioner, abortion is considered to be a very safe procedure. However, as with any medical procedure there are of course some risks involved’ this includes heavy bleeding and infection. However, your healthcare provider will explain these risks to you and ensure you know what to do if the need arises and if you need to seek further support or in case of emergency.
So does abortion affect fertility?
Abortion and fertility is a hotly discussed topic. And the answer to ‘does abortion affect fertility?’ is not as straightforward as you may expect.
For the most part, abortion does not affect future fertility or pregnancies. That being said, when there are complications as a result of an abortion procedure there may be an indirect impact on fertility and pregnancy as a result of complications from the procedure. This just drives home the reality of how important it is to seek treatment from a qualified and trusted clinic if you are thinking about going ahead with an abortion.
Abortion can increase the risk of a condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID is an infection as a result of bacteria and can spread to all parts of the reproductive system including the fallopian tubes and ovaries. However, it is normally caused by Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like chlamydia; it can also be caused by damage to the cervix during the surgical abortion procedure. The result of PID is that the scarring caused can make it more difficult for eggs to pass through the fallopian tubes which can lead to ectopic pregnancy. It can also make it more difficult for the embryo to attach to the wall of the uterus, which is required in order to sustain a pregnancy.
The symptoms of PID include but are not limited to: pain and discomfort during sex (usually felt deep inside); heavy and/or painful periods; unusual vaginal discharge; pain in the pelvic region; spotting or bleeding that is not normal for you; you may also experience pain when urinating. If you experience any of these symptoms, whether you have had an abortion or not, you should seek advice promptly from your GP or gynaecologist.
Most abortion clinics will use a gentle method for surgical abortion called manual of actuation suction and to try and avoid the risk of damaging the uterus lining but there is still a possibility of it happening. Damage to the uterus can cause scarring which can then impact how well an embryo can embed to the lining of the uterus. When an egg cannot embed in the lining of the uterus it will not progress to pregnancy. In some cases, the embryo may connect to the uterus and then at a later date detach, causing miscarriage. The likelihood of this occurring increases with the more surgical procedures you have. And scarring can also occur as a result of other forms of surgery in the pelvic area – isn’t necessarily exclusive to abortion surgery. For example, if you have had any surgery for endometriosis this may also cause scarring.
Although there are a few small studies that have found a link between abortion and lower birth weight in babies, the majority of research with larger studies (Induced Abortion: Not an Independent Risk Factor for Pregnancy Outcome, But a Challenge for Health Counseling By Kaisa Raatikainen et al.) suggests that there is no strong association.
How long after an abortion can you become pregnant again?
Technically you can become pregnant as soon as you’ve had an abortion. However, it is recommended that you avoid sex for at least a couple of weeks after abortion to lower the risk of infection. Your healthcare provider will explain this to you and will also talk to you about contraception.
How safe is abortion?
Serious problems with the abortion pill are very rare and data shows that mifepristone, one of the medications used in medical abortion, may be even safer than penicillin and Viagra. However, in a very small percentage of cases the abortion will be incomplete and surgical procedure will be required to remove any remaining tissue to prevent infection and complications. Despite this small risk, medical abortion by pill is considered to be the safest way to terminate a pregnancy. The earlier a pregnancy can be terminated the less risk of complications and the safer it is for you.
A key aspect of making sure abortion is safe is ensuring you have the right experts on hand to guide you – this doesn’t just mean through the procedure but for aftercare as well. When you are considering pregnancy termination it is good practice to ask your potential clinic(s) about what aftercare and support they provide as this is such an important part of the procedure. Based in the Greater London area? If you are looking for a trusted termination provider, this private abortion clinic in London is a great place to start.
Your abortion, your way
Balancing up the risks with the positives can feel like a challenge but hopefully the above information has helped you to understand more about the safety of abortion and it’s impact on fertility and future pregnancies.
Overall, both medical and surgical abortion procedures are considered to be low risk when carried out through registered clinics. If you need further advice or support in terms of making a decision about abortion care, we suggest speaking with a trusted friend or family member, and making sure to contact a clinic if you have any questions about the procedure or aftercare itself.
