Abortions and Future Fertility: What’s The Connection?

Do Abortions affect future fertility?

Loss can be hard to go through.

Especially when it’s something you waited and prepared for. Or maybe it was a voluntary decision that you took, based on reasons within or beyond your control.

The first step of course, is to take your time and grieve through it, or process it. You can take your time, heal and recover from what you’ve been through.

But one question that may arise during recovery is: Will this abortion affect my future pregnancy?

While myths and misconceptions about abortion and fertility persist, reality is quite different.

This article explores the factors that influence fertility after abortion, helping you make informed decisions about your reproductive health.

Understanding Abortion Procedures

Abortion refers to the termination of a pregnancy before a foetus can survive outside the womb. There are two main types of abortion procedures:

1. Medical abortion: This method involves taking medication to induce a miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy (typically within the first 10 weeks). The medication works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is essential for sustaining a pregnancy. Medical abortions are non-surgical and do not involve any instruments entering the uterus.

2. Surgical abortion: This procedure, also known as aspiration or dilation and curettage (D&C), involves removing the pregnancy tissue from the uterus using surgical instruments. Surgical abortions are typically performed in a clinic or hospital setting under local or general anaesthesia.

The type of abortion procedure recommended will depend on factors like the stage of pregnancy, your health, and medical history.

Abortion and fertility: What’s the connection?

The vast majority of women who have abortions do not experience long-term fertility problems. Here's a breakdown of the key factors to consider:

1. Type of Abortion: Medical abortions generally carry a lower risk of complications compared to surgical procedures. However, both methods are considered safe when performed by a qualified healthcare provider.

2. Complications: While uncommon, potential complications following an abortion, such as infection or uterine scarring (Asherman's syndrome), can affect future fertility. However, prompt medical attention and proper treatment can usually prevent long-term consequences.

3. Individual Health Factors: Age, pre-existing medical conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and overall reproductive health all play a significant role in fertility, independent of past abortions.

Conception after abortion: What you need to know

If you're considering abortion or have concerns about the impact of a past abortion on your fertility, here are some essential steps to take:

1. Consult a healthcare provider: Schedule a consultation with a healthcare professional experienced in reproductive health. They can review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and address any questions or concerns you may have.

2. Open communication: Be transparent with your healthcare provider about your past abortions. This information is crucial for them to provide personalised care and guidance.

3. Fertility evaluation: If you're actively trying to conceive and facing challenges, consider a fertility evaluation. This may involve hormone testing, ovarian reserve testing, and imaging studies to assess your fertility potential.

4. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Prioritise healthy habits like a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep. These contribute to overall well-being and can positively influence fertility.

5. Emotional well-being: Coping with the emotional aspects of abortion is important. Consider talking to a therapist or counsellor to process your feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

6. Contraception and family planning: If you're not ready to conceive or wish to postpone pregnancy, discuss contraception options with your healthcare provider. Consistent and effective contraception use helps prevent unintended pregnancies and gives you control over your reproductive choices.

How Arva can help in your Fertility Journey

Navigating reproductive health can be challenging, especially after an abortion.

Grief and loss can make it all the harder to think about going through the entire process again.

That’s why we believe in having the right support and personalised resources when you do plan to start your journey.

With Arva, you can:

• Take an at-home fertility test: With Arva’s convenient at-home Hormonal Fertility Test, you get an overview of your AMH and hormonal health to understand your ovarian reserve better. This can be one piece of the puzzle to understanding your reproductive health. Post this, a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential for a definitive assessment.

• Connect with fertility specialists: Arva has partnered with a network of experienced fertility specialists. If you require further evaluation or treatment for fertility challenges, we can help you connect with the right healthcare providers to support your family-building goals.

We at Arva aim to be a supportive platform that can help you streamline your journey and take a proactive approach to your fertility and well-being.

We’re here with you every step of the way♥️