Sometimes the timing or circumstances just aren’t right for a pregnancy or having a child. Getting an abortion is a difficult decision to make, and it can take a toll on your mental, emotional and physical health. But what if the timing is right for you later on in life?
Some people believe that having an abortion will have a negative impact on your fertility, making it difficult for you to conceive in the future. The good news is that abortion doesn’t cause infertility. But how can it affect your body’s ability to have a child in the future? That’s what we’re here to discuss.
Read on to learn the basics of abortion as well as how it affects fertility.
What is an abortion?
An abortion means that a pregnancy is terminated by removing the fetus or embryo. There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. A medical abortion involves being prescribed medication to take at home that will terminate the pregnancy. A surgical abortion is a medical procedure that removes the fetus or embryo as well as the pregnancy tissue and the placenta from the uterus.
More than 70 million induced abortions take place around the world every year. About 6 out of 10 of people who have an unintended pregnancy have an induced abortion.
The risks of abortion are relatively low, though there’s an increased possibility of complications the further the abortion is done into a pregnancy.
Potential complications of abortion include:
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Damage to surrounding organs (bladder, uterus).
A medical abortion also has a risk of tissue remaining inside the uterus.
How abortion affects fertility
Despite what some may believe, abortion does not lead to infertility. The chance of having issues with future pregnancies or fertility that stem from abortion is very small. There has been some research that shows abortion may slightly increase the risk of having an early birth in the future.
While abortion doesn’t directly cause infertility, it’s possible that it can result in a womb infection called pelvic inflammatory disease.
Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an infection of one or more female reproductive organs, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. If it goes untreated, PID can cause scar tissue and abscesses in the reproductive tract, which interfere with an egg’s fertilization. Infertility affects 1 in 10 females with PID.
Potential causes of infertility
Infertility is common around the globe, affecting about 186 million people and 48 million couples worldwide. It can stem from either partner or a combination of factors between the two, as it affects males and females equally.
Infertility is diagnosable when you’re unable to conceive after having unprotected sex for more than one year. A female over the age of 35 can be diagnosed after six months of unprotected sex that doesn’t lead to conception.
Even though abortion doesn’t result in infertility, there are still a few other causes that can. If you’re struggling with infertility, there are a variety of potential reasons that could explain it.
One of the most common causes of infertility in females is ovulation disorders. There are multiple hormonal disorders that can interfere with the ovaries releasing eggs. A common medical issue that can lead to infertility includes polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) as well as thyroid issues, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Endometriosis is another potential cause of infertility in females, which occurs when there is uterine lining growing in the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The tissue that grows inside of your uterus is called the endometrium, and this condition causes endometrium-like tissue to grow outside of the uterus. The tissue, referred to as endometrial implants, can interfere with egg fertilization.
When it comes to male infertility, it’s usually caused by an issue with the sperm. If the sperm isn’t properly functioning or being produced correctly, it can make it difficult to conceive. The quality of sperm can be affected by conditions like undescended testicles, genetic defects or diabetes.
It’s important to remember that 30% of couples are diagnosed with unexplained infertility.
Fertility Cloud can help with infertility that stems from any cause
Even though it’s comforting to learn that having an abortion doesn’t cause infertility, you may still be searching for answers about the reason you’ve been having trouble conceiving. We’re here to not only help you determine the likely cause of your infertility, but also help you find the treatments necessary to help increase your chance of conception.
If you’re ready to treat infertility, contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.