If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering abortion, it’s essential to learn all you can about how it may affect you physically and mentally. 

Read on to learn more about the physical and mental health risks of abortion. Or, if you want to talk to someone in person about your pregnancy options, contact Bella Women’s Center today to connect with one of our caring staff members. 

Physical Risks of Abortion 

There are two main types of abortion—medical and surgical—and each type comes with unique risks. 

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion, also known as the “abortion pill,” involves a combination of two powerful drugs that work together to terminate a pregnancy and force it from the uterus. 

After taking the abortion drugs, you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. However, you might also experience the following risks: 

• Incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

Your likelihood of experiencing one of these risks is more significant if your pregnancy is further than 10 weeks gestation. 

Surgical Abortion

Abortion providers perform surgical abortions in a clinic, and it involves dilating your cervix so that medical instruments can enter your uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy.

Physical risks of surgical abortion include:

• Uterine or cervical damage or scarring
• Infection
• Perforation of the uterus

Mental Health Risks

Abortion also comes with risks to your mental health. 

A study found that 81% of women who had an abortion were at an increased risk of mental health problems, including but not limited to substance abuse, depression, and anxiety.

If you feel at all pressured into getting an abortion, your risk for adverse mental health outcomes is greater. Another study by the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons found that almost 75% of women who had an abortion felt at least subtly pressured into making the decision, and many suffered psychological effects afterward, including but not limited to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Shame
• Regret
• Self-hatred
• Drug or alcohol addiction

You’re Not Alone

Facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering your options can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone in this. At Bella Women’s Center, we’re here for you with free pregnancy resources, information, and services that can help you feel supported to make an informed decision. Contact us today to schedule your confidential appointment.