
Getting an abortion is not only about ending a pregnancy. You may have several doubts in your mind associated with medical abortion complications which need to be cleared initially. You may want clear answers about the side effects, medication procedure outcomes, etc. One such aspect is the possibility of bearing children in the future i.e. fertility. While taking pills to terminate a pregnancy is safe, a 5-7 percent risk always remains for complications, including impact on future fertility. Let us understand more about it in the pointers below.
Medical Abortion Effectiveness and Fertility
Abortion pills usually do not interfere with the prospect of future fertility and pregnancy. The process involves the intake of two types of medicines to end a pregnancy within its first 12 weeks. The pills restrict progesterone hormone and cause uterine contractions to expel the conception products successfully through heavy vaginal bleeding. The contractions also lead to severe cramping and temporary side effects are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, chills, dizziness, tiredness, etc.
It can take a few days for the pregnancy to terminate with medicines. A follow-up after a couple of weeks of taking the abortion pills is necessary. The diagnosis will include an ultrasound scan of the whole abdomen to ensure no pregnancy tissues are left in the uterus. In case of an incomplete abortion, a surgical procedure is required to remove the remaining pregnancy from the womb.
· If the pill is taken at 8 weeks or less, the success rate of abortion is 94 to 98 percent, while it reduces to 94 to 96 percent when performed at 8 to 9 weeks.
· If you opt for medical abortion at 9 to 10 weeks, the effectiveness of the process is 91 to 93 percent. In contrast, the possibility of an assured termination dwindles to 87%, if chosen at 10 to 11 weeks.
· Additional pill dosage is sometimes administered if the pregnancy termination occurs at 9 to 11 weeks to increase the possibility of a complete abortion.
When the pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, there is a risk of infection and scarring. If not addressed immediately through surgery, the risk of these complications increases. Moreover, if the surgical process is not done properly, the probability of uterine scarring further increases. Together, scarring and perforation can hamper fertility. It may either temporarily make you unable to conceive until you heal, or permanently disable the chances of a future pregnancy.
Low Birth Weight, Prematurity, and Miscarriage
Multiple abortions may increase the risk of low birth weight and premature childbirth for future pregnancies. Also, there is a higher mortality rate possible and health issues throughout the life of the infant. Failed abortions also indicate a risk of cervical incompetence or insufficiency wherein the cervix does not function as it should to keep the pregnancy in the uterus. These risks are more prominent in surgical abortions than medical ones. However, infections and sepsis are more common, yet rate in medication methods of pregnancy termination.
Fertility and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is a female reproductive system infection, which is also one of the sexually transmitted diseases. However, PID can occur because of an incomplete medical abortion as well, affecting fertility. The lasting effect can lead to permanent infertility if treatment is not done on time. As PID may not show signs and symptoms, the risk of it being left untreated is high. The condition leaves scars on the cervix and uterus. The fallopian tubes may narrow down and scar because of the infection. Thus, it may be difficult for the eggs to travel from the ovary to the uterus.
Asherman Syndrome and Fertility
If the cervix or uterus develops scars, it is known as the Asherman Syndrome. The scar tissue may disallow the fertilized egg to implant on the uterine lining. The uterine wall tissues may become sticky and stick to each other, which reduces the uterus’s size. While Asherman Syndrome is more common as a complication of surgical abortion, it may happen to those with incomplete medical abortion too as they have to undergo an in-clinic procedure to expel the remaining pregnancy. Symptoms of the syndrome are severe pain or cramping, light or no periods, and frequent miscarriages.
Conclusion: Resolving the Issue of Infertility
Now that you understand that the risk of medical abortion complications may have a direct impact on fertility, you must be careful when using the pills. To avoid serious infections and side effects, the best foot forward is to follow the recommended pill dosage and take the medicines only if in early pregnancy. Similarly, taking care of your health is the foremost priority. Maintain hygiene so that the risk of infection is reduced. Stay hydrated, do not physically strain yourself, stick to a healthy and nutritious diet, and avoid douching or inserting anything in the vagina while you are bleeding.
Wear large maxi pads for the bleeding. Do not use tampons or menstrual cups. Also, do not involve in penetrative vaginal intercourse at least for 3 to 4 weeks after the medical abortion. Last but not least, do not forget the follow-up visit after 14 days for an ultrasound and pregnancy check-up to understand the outcome of the abortion. If further steps are necessary to remove the pregnancy, do not delay but get treated immediately. This will save you from fertility and other reproductive health issues.