Does abortion causes infertility

An abortion can significantly affect a woman, both physically and emotionally. Although it is termed as a medical procedure, for the woman it is essentially the decision to end her pregnancy. Every woman who decides to undergo an abortion experiences turmoil. With regards to the legality of abortion, the pros and cons of abortion have been discussed widely by many social groups. However, with all that said, one needs to be aware of the pros and cons of abortion before making a decision.

An abortion can be of two types, surgical and medical. There may be different physical side effects of both types of procedures. In a surgical abortion, a surgical procedure is performed to terminate the pregnancy. This could lead to certain side effects such as nausea, vomiting, cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea and reaction to the anesthesia. In rare cases when complications occur during the procedure, the side effects may be aggravated. It is advisable to understand the risks of the procedure before opting to undergo it. In cases where the uterus is punctured or the cervix is torn, hemorrhaging may occur. In such cases, a blood transfusion may become necessary. Abortion, like many other medical procedures, involves the use of anesthesia. In rare case, a reaction to anesthesia may result in convulsions or heart attack. Since the procedure involves inserting certain medical tools into the uterus, there may be a risk for pelvic infection. There may also be scarring of the uterine lining. A medical abortion involves the intake of a pill to induce abortion. The side effects include bleeding, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea and cramping. Some women may experience bleeding for a prolonged period of time. There may also be a risk of infection which may lead to infertility. An incomplete abortion may also occur wherein a part of the fetus is left behind in the uterus. It is only in rare cases that an abortion may pose problems for subsequent pregnancies. However it is advisable to consult your doctor if you are worried about the impact of an abortion on fertility.

A miscarriage is an unfortunate and traumatic event for a woman. There could be many causes for miscarriage. These include hormonal problems, physical problem in the cervix or uterus, chromosomal defects, immune disorders, early labor, ectopic pregnancy, blighted ovum, molar pregnancy and stillbirth. Fertility after miscarriage is known to increase due to the increased levels of progesterone in the body. This hormone assists in pregnancy and implantation of the fetus in the uterus. However, most doctors are of the opinion that a woman should wait until she experiences two or three menstrual cycles before trying to conceive again.

answered by M W

Abortion can sometimes become a psychological or physiological necessity and if conducted legally and professionally, there should be no harmful consequences arising from it. The fertility of the woman is also not compromised. There is research that has shown a slight rise in the chances of a miscarriage or premature delivery in women who have previously undergone an abortion. This results from a condition known as cervical incompetence in which the cervix is not able to close properly during the pregnancy. The risk of this condition increases with the number of abortions a woman undergoes. However if the abortion procedure has been performed properly and safely, there should be no effect on the future fertility of a woman. There are people who claim that abortions result in birth defects, ectopic pregnancies and still births, but there is no strong medical evidence to support these claims.

The risk of infertility only arises when there is infection following the abortion procedure. Infection is a risk after any medical procedure as an invasive procedure is likely to expose the delicate inner organs of the body. The infection may affect the reproductive organs and if left untreated or if not treated properly, could have an adverse effect on the woman's fertility. If the fallopian tube becomes infected, it could become blocked and scarring can also occur. As such the ovum that is released from the ovaries will be unable to move towards the uterus. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that is known to affect fertility in women. If the abortion procedure is carried out while the woman is affected by Chlamydia, the risk of infection developing after the abortion is high, thereby raising the possibility of infertility. The right way to combat this is to screen for the Chlamydia before undergoing an abortion and if the results are positive, then the appropriate treatment must be administered.

Following the abortion, the woman must also go for regular routine examinations to detect any consequences or complications that may have resulted due to the abortion. Proper care after an abortion is also important. One must drink plenty of fluids and allow the body to rest. The dietary habits must be healthy and the prescribed medication must be taken properly until the full course is over. One must also not perform exercise or go swimming for a couple of weeks following the procedure. If the abortion was undergone due to health concerns for the woman or due to a poor prenatal diagnosis, then the woman must consult the doctor regarding future pregnancies.

answered by G M