Having an abortion does not increase the risk of problems in future pregnancies. Multiple studies show that abortion has little to no impact on a woman's ability to conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy to term in the future.
Impact on Future Fertility and Pregnancy
Research consistently demonstrates that abortion does not negatively affect future pregnancies. This means that there is no increased risk of:
- Birth defects
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Infant death
Furthermore, abortion does not significantly increase the risk of secondary infertility or ectopic pregnancy. Many women successfully conceive and have healthy pregnancies after having an abortion. Planned Parenthood and the Mayo Clinic both support this conclusion. The NHS also states that abortion will not affect your chances of becoming pregnant and having normal pregnancies in the future. (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abortion/risks/). This is further supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), who state that medication abortion does not have an adverse effect on future fertility or future pregnancy outcomes. (https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/10/medication-abortion-up-to-70-days-of-gestation)
A study published in PubMed also found no evidence of an association between induced abortion and secondary infertility or ectopic pregnancy. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2225607/)
While some studies mention a slightly increased risk of certain complications in some instances, the overall consensus among reputable medical organizations is that abortion does not pose a significant risk to future pregnancies. Comprehensive women's health centers, like those in Colorado, also confirm this conclusion. (https://cwhccolorado.com/for-patients/abortions-and-future-pregnancy/)
