If you are considering moving forward with an abortion procedure, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks involved. One potential risk of an abortion procedure is damage to the womb. If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain, fever, and heavy bleeding, you may be experiencing complications after abortion, which could lead to womb damage in the long-run.
Seek immediate medical help if you are experiencing any slight symptoms after abortion. Your health deserves protection.
Signs of Womb Damage After Abortion
1. Perforation of the Uterus
Perforation of the uterine wall is one of the risks of surgical abortion. It happens when a surgical tool pokes a hole in the uterus. It can typically heal independently, but a doctor may recommend another surgery to repair it if it damages another organ or a blood vessel.
2. Scar Tissue on the Uterine Wall
Another womb damage risk is scar tissue on the uterine wall from surgical abortion. It’s formally known as Asherman’s Syndrome and may lead to fertility issues and irregular or painful periods.
3. Damage to the Cervix
Another risk of a surgical abortion is damage to the cervix (lower part of the uterus). If this happens, a medical provider can apply pressure to stop the bleeding and close the wound with stitches.
4. Infection
Both medical and surgical abortion come with the risks of infection, caused typically by microorganisms like bacteria.
Having an existing STI or an incomplete abortion (when the pregnancy tissue isn’t fully expelled from the uterus) can also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if left untreated. Infection is dangerous if not addressed promptly.
Signs of Complications After Abortion
After an abortion procedure, it’s important to be aware of any signs and symptoms to safeguard your health in the long-term. If anything seems abnormal, contact your medical provider.
Signs and symptoms to look out for and follow up with your medical provider include the following:
- Fever, either high or lasting longer than 24 hours
- Severe abdominal, pelvic, or back pain
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lasting dizziness or lightheadedness
- Difficulty breathing
If you have further questions about things you’re experiencing after abortion, talk to your medical provider right away to best protect your health.
If you are considering abortion and the risks, talk with our caring and non-judgemental team at A Woman’s Pregnancy Center to learn more about our free and confidential pregnancy services.
While we do not perform or refer for abortions, we offer a free Pre-Abortion Assessment in which you can receive a lab-quality pregnancy test, limited ultrasound (if your test is positive), and time to process your options with our knowledgeable peer counselors. We would love to serve you.