No clinical procedure is entirely free from risk, but abortion poses few risks to a woman's physical health, particularly when carried out during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
An abortion does not usually affect a woman's chances of becoming pregnant and having normal pregnancies in future.
Risks at the time of an abortion
The risk of problems occuring during an abortion is low. However, there are more likely to be problems if an abortion is carried out later in a pregnancy. The low risks associated with abortions are:
- haemorrhage (excessive bleeding) – occurs in about 1 in every 1,000 abortions
- damage to the cervix – occurs in no more than 10 in every 1,000 abortions
- damage to the womb – occurs in up to 4 in every 1,000 abortions during surgical abortion, and less than 1 in 1,000 medical abortions carried out at 12-24 weeks
Risks after an abortion
After an abortion, the main risk is infection in the womb, usually caused by a failure to completely remove all of the foetus and associated tissue.
If you have an infection after an abortion, you may bleed heavily from your vagina and have some period-like pain. Antibiotics are usually used to treat the infection.
If an infection is not treated, it could result in a more severe infection of your reproductive organs, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause infertility or ectopic pregnancy. However, the risk of an infection can be reduced by taking antibiotics at the time of the abortion.
Repeated abortions can cause damage to the entrance of the womb (cervix), and increase the risk of late miscarriages.
After an abortion, you may have some period-type pains, and some vaginal bleeding, which should gradually lessen after a few days. Most women can return to their usual activities within a day or so. However, seek medical attention if you have severe pain or if bleeding has not stopped after 14 days.
Women vary greatly in their emotional response to having an abortion. Research suggests that having an abortion does not lead to long-term emotional or psychological problems. However, some women can feel sad or guilty after an abortion, and post-abortion counselling services are widely available.
After having an abortion, you may be advised not to have sexual intercourse for up to two weeks. Seek advice from your GP, a family planning clinic or a pregnancy advisory service if you have physical or emotional problems after an abortion.
