Maybe you don’t want to be pregnant right now, but you’d like to be in the future. If you’re considering abortion in Montana, you may be wondering if it could negatively impact your fertility down the road.
Unfortunately, abortion has some serious risks—both short and long-term. It’s important to be aware of the impact abortion can have on your body now and how it can affect your ability to get pregnant in the future. Keep reading to learn more!
Can Abortion Cause Infertility?
Abortion increases the risk of two conditions that can lead to fertility problems: 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 is a condition where scar tissue builds up inside the uterus. It can be caused by Dilation and Curettage (D&C), a procedure often used to perform abortions[1].
Women who have had multiple surgical abortions are at greater risk of developing Asherman’s Syndrome and having difficulty becoming pregnant in the future[2]. Up to 13% of women develop the condition after a D&C in the first trimester. The risk increases to 30% for those who have late-term abortions[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 often caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea infections. However, it can also develop when the barrier created by the cervix is damaged and bacteria spread to the reproductive tract, which can occur after an abortion[4]. When left untreated, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease significantly increases your risk of infertility[4]. In fact, more than 100,000 women become infertile because of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease[5].
Can Having an Abortion Affect Future Pregnancies?
Untreated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease from an abortion drastically increases the chance of having an ectopic pregnancy in the future[4]. This can occur when the infection causes scar tissue to develop in the fallopian tubes. This scar tissue traps the fertilized egg in the fallopian tubes, keeping 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]:
Trouble keeping warm
Breathing problems
Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Jaundice
Infections
Long-term complications from low birth weight include:
Obesity
Diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Learning disabilities
Delayed motor and social development
Complications from abortion can have a lasting impact on future pregnancies. We encourage you to ask questions, get answers, and make the most informed decision for your health and future!
Abortion Information in Missoula, MT
We understand how scary an unexpected pregnancy can be. It may feel like the rest of your life hinges on a single decision, but you don’t have to do this alone! The compassionate client advocates at Care Net are here to answer all your questions and help you make a decision you can be confident in!
Give us a call at (406) 549-0406 or schedule your appointment online today!
Please be aware that Care Net 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/NBK459280/
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
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