Abortion Risks: Health Concerns Abortion Poses for Women
The medical industry has long proclaimed that abortion is safe as long as it is legal and women have access to proper medical care. While it is generally considered safe to have an abortion at a local hospital or clinic, extensive scientific research shows that abortion is not nearly as simple and safe as many perceive it to be.
Abortion Risks and Side Effects
A woman in the United States can obtain an abortion either via medication or by having surgery, however, both procedures have risks. The FDA reports that common side effects of a medical abortion include nausea, fever, chills, vomiting, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, and weakness.[1] Surgical abortion complications include perforation of the uterus, cervical tears or lacerations, retained pregnancy tissue, and excessive bleeding.[2]
Caring Network provides personally tailored consultations to each woman who walks through our doors. We provide information on all of the options a woman may have, including carrying the baby to term, adoption, or abortion. We also offer practical help and assistance for women who choose to keep their baby and provide them with the support they need throughout their pregnancy and beyond.
Abortion Risks to Mental Health
Abortion poses a risk to mental health and well-being. A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that women who had an abortion were more likely to abuse alcohol, use marijuana, and far more likely to commit suicide than women who had not had an abortion.[3] Other studies found that abortion can raise the risk of having to use antidepressants,[4] and, for women who have had more than one abortion, increase the likelihood of stress and postmenopausal suicidal thoughts.[5]
At Caring Network, we offer confidential, nonjudgmental post-abortion recovery services to help women through the grieving process. We understand that there are many reasons why a woman may choose abortion, and we provide personalized support that helps women not only overcome the mental health issues arising from abortion but also make informed decisions regarding future medical and personal issues. In our years of experience, we have found that many women who have had an abortion may experience guilt that lowers their self-esteem, leading them to make unsafe choices, which can include staying with an abusive partner. With Christ-centered post-abortion support, we help women regain their sense of self-worth and walk the path of healing.
Abortion Risks to Physical Health
Up to 10% of women who have a surgical abortion experience heavy bleeding. Additionally, post surgery there are risks of the need for additional surgery, blood clots in the uterus or damage to the uterine walls. A study by the journal of Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology found that an abortion may increase a woman’s chance of miscarriage abortion can also increase a woman’s risk of miscarriage in later pregnancies and an increased risk of breast cancer. [8]
Unfortunately, many women are unaware of these risks when weighing their options. Regular clinics may not be equipped to provide pre-abortion counseling, so women may not be aware of all this information prior to their procedure. This is not only unfortunate but also poses a huge risk to a woman’s health. A woman who is considering having an abortion should not only be aware of the risks of both abortion medication and surgical abortion but also take measures to lower these risks to avoid potentially serious health problems.
Abortion medication should never be taken on one’s own. The FDA is very clear that this medication should only be taken under the supervision of a medical professional who can monitor a woman’s health and provide immediate needed care should complications occur. What’s more, pregnant women should be aware that a medical abortion can be reversed after a woman takes mifepristone, the first of two abortion medications dispensed by doctors to terminate a pregnancy, if a woman takes a large dose of progesterone within 24 hours of having taken mifepristone.[9] Pregnant women who are planning on having a surgical abortion should be aware of the symptoms of abortion complications and seek immediate medical treatment should any of these symptoms arise. At Caring Network, we ensure that women are aware of these and other important facts, so they can receive proper care and treatment no matter what course of action they decide to take.
Caring Network offers free limited medical services to pregnant women, including a free pregnancy test, an ultrasound, and options consultation. Our personalized consultations assist women who are considering an abortion, to make informed medical decisions regarding their health and future. Furthermore, we offer support to women who do decide to carry the baby to term and provide care and support to women who have already had an abortion, so they can find healing. If you or someone you know would benefit from our services, get in touch with us to schedule an appointment at your convenience. As our services are free, not even health insurance agencies are informed of visits to our clinic, providing you with the privacy you need to make the best pregnancy-related decisions for your situation.
Sources
[1] Mifeprex: Highlights of Prescribing Information; FDA; www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/020687Orig1s025Lbl.pdf#page=16
[2] Gotter, Ana (2022, June 30); Everything You Need to Know about Surgical Abortion; HealthLine; https://www.healthline.com/health/surgical-abortion
[3] Jaslow, Ryan (2011, September 1); Abortion Tied to Sharp Decline in Women’s Mental Health; CBS News; https://www.cbsnews.com/news/abortion-tied-to-sharp-decline-in-womens-mental-health/
[4] MacGill, Markus; (2022, November 3) Depression after abortion: Risk factors and how to cope; Medical News Today; https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313098
[5] Studnicki, James; Longbons, Tessa; Reardon, David C.; Fisher, John W.; Harrison, Donna J.; Skop, Ingrid; Cirucci, Christina A.; Craver, Christopher; Tsulukidze, Maka; Ras, Zbigniew; (2022, October 11) The Enduring Association of a First Pregnancy Abortion with Subsequent Pregnancy Outcomes: A Longitudinal Cohort Study; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36246345/
[6] Abortion Risks; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abortion/risks/
[7] Abortion Risks; Louisiana Department of Health; https://ldh.la.gov/page/1063
[8] Huang, Yubei; Zhang, Xiaoliang; Li, Weiqin; Song, Fengju; Dai, Hongji; Wang, Jing; Gao, Ying; Liu, Xueou; Chen, Chuan; Yan, Ye; Wang, Yaogang; Chen, Kexin; (2013, November 24); A meta-analysis of the association between induced abortion and breast cancer risk among Chinese females; Springer Link; https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10552-013-0325-7
[9] Abortion Pill Reversal; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/abortion-pill-reversal/
[10] STDs & Infertility; CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/std/infertility/default.htm
