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Physical Side Effects of Multiple Abortions
After discussing pregnancy complications and types and methods of abortions in my previous hubs, this time I will share some useful information on physical side effects of multiple abortions and what are their effects on women health. According to me, abortion always carry a risk of side effect in one way or another, some are mild and short term and get unnoticed and some are severe and long term and are highly life threatening. My purpose of sharing this information is to educate unmarried and married women and their partners and relatives about the serious risks and physical side effects of abortion, so that they could understand that avoiding an abortion is always better at all times. Also, contraception and use of protection is the best way to prevent teen pregnancy and teen abortion issues. So the physical side effects of abortion are:
Breast Cancer – Do you know the risk of breast cancer increases after one abortion and even further enhances with two or more abortions.
Ovarian and Cervical Cancer - Women with one abortion face a 2.3 relative risk of cervical cancer compared with women who have multiple abortions. Women with two or more abortions face a 4.92 relative risk. Also according to some recent studies, risk of ovarian and liver cancer has been linked to single or multiple abortions. Also, women who have had abortions were apparently linked to the unnatural disruption of the hormonal changes accompanying unwanted pregnancy and untreated cervical lesions causing increased rates of cancer.
Uterine Perforation – Approximately 2% to 3% of abortion patients can suffer from perforation of uterus, most common physical side effect of abortion. Also, most uterine wall lesions remain undiagnosed and untreated unless a laparoscopic procedure is performed for better visualization of the internal structures of uterus. Also, laparoscopic visualization is helpful when starting a prosecution for negligent practice of abortion. Also it has been noticed that risk of uterine perforation is increased for women who have had children in past and for those receiving general anesthesia during their current abortion. The damage to the uterus in subsequent pregnancies after abortions can be complicated and may eventually lead to problems that require a hysterectomy, which itself can lead to several other internal injuries and long-term complications including osteoporosis.
Cervical Tears - In at least 1% of abortions done in the first quarter of pregnancy, significant cervical tears and lacerations occur which require suturing. Minor lacerations and tears which are usually not treated can also eventually damage the reproductive function causing long-term infertility. The post-abortion injuries can give rise to other risks like cervical incompetence, complications during childbirth, and premature delivery. Also, risk of cervical damage is greater in adolescents than mature adults.
Ectopic Pregnancy – Medical research has significantly associated multiple abortions with an increased risk of subsequent ectopic pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies can lead to decreased fertility in future and are also life threatening.Placenta Previa - As already discussed in my previous hub - Placenta Previa - A Possible Reason for Miscarriage During Pregnancy, abortion increases the risk of placenta previa in later pregnancies (a circumstance that threatens both the life of mother and baby), on a scale of between 7 and 15. Abnormal development of placenta due to uterine damage increases the risk and physical side effects of perinatal death, excessive uncontrolled bleeding during childbirth, and fetal malformations.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - PID is a side effect that may endanger life and lead to an increased risk of reduced fertility and ectopic pregnancies. It is therefore recommended to gynecologists to prevent and treat PID prior to performing abortions.
Endometritis - Inflammation of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus, is a post abortion side effect for most women, especially for teenagers who have 2.5 times greater chance of developing endometritis after abortion than women aged between 20 and 29.Other Immediate Complications - About ten percent of women who have had underwent abortion suffer immediate complications, of which approximately 1/5th approximately 2% are considered life threatening. The 9 most common major physical side effects that can occur during and after abortion are excessive bleeding, infection, embolism, anesthesia complications, convulsions, ripping or perforation of uterus, cervical injury, and septic shock, and hemorrhages.