Approximately twenty-two percent of pregnancies annually end in an induced abortion, and each year over one million women have abortions. The Guttmacher Institute maintains data on elective abortions performed within the United States, and reports that two percent of women aged 15 to 44 have an abortion annually. Numerous side effects can occur after an abortion though most prove mild, and less than 0.3% of abortion patients require hospitalization for side effects. In rare cases, future disease may occur resulting from an elective abortion.
Infertility
Surgical abortion can occur either by removing the fetus and tissue from the uterus with a vacuum, syringe or spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge known as a curette. The American Pregnancy Association indicates that in rare cases this procedure may puncture the uterus or cause scarring on the inside of the uterus. This damage could result in a woman becoming unable to conceive or carry a future pregnancy to term. Surgery may remedy this in some cases though not all.
Post-Abortion Syndrome
Post Abortion Syndrome or PAS has similarities to post traumatic stress disorder experienced by soldiers after combat. PAS can result from feelings of sadness and grief resulting from an abortion, however it is not a recognized psychological condition, and is often a term used solely by anti-choice supporters. The National Abortion Federation explains that a woman commonly feels many emotions after an abortion, including sadness and loss, even though she feels confident in her choice and relieved about the outcome. These feelings prove normal and may not indicate a psychological disorder or impending mental illness resulting from having an abortion.
Sepsis
In rare cases sepsis may develop after an abortion, says the American Pregnancy Association. This can occur particularly after an illegal abortion in which unsafe procedures were used. Sepsis occurs when bacteria is present in the bloodstream and overwhelms the body leading to inflammation and blood clotting throughout. In severe cases, septic shock occurs and the cardiovascular system begins to fail, depriving vital organs of an adequate oxygenated blood supply and leading to death in 50 percent of patients.
Abortion and Breast Cancer
During the early 1980's numerous studies alluded to a link between abortion and breast cancer. According to the National Abortion Federation, the methodology of the studies proved critically flawed, and the results proved inconclusive at best. The media attention to the suspected link has caused confusion and fear among women considering an abortion and this myth has been used by anti-choice groups to persuade women to avoid abortion. The National Cancer Institute, objectively evaluated research studies on the subject and found that studies have clearly established that "induced abortion is not associated with an increase in breast cancer risk."
