There are both physical and mental health risks that come with the major medical decision of abortion. This serious medical procedure has impacts on women, whether it’s right away or months or years later.
Understand the risks and what to expect with an abortion before making up your mind. Common physical and mental abortion risks include incomplete abortion, heavy bleeding, anxiety, and depression.
Keep reading to learn more about the potential risks of abortion. You deserve answers to your questions and concerns.
Risks to Your Physical Health
There are two main types of abortion: medical and surgical abortion. According to the Mayo Clinic, here are some physical risks to know about for medical abortion:
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Digestive symptoms such as upset stomach.
Surgical abortion is a bit more invasive and has multiple types of procedures, but they share similar physical risks, including:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
Risks to Your Mental Health
There are also serious mental health effects that women face. A study done by the National Library of Medicine for women after a miscarriage or abortion shares, ‘A significant number of those experiencing a reproductive loss exhibit signs of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.’
The same study reveals that there was often a delay in mental effects, as women may not experience them until a couple of months later – or longer. Other mental health conditions mentioned attributed to reproductive loss, including subsequent relationship problems, substance misuse, and suicidal ideation. It’s important to consider the serious mental risks abortion has on women long-term.
Get More Clarity
Along with knowing the physical and mental health risks of abortion, it’s vital to understand your pregnancy details to confirm your abortion options. Safeguard your health with no-cost pregnancy testing at our center today. We also offer no-cost obstetrical limited ultrasounds to those who qualify to confirm vital pregnancy information.
We’re here to offer more abortion information and insight about abortion risks. Talk in a safe and non-judgemental space today about all your pregnancy options.
Schedule a no-cost and confidential appointment to confirm your pregnancy and learn more about this pregnancy option.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.