It’s only natural to wonder if abortion can affect future fertility. An abortion, in and of itself, does not cause infertility, but complications like an infection or scarring are always a possibility with a medical or surgical procedure. Although rare, when those things happen, they can affect a woman’s future fertility.
To understand abortion methods completely, talk with a team member at SouthWest Options for Women. Schedule your free and confidential appointment today.
What Complications Could Cause Fertility Issues?
There are two types of abortions: medical (also known as the abortion pill method) and surgical. An abortion is a serious medical decision, and understanding the potential risks is vital. Certain risks make future complications possible.
The Abortion Pill
The abortion pill method uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy. Possible risks include the following:
- Retained pregnancy tissue
- Heavy bleeding that won’t stop (this could lead to a need for a D&C)
- Diarrhea and digestive pain
- Allergic reaction to the drugs
- Infection
Surgical Abortion
Surgical procedures use medical instruments like a suction device or scraping tool to remove a pregnancy. Dilation and curettage (D&C) is one form of surgical abortion. Possible complications from a D&C include the following:
- Uterine perforation (a small tear in your uterus), which may happen if one of the surgical instruments passes through your uterine wall
- Infection
- Bleeding
How Does This Affect Future Fertility?
A condition known as Asherman’s syndrome can be a result of a D&C or pelvic infection. Although Asherman’s syndrome is rare, it can cause pelvic pain and abnormal uterine bleeding and lead to fertility issues.
What is Asherman’s Syndrome?
Asherman’s syndrome is a buildup of scar tissue in the uterus, which sometimes blocks the cervix (leading to the uterus). The extra tissue creates less space inside your uterus.
It can be caused by having surgery on your uterus, a complicated D&C, or a cesarean section (C-section). It’s also possible to get Asherman’s syndrome if you have a history of pelvic infections.
Having large amounts of scar tissue inside your uterus can be a cause of infertility. However, Asherman’s syndrome is a treatable condition.
What More Do I Need to Know Before an Abortion?
Learning about abortion procedures, side effects to expect, and the potential physical and mental health risks is critical. Although SouthWest Options does not perform or refer for abortion, we can give you factual, medically based information about the methods.
Before doing anything, take advantage of our free pregnancy services. At SouthWest Options for Women, you can confirm your pregnancy with free pregnancy tests and a limited obstetrical ultrasound. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, we can discuss all your options.
Take time to get the facts. We’re here to support you no matter what you choose. Make your free and confidential appointment today.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.