Abortion

Health risks

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Even in regulated legal clinics, there is a small risk of serious complications from the most common surgical abortion procedures. These risks include: a perforated uterus, septic shock, sterility, and death. The exact risk and type of complications depend on the abortion method as well as the clinical and hygienic conditions.

Related Topics:
Uterus - Septic shock - Sterility - Death

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Studies have found that in developed countries where abortion is legal, the risk of serious physical complications of an abortion is less than 1%. In countries where abortion is illegal, this percentage is much higher, although the exact figure is unknown. This is likely due to the inherently dangerous nature of unregulated illegal surgery by doctors of dubious skill or by persons with no or insufficient medical training.

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Use of "traditional medicine" methods (e.g., overdoses of various drugs and inserting various objects into uterus) for abortions is also dangerous. Serious complications from abortions done outside of professional clinics may include infections and bleeding. In many cases, such abortions lead to death.

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Physical health

• Main article: Abortion-breast cancer (ABC) hypothesis

:The controversial abortion-breast cancer (ABC) hypothesis posits an association between having an abortion and a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The proposed mechanism is based on the increased estrogen levels found during early pregnancy, which initiate cellular differentiation (growth) in the breast in preparation for lactation. The ABC hypothesis states that if the pregnancy is aborted before full differentiation in the third trimester, then more "vulnerable" undifferentiated cells would be left than prior to the pregnancy, resulting in an elevated risk of breast cancer. The majority of interview-based studies have indicated a link, and some have been demonstrated to be statistically significant, but there remains debate as to their reliability because of possible response bias.

Related Topics:
Breast cancer - Estrogen - Pregnancy - Cellular differentiation - Breast - Lactation - Hypothesis - Trimester - Statistically significant - Response bias

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:According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it is "well established" that "induced abortion is not associated with an increase in breast cancer risk." Those findings have been disputed by Dr. Joel Brind, a leading scientific advocate of the ABC hypothesis. Nevertheless, gaps and inconsistencies remain in the research as the "ABC link" continues to be a politicized issue.

Related Topics:
National Cancer Institute - Dr. Joel Brind

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• A specific and undisputed complication that can arise, especially with repeated abortions by a dilatation and curettage, is the development of Asherman syndrome.

Mental health

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The medical literature has not conclusively shown that abortion affects mental health.

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:" conducted a review of the more than 250 studies in the literature pertaining to the psychological impact of abortion. Every effort was made to eliminate the bias that surrounds this controversial issue. It was not possible, however, to reach any conclusions about the health effects of abortion."{{ref|Koop}}

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Research on the risk of clinical depression associated with abortion has been inconclusive:

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• According to one study of 1,884 women conducted by the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, women whose first pregnancy ended in abortion are 65% more likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression around eight years later.
• Another study of 2,525 women revealed that women who had an abortion were more likely to report depression or lower satisfaction with their lives. However, they also often reported rape, childhood physical and sexual abuse, and violent partners. After controlling for the history of abuse, partner characteristics, and background variables, abortion was not related to poorer mental health.{{ref|abortion4}}
• A study in the Medical Science Monitor{{ref|abortion5}} stated that, "Consistent with previous research, the data here suggest abortion can increase stress and decrease coping abilities, particularly for those women who have a history of adverse childhood events and prior trauma." In the study, 65% of post-abortive American women and 13.1% of Russian women experienced multiple symptoms of increased arousal, re-experiencing, or avoidance associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the study, 14.3% of American and 0.9 % of Russian women met the full diagnostic criteria for PTSD.{{ref|abortion6}} However, in all fairness, not all PTSD is necessarily from abortion. Labor Law Talk has this commentary on the paper: "In keeping with the paper, it should however be noted that many day to day tasks cause problems for sufferers of PTSD, especially as a result of child abuse. Visits to dentists are often a problem, but women often still try to get to them and to avoid all events in life that might lead to re-traumatization." http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/Abortion

See also: Abortion trauma syndrome

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