Wondering what kind of physical effects abortion has on women? It’s important to understand the potential risks and side effects when considering this option.
Abortion could affect you physically with heavy bleeding, incomplete abortion, or even infection. We want to offer you the facts so you can make a clear decision for yourself.
How Could Medical Abortion Affect Me?
Medical abortion is done in the first trimester of pregnancy with two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol. The potential risks of medical abortion include:
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Incomplete abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
Some of the physical side effects of this procedure include nausea, vomiting, chills, and headaches, abdominal cramping, and vaginal bleeding.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some signs that you should seek medical attention after a medical abortion are:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
What About Surgical Abortion?
Surgical abortion is a more invasive procedure involving medication, surgical instruments, and other medical techniques to end and remove a pregnancy. Some of the physical risks of surgical abortion include:
- Infection
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Perforation of the uterus
Some side effects of surgical abortion could include cramping, spotting, or light bleeding. Signs that you need to seek medical attention are:
- Bleeding that’s heavy enough that you need to change pads every hour
- Lasting dizziness or lightheadedness
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
- Fever
Safeguard Your Physical Health
While there is no way to prevent abortion risks and side effects when going about this route, you can protect your health by knowing where your pregnancy stands before making a pregnancy decision.
Understanding your pregnancy details with an ultrasound will help confirm how far along you are and alert you to any pregnancy complications. Contact us to see if you qualify for a free ultrasound and better understand your options.
We’re here to help. You are not alone!