Elective Abortion: Impact on Future Pregnancies and Fertility
Getting an elective abortion involves making a personal choice to end a pregnancy. Most often, elective abortions don't cause fertility issues or problems with future pregnancies. However, risks to future pregnancies may depend on the type of elective abortion you have.
Types of Elective Abortion and Their Potential Impact
There are two main types of elective abortion:
- Medical abortion. This involves taking medicine to end a pregnancy. It can be done at home as long as you can reach a healthcare professional by phone or online. A medical abortion doesn't seem to raise the risk of future pregnancy complications.
- Surgical abortion. This also is called a procedural abortion. Healthcare professionals remove pregnancy tissue from the uterus through the vagina. Most often, this is done using a suction device or a tool called a curette. You might hear the process called dilation and curettage.
Surgical Abortion and Future Pregnancy Risks
Many studies have shown that surgical abortion has little impact on future pregnancies. Some studies have found that it may slightly raise the risk of future premature birth, miscarriage or low birth weight. But other research did not find this increase in risk.
Asherman Syndrome
Rarely, bands of scar tissue form in the uterus after dilation and curettage. This condition is called Asherman syndrome. The risk of this syndrome is higher after getting dilation and curettage more than once. Asherman syndrome is linked with trouble becoming pregnant in the future. But it often can be treated with surgery.
If you've had an elective abortion and you're concerned about becoming pregnant in the future, talk with your healthcare professional. Ask about the risks and the steps you can take to raise your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Overview of Abortion Types and Associated Risks
| Type of Abortion | Procedure | Impact on Future Pregnancies | Potential Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Abortion | Taking medicine to end a pregnancy | Doesn't seem to raise the risk of future pregnancy complications | None specified in provided text |
| Surgical Abortion (Dilation and Curettage) | Removal of pregnancy tissue from the uterus through the vagina | Little impact on future pregnancies; some studies suggest a slight increase in risk for premature birth, miscarriage, or low birth weight | Asherman syndrome (scar tissue in uterus), especially with multiple procedures |