If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, it’s natural to wonder how abortion might affect your body. You may have heard different opinions or read conflicting information online. Understanding the physical side effects and potential risks of abortion can help you make a thoughtful, informed decision.
At Pathways Clinic, we provide services free of charge so you can ask questions, review accurate medical information, and explore all your options in a respectful environment. If you’re considering abortion, you deserve to understand how it may impact your physical health.
Schedule an appointment today to speak with us and learn more.
Why It’s Important to Understand the Differences
There are two primary types of abortion: medical abortion, often called the abortion pill, and surgical abortion. These methods work differently and carry different side effects and risks.
Medical abortion is typically used in early pregnancy, while surgical abortion may be performed later. The stage of pregnancy and your individual health history can influence what you experience physically.
Learning how each method works can help you better prepare and protect your health.
What Happens During a Medical Abortion
A medical abortion involves two drugs. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary for the pregnancy’s continued growth and development. The second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy and related tissue.
Cramping and bleeding will be part of the process. For some women, the pain can be severe and not what they anticipated. Other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and headaches.
There are also potential risks to consider. Heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, and incomplete abortion can occur. An incomplete abortion means some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, which may require a follow-up surgical procedure to prevent complications.
Medical abortion is FDA-approved only through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Taking abortion drugs beyond that time frame can increase the likelihood of complications. As you review your options, it’s important to keep this in mind.
What to Expect With Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinical setting using suction and medical instruments to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. After the procedure, cramping and bleeding are expected and may last for a number of days, depending on their severity.
Though serious complications are uncommon, they can occur. Possible surgical abortion-associated risks include uterine perforation, damage to the cervix, infection, heavy bleeding, or scar tissue forming inside the uterus. In rare cases, scar tissue can affect future fertility; this condition is called Asherman’s syndrome.
Understanding these possibilities does not mean complications will occur, but it allows you to weigh the physical considerations carefully.
You Deserve Complete Information
Abortion is one option, but it is not the only one. Parenting and adoption are also paths you may want to explore. Each choice comes with its own physical, emotional, and practical considerations.
At Pathways Clinic, we provide pregnancy confirmation and options education free of charge. Our goal is to ensure you have medically accurate information so you can move forward confidently.
We’re Here to Support You
You do not have to navigate this decision alone. If you have questions about how abortion could affect you physically, schedule an appointment at Pathways Clinic. Our services are provided free of charge, and we are here to offer compassionate support as you consider your next steps.
Pathways Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.