Abortion is a term used to refer to the termination of pregnancy following the removal of a fetus or embryo from the uterus (Holmlund et al ., 2014). An abortion which takes place unprompted is usually referred to as a miscarriage. An abortion in which calculated steps are employed to terminate a pregnancy is commonly referred to as an induced abortion. Modern procedures utilize surgery or medications during abortion processes. During the second and first trimester of pregnancy, the most effective and safe means of abortion involves the use of mifepristone drug which is usually combined with prostaglandin. The most popular surgical abortion procedures involve the dilation of the cervix and the use of a suction device or instrument. Birth control, for instance, intrauterine devices and the pills may be used immediately after an abortion. When executed safely and legally, induced abortions do not usually cause an increased risk of long-term physical or mental problems. Contrarily, unsafe abortions cause significant increases in death. Approximately fifty-six million abortions are usually executed every year globally with around forty-five percent done unsafely. Unsafe abortions cause about 47,000 demises and five million admissions every yearly (Mauldon, Foster, Roberts, 2015).
Abortion has been associated with negative physical and psychological impacts. Examples of physical effects due to abortion include mortality, health complications, infertility, and various life-threatening reproductive risks. Abortion has been associated with higher mortality risks of up to seven times more than suicide mortality risks. Register-Based research revealed that women exhibited a significant decline in suicide risks after birth (Mauldon, Foster, & Roberts, 2015). Further according to Mauldon, Foster, and Roberts (2015) substantial increases in suicide risks have been reported among women who had miscarriages and induced abortions. Additionally, Mauldon, Foster and Roberts (2015) points out to an increase in homicide and accidental death risks after abortion procedures and mortality rates (21.8 percent amid 100,000 women) due to suicide following an abortion procedure compared to the mortality rates among women whose pregnancies’ cessation was through birth (3.3 percent amid 100,000 women) (Mauldon, Foster, & Roberts, 2015). A study conducted by Taylor (2012) revealed that compared to the females who gave birth, those who underwent abortion procedures had a sixty-two percent risk of death from various causes for approximately eight years following their pregnancies. Mortality due to suicide was significantly higher (2.5 percent higher) than that due to accidents. The primary causes of maternal deaths, a week after an abortion procedure include undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies, anesthesia compilations, embolism, infections, and hemorrhage.
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Multiple studies have associated abortion with various health complications (Holmuld et al., 2014). Around ten percent of the individuals who undergo abortion procedures suffer immediate health complications. The immediate complications due to abortion include hemorrhage, infections, perforated or ripped uterus, cervical injuries, embolism, convulsions, embolism, acute abdominal pains, gastrointestinal issues, Rh sensitization, endo-toxic shock. A study by Mauldon, Foster, and Roberts, (2015) associates abortion with significant increases in breast cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer risks. Lung cancer is probably due to the increased smoking patterns following an abortion. Also, thirty-one percent of women in the U.S suffer health complications due to abortion (Mauldon, Foster, & Roberts, 2015). Additionally, according to Mauldon, Foster, and Roberts (2015), based on the form of health care sought after and before abortions, there was a significant increase of around 80 and 180 percent visits the physician due to physical and psychological issues respectively following an abortion. The study also revealed an increase in self-destructive lifestyles which subsequently spiral health issues. These women depicted an increased risk of eating disorders, drug abuse, and promiscuity, which subsequently exposed these women to other health issues.
Abortion has also been associated with infertility risks and life-threatening risks in reproduction. Abortion may cause significant damages to a woman’s reproductive organs and cause permanent and long-term issues that can expose one’s future pregnancies to risks. Women who undergo abortions are likely to experience miscarriages, premature births, infertility, stillbirths, hysterectomies, and ectopic pregnancies compared to women who’ve never had abortions (Mauldon, Foster, & Roberts, 2015). Abortion often exposes women to risk of contracting PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disorder); this is a life-threatening disorder which causes infertility and ectopic pregnancies (Mauldon, Foster, & Roberts, 2015). After an abortion, women are usually exposed to a seven to fifteen percent increase of experiencing placenta previa during their subsequent pregnancies. The abnormal placenta development because of the damage caused to the uterine usually increases congenital disability risks, excessive bleeding during labor, and stillbirths. Additionally, abortion may lead to endometritis; this is the inflammation of the endometrium (the uterus' inner lining) (Holmlund et al., 2014). Endometritis may lead to infertility issues and hospitalization; it is a primary cause of maternal mortality during pregnancy. Abortion may lead to post-term and pre-term deliveries and disability and death of newborns in later pregnancies.
