Abortion Myth Busting: Separating Fact From Fiction
In spite of being one of the most common medical procedures performed worldwide, abortion is something that remains shrouded in misinformation and stigma. In the UK alone, thousands of women seek abortion care every year, but only after suffering through a storm of confusing anecdotes and conflicting claims.
The first thing to know is that when you go through the proper medical channels, abortion is a safe and straightforward procedure. Most of the scary stories and rumours out there just add extra stress and make things harder than they need to be. So, whether you’re thinking about abortion for yourself, supporting someone else, or just want to know the facts of the matter, let’s clear up some of the most common myths surrounding this process together.
Abortion is a dangerous and high-risk procedure
There is no myth more damaging to abortion than the claim that it is inherently dangerous. The reality couldn’t be farther from it. When abortion is done in either a regulated setting, with trained professionals, or both, it is actually one of the safest medical procedures someone can go through. In fact, it is even safer than carrying a pregnancy to term and giving birth. In a somewhat funny comparison, you’re more likely to experience complications from having your wisdom teeth removed than from having an abortion.
That’s not to say there are no complications, of course. Only that they are rare, as many of the more serious abortion-related complications, such as infection, excessive bleeding, or damage to the uterus, occur in less than 1% of cases. Even when they do happen, it is very easy to treat them effectively. All that is to say, the safety of abortion is something doctors have studied for decades at this point, and much of the evidence shows that if you get it from proper medical channels, it will pose minimal risk to your health.
Taking the abortion pills at home is not safe
Ever since telemedicine abortion services became a thing after COVID, a lot of people have wondered just how safe it is to take the pill at home instead of a clinic. While these concerns are understandable, they are also somewhat unfounded. This is simply from the fact that medical abortion is approved for home use precisely because it’s safe when properly supervised.
It’s just a simple process that covers all possible grounds. When you first order abortion pill by post from a licensed medical service provider, you also get to have a consultation with a qualified professional. They not only ensure that the treatment is appropriate for your situation but also provide clear instructions on what to expect and stay with you throughout the process.
Similar to how it is getting these pills in a clinic, yes, you will experience a bit of cramping and bleeding, but it is usually expected and just how the medication works. You’ll also be given advice on how to best manage the pain with medications like ibuprofen, and again, you’ll always have access to a helpline if you’re concerned about anything during the process.
Ordering abortion pills online is illegal or unsafe
It is often difficult to bust this one, but that’s mainly because the truth depends completely on where you get your abortion pills from. To put it simply, if you order abortion pills from regulated and certified telemedicine pathways, you’re in the green and completely safe. These services are approved by government bodies and are legally required to give you only the best of the best in terms of medications. Not only that, but these services also employ only qualified doctors and provide proper medical oversight throughout the process. When you get the pills from such places, the whole thing will almost always play out the same way it does in a clinic.
That said, it’s an entirely different case if you get the pills from unverified or international websites. Not only are these places ill-regulated, but they may also sell you counterfeit medicine, incorrect dosages or drugs that just aren’t what they claim to be. Even if you do receive medical oversight during the process, you may never know if the person helping is a qualified doctor, capable of supporting you if something goes wrong.
Abortion causes long-term mental health problems
Another myth that remains equally as harmful and persistent as the first one is that getting an abortion is a one-way ticket to depression, anxiety, or psychological trauma. Obviously enough, the decision to seek an abortion is an emotionally heavy one, but the reality is also far more nuanced than people think.
Surprisingly, most studies on the matter actually show that the most significant predictor of mental health after abortion is not the abortion itself, but all the circumstances surrounding it. Not only that, but pre-existing mental health conditions, current social support, and experience with pressure and judgment are far more important players here. Even more importantly, most studies show that the predominant emotion that women feel after abortion is relief over everything else.
This doesn’t mean abortion is emotionally easy. It’s a significant life event, and people have complex feelings about it. What matters is having proper support, making the decision autonomously, and being in an environment where you’re not judged or stigmatised.
Abortion will affect your future fertility
While it is one of the most common fears women have when thinking of abortion, it is, plain and simple, a false notion. A safe and uncomplicated abortion neither reduces your fertility nor affects your ability to have healthy pregnancies in the future. It doesn’t even matter if you seek medical or surgical abortion – as long as it is performed properly, your reproductive system will not be damaged in any shape or form.
Once you go through with an abortion, your periods should return to normal within four to six weeks, and after that, you can technically become pregnant. At the same time, it is best to wait for at least three months before trying again. That being said, the vast majority of women who have abortions go on to have successful pregnancies in the future, with no increased risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or any other complications.
The only minor point worth addressing is that if you develop an infection after an abortion and it is not treated on time, there is a small risk that it will develop into pelvic inflammatory disease. This can unfortunately affect your fertility, which is why it is important to watch for all the warning signs and seek help if needed.
Abortion is always extremely painful and traumatic
This is a downright annoying myth to tackle, as the very idea that abortion will be unbearably painful can stop women in their tracks altogether while causing unnecessary anxiety. The reality is that the level of pain you might experience during the process varies from one person to another. Not only that, but many even find the experience was far less difficult than anticipated.
When it comes to medical abortion, the amount of pain you are expected to feel is a bit more intense than a period cramp, but still perfectly manageable with medication like ibuprofen. It’s even easier with surgical abortion, in which you’re offered sedation or anaesthesia for the procedure itself. After it’s over, the cramping you’ll feel will be even milder and shorter-lasting than with medical abortion.
You need partner or family consent to get an abortion
While a few other myths discussed above can be harmful, this one is a particularly heinous one, as it can outright prevent women in conservative or ill-informed households from seeking the care they need. To be as straightforward about it as possible: if you’re over the age of 16 in the UK, you do not need anyone’s consent to go through an abortion. Not your partner’s, not your parents’, not anyone else’s consent.
This is a decision you alone can make, and even healthcare providers are legally prohibited from informing anyone you know of the situation. If there’s one thing you should know, it’s that healthcare professionals may still encourage you to involve at least one parent or guardian in the matter if you’re still a minor, even if for emotional support. But even so, they cannot force you to do so, and you’re allowed to make the final call on your own.
Abortion is not something you should fear
The unfortunate state of our society puts abortion in a bad spot, covering its truths with a thick paint of rumours, shame, and misinformation. All this serves only to create fear, shame, and confusion at one of the most critical crossroads in a woman’s life.
But to reiterate, abortion really is a safe procedure with a strong track record, so long as you get it through proper medical sources. It will not harm your fertility, your mental health, and you most certainly do not need anyone’s opinion to make your own decision on the matter. At the end of the day, never forget that only you can make decisions about your body and your future based on truth, not myths.
