Abortion may be an option for women who find themselves pregnant and are not yet ready for a baby. Many women have multiple abortions. It is often said that having more than one abortion can cause difficulties becoming pregnant in the future. Is this true or nothing more than an old wives' tale? Here are some of the things that you should know about the supposed link between multiple abortions and infertility.
Do Multiple Abortions Cause Infertility?
Many people believe that the supposed link between multiple abortions and infertility is nothing more than propaganda spread by pro-life groups who wish to prevent women from making the decision to terminate a pregnancy. According to Colombia University’s Health Q&A Internet Service, multiple abortions carry little to no risk of infertility or other pregnancy complications. This is good news for women who have had more than one abortion and would like to conceive in the future.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that all surgical abortions should be done in a clean and sterilized environment to eliminate or reduce the risk of complications. Only an experienced medical professional should perform a medical abortion. Abortion clinics which operate illegally behind closed doors should be avoided if you want to ensure that the procedure will be done under the safest conditions possible.
Abortion Complications That May Affect Pregnancy
According to Roger W. Harms, M.D. in his Mayo Clinic article, surgical abortions do carry the risk of the cervix weakening or uterine scarring. While it is very rare for these abortion complications to occur, surgery is generally required before the woman can have a successful pregnancy or birth in the future. However, it is important to keep in mind that these complications are not limited to multiple abortions. Any time a woman has a surgical abortion, these rare risks, which may affect pregnancy, can occur.
Ultimately, it is important to keep in mind that multiple abortions are unlikely to cause infertility. While all surgical abortions may cause complications which can affect pregnancy, these risks are rare and can be corrected through surgery. To reduce the risk of the need for multiple abortions, women should choose a reliable method of contraception or consider using Plan B (the “Morning After Pill”) in the event of an accident.
Sources:
Colombia University’s Health Q&A Internet Service, “Effects of multiple abortions” (accessed November 27, 2010).
Mayo Clinic, “Could an abortion increase the risk of problems in a subsequent pregnancy?” (accessed November 27, 2010).
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Jody Morse - Jody Morse is a freelance writer from the Poconos. She earned her B.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in ...
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