An extensive Danish record linkage research compared the psychiatric exposure risks during the months after and before an abortion (first-time) with the psychiatric exposure risks after and before the desired childbirth (first) (Taylor 2012). The study utilized data collected from 280,000 births and 84,000 abortions. The research revealed that significant increases in psychiatric exposure risks among women who aborted and had unplanned pregnancies. Psychological effects due to abortion include PTSD, denial, anger, guilt, somatization, anxiety, and depression. PTSD often occurs in instances where a traumatic incidence triggers the hyper-arousal of an individual’s defense mechanisms (Holmuld et al ., 2014). Hyper-arousal usually causes the disorganization, and disconnection an individual’s defense mechanisms resulting in primary personality disorders and abnormal behaviors. A study revealed that approximately nineteen percent of post-abortion females often suffer from diagnosable PTSD (Taylor, 2012). Approximately half of these women exhibited many PTSD symptoms. Twenty to forty percent of these women showed moderate to increased stress levels and avoidance behavior due to their abortion experiences. Denial is a common aspect among these women, and it is likely to last for an extended period. Denial relates to the refusal to acknowledge a fact or reality. Individuals under denial often attempt to ignore the existence of a painful feeling, thought, or event.
Anger relates to an emotion that is characterized by the aspect of antagonism towards something or someone, in this case, abortion (Holmuld et al., 2014). Anger may expose one to various health issues which include high blood pressure, heart attacks, depression, and anxiety. Guilt refers to then emotional or cognitive experience which occurs in instances where an individual realizes or believes that they have breached a global moral standard or compromised their standards of conduct. Women who have undergone abortion procedures may exhibit different forms of depression disorders; they include dysthymia (chronic depression), primary depressive disorder, postpartum depression, and psychotic depression. Studies reveal that depression among these women may impact their capacity to socialize and cause aspects such as constant pessimism, persistent sadness or irritability, lack of interest in their previously enjoyed hobbies, and the feeling of self-loathing and inadequacy (Taylor, 2012). Anxiety among post-abortive women may be depicted through various actions. These women often exhibit aspects such as excessive worrying, insomnia, increased agitation, restlessness, concentration difficulties, panic attacks, irritability, and they usually avoid social situations.
In conclusion, approximately fifty-six million abortions are usually executed every year globally with around forty-five percent done unsafely. Unsafe abortions cause around 47,000 demises and five million admissions every yearly. Abortion brings about various negative effects both physically and psychologically. Physical impacts due to abortion include mortality, health complications, infertility, and various life-threatening reproductive risks. Psychological effects due to abortion include PTSD, denial, anger, guilt, somatization, anxiety, and depression. Women should consider various pregnancy prevention measures such as morning-after-pills, and birth control measures to avoid the incidences of abortion. Additionally, strategies to prevent abortion should be deemed to avoid the prevalence of these health issues.
References
Holmlund, S., Kaljonen, A., Junttila, N., Raiha, H., Makinen, J., & Rautava, P. (2014). Psychological ill-being experienced by first-time mothers and their partners in pregnancy after abortion: a cohort study . Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology , 35 (4), 132–139.
Mauldon, J., Foster, D. G., & Roberts, S. C. M. (2015). Effect of Abortion vs. Carrying to Term on a Woman’s Relationship with the Man Involved in the Pregnancy . Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health , 47 (1), 11–18.
Taylor, P. (2012). The Long-term Psycho-Social Effects of Abortion on Women. New Bioethics , 18 (2), 89–100.
