Do Abortions Have Side Effects

With the passage of time and revolutionary improvements in the methods of terminating a pregnancy, abortion has become a much safer option than it was decades ago. However, abortion is a procedure going against the nature of things. It must therefore be opted for with careful thought to the well-being of the woman. There is a high possibility of side effects that can be either treatable or quite dangerous.

This is one procedure that has significant psychological side effects. Coupled with the adverse physical effects, abortion needs a lot of post-operative care. While the abortion pill RU483 is supposed to be very effective in terminating a pregnancy, without causing any serious harm to the patient, this too has a few side effects. The occurrence of side effects is

• One in a hundred if the abortion is conducted early
• One in fifty cases where abortion is conducted later

The most common side effects of an abortion are

• Mental trauma with a drop in self-esteem and self-confidence
• After an abortion, a woman may experience feelings of self-hatred
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Uterus perforation
• Scarred uterine walls
• Cervical damage
• Possibility of damage to bowel and bladder
• Incomplete removal of pregnancy
• Nausea. vomiting and diarrhea
• Bleeding and hemorrhage (heavy bleeding) [Heavy bleeding is a side effect of consuming RU483. One among every hundred who consume the abortion pill require surgery to treat the problem]
• Infection

Besides these possible side effects, there are also long-term side effects to consider when you opt for an abortion. They are…

• 50% higher risk of breast cancer if the first pregnancy is aborted
• Higher risk of premature deliveries and abortions in desired pregnancies
• Premature babies are at a higher risk for ophthalmic complications, respiratory ailments, brain-related disorders, and cerebral palsy
• Higher risk of eating disorders
• Possibility of child abuse by the mother, triggered by her mental trauma
• Tendency to resort to alcohol and substance abuse to ward of the guilt
• Higher possibility of interpersonal problems and communication breakdown 

Post Abortion Syndrome

Some women experience certain psychological and psychosomatic symptoms that are collectively known as the Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS). They can be enumerated as

• Severe grieving that goes on for months, accompanied by guilt and anxiety
• Obsessive recall of the abortion
• Lack of motivation, interest, and concentration for any task
• Shrinking away from company and preference for solitude
• Possibility of suicidal tendencies
• Unreasonable anger episodes due to reduced capacity to control anger
• Panic attacks and loneliness leading to depression
• Severe eating and sleeping disorders
• Sexual indifference

Though Planned Parenthood Centers have made abortion a safe procedure and terminating pregnancies have been accomplished with minimal negative side effects, these side effects do exist. It is more important to make responsible decisions whether to have or not have children, in order to avoid unnecessary physical and mental trauma for the woman that also has a far-reaching negative impact on her physical and psychological well-being.

In today’s age of revolutionary medical advancement, abortions have been made much safer. Side effects have been successfully minimized. However, some side effects continue to exist and are cause for worry. While most problems arising from taking the abortion pill are treatable, both surgery and oral medication for abortion are not free from risks. Hemorrhage is a very common side effect for those who take the abortion pill while there may be an adverse effect of abortion on the bowel, bladder, and eyes. Psychological side effects are depression, suicidal tendencies, lack of concentration, aggression, preference for solitude, and so on.