How Will Abortion Affect Me Physically?

Are you considering an abortion and curious how it might impact your physical health?

Every woman’s body responds differently to abortion, so it’s difficult to predict how each person will be affected.

While some women experience minor side effects, others can have severe complications. 

Before choosing to have an abortion, understanding all of the possible outcomes is essential to make the best decision for your health. 

Medical Abortion vs. Surgical Abortion

Medical abortion, commonly referred to as the abortion pill, uses a series of powerful drugs—mifepristone and misoprostol. 

Mifepristone blocks the progesterone hormone and causes the lining of the uterus to thin. Then, misoprostol creates uterine contractions, which leads to the expulsion of the pregnancy through the vagina. 

During a surgical abortion, the medical provider removes the pregnancy by dilating the cervix and scraping or suctioning the tissue from the uterus.

Typically, pregnancies before 10 weeks of age are terminated by medical abortion, while a surgical abortion is used to terminate a pregnancy after 10 weeks.

Physical Effects of Abortion

The physical impacts of medical abortion and surgical abortion vary slightly, but both have the potential to cause temporary and long-lasting health effects. 

The physical risks of medical abortion include:

• Incomplete abortion, which may require a follow-up surgical abortion
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection 
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

The physical risks of surgical abortion include:

• Perforation of the uterus
• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall, which could lead to future infertility
• Infection

If you experience any of the following complications, seek immediate medical attention.

• 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
• Pain that gets worse instead of better
• Lasting dizziness or lightheadedness
• Cramps lasting more than 48 hours (after surgical abortion)

Get the Help You Need

Alpha Pregnancy Care Center can provide a proper medical evaluation and ultrasound scan to help you better understand your pregnancy and options.

The medical team can answer your questions and explain the available options, empowering you to make the best decision. For the sake of your future health, contact us today for a free and confidential appointment.