How Will Abortion Affect Me Physically?
Abortion may impact individuals physically, with effects that vary depending on the method and personal health factors. The two primary types of abortion—medical and surgical—each have distinct processes and potential risks.
You don’t have to navigate this information alone. Crossroads provides no-cost pregnancy services and resources to help you make informed choices. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion involves taking drugs to end a pregnancy and is FDA-approved for use up to the first ten weeks of gestation. This process includes two drugs: mifepristone, which blocks progesterone, and misoprostol, which triggers uterine contractions to expel the pregnancy.
Physical side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. Bleeding and cramping also occur from taking the drugs. It’s essential to know that medical abortion also carries risks, such as:
- Incomplete abortion, which may require surgical intervention
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive symptoms, like an upset stomach
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is a procedure that removes pregnancy tissue from the uterus through a combination of drugs, suction, or medical instruments.
Afterward, a woman typically spends a few hours in recovery to monitor for excessive bleeding or complications and may experience cramping, light spotting, or mild bleeding for a few days.
Risks of surgical abortion can include:
- Uterine perforation
- Cervical damage
- Uterine scarring, which may lead to painful or irregular periods, future miscarriages, or infertility
- Infection
Get Fully Informed
Knowing the physical effects and potential risks of abortion is vital in making an informed decision. If you have questions or need support, reach out to Crossroads.
Our caring team is here to support you in understanding all your options, including abortion. All appointments are no-cost and confidential. Schedule yours today to get the answers you need.
Crossroads does not provide or refer for abortions.
*All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.