Protecting your health should always be the priority whether you’re taking a new medication or drug, preparing for surgery, or learning about an illness.
Like any medical procedure, abortion has certain risks that you should know. You can’t make an informed decision without having the facts in hand.
Cherish Women’s Resource Centre is here for you. Schedule a no-cost appointment today.
Health Risks of Abortion
Knowing the health risks associated with abortion helps you to consider which pregnancy option is right for you. We’re committed to providing the information you need.
There are two abortion methods, and each ends a pregnancy differently. They come with their own risks, so learning how each method could impact your health is essential.
Medical Abortion
Also known as the “abortion pill,” medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone that helps the pregnancy grow and develop. Without progesterone, the uterine lining thins, and the pregnancy detaches and ends.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes uterine contractions. These contractions expel the pregnancy and related tissues from the body.
Risks of Taking Abortion Drugs
Medical abortion always causes abdominal cramping or vaginal bleeding. These side effects could be mild, moderate, or severe. Women can also experience headaches, diarrhea, fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting.
The risks of medical abortion can vary, and you should know them before making a decision.
In Canada, abortion drugs are approved through 9 weeks gestation. If you take abortion drugs after the approved gestational age, you could experience severe side effects or risks.
Other risks of this method include:
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
- Severe skin rashes
- Infection
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- Incomplete abortion (which may require surgical treatment)
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs don’t work)
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion uses drugs, surgical tools, and/or suctioning to end a pregnancy. Like medical abortion, it will also cause abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding.
The risks of surgical abortion can be severe, so it’s crucial to be aware of the following:
- Infection
- Cervical damage
- Perforation of the uterus (when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus)
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
Get the Information You Need
Cherish Women’s Resource Centre knows your time is valuable. We’ll help you make a plan for your pregnancy that is right for you, which will include all the information you need about the potential risks and side effects of abortion so you can move forward with your safety in mind.
