What Happens to Your Body After an Abortion?
Both medical abortion (also known as the “abortion pill”) and surgical abortion are associated with side effects and risks that can adversely affect your body. After either type of abortion, your body will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. However, you might also experience other side effects and risks, depending on the type of abortion and your unique situation.
Read on to learn more about how abortion might affect your body and how to protect your health before seeking an abortion. Are you looking to talk to someone in person about your pregnancy options? Contact Assure Women’s Center today to be connected to our caring team—we’re here to support you with free resources and space to ask questions.
Side Effects and Risks of Abortion
The side effects and risks associated with abortion depend on what type of abortion you receive.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion involves taking two powerful drugs that work together to terminate a pregnancy and then force it from the uterus through the vagina.
These drugs are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is under ten weeks gestation. If your pregnancy is further along, you’re at a greater risk for adverse complications.
The abortion pill drugs may affect your body and cause you to experience:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
While risks associated with medical abortion are less common, they’re also more severe. The risks of medical abortion include:
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Along with these potentially harmful consequences of abortion on your body, if the abortion drugs fail, you might also experience an ongoing pregnancy or an incomplete abortion (when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus).
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is often done later in pregnancy, and it involves dilating the cervix so that surgical instruments can enter the uterus to scrape and suction out the pregnancy.
The risks associated with this type of abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus (which is when the surgical instrument pokes a hole in your uterus)
- Cervical damage
- Uterine scarring
- Infection
How Can I Protect My Health?
The most crucial step before seeking an abortion is to receive an ultrasound. This simple scan will give you the critical information you need to stay safe.
Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment. Facing an unplanned pregnancy can feel scary, but you’re not alone. We’re here for you.
