Abortion: Myths & Misconceptions

Abortion is one of the most politically and emotionally charged topics in American society, even worldwide. It's not surprising, therefore, that misconceptions about this medical procedure are widespread.

There's a great deal that needs to be covered, but here are some basics.

Myth: Abortion is dangerous for a woman's health.

Reality: In fact, the opposite is true: A first trimester abortion performed by a trained professional is significantly safer than pregnancy and childbirth. A 2012 study from Reuters found women are 14 times more likely to die during or after childbirth than from complications of a legal abortion.

Certainly, it must be said that abortions are not entirely risk-free—they can cause uterine blood clots, infection, injury to the cervix, uterus or other organs, or continued pregnancy—but serious repercussions are uncommon. Unless a woman experiences a rare complication, abortions have no long-term consequences on future health. Nor is abortion associated with other health issues, such as increased risk of cancer, premature birth, miscarriage or future pregnancy problems.

Myth: Women who get abortions will have psychological damage.

Reality: The American Psychological Association (APA) conducted a review in 1989, analyzing all studies to date on the mental health effects of abortion. The APA reported that legal abortion had no psychological impact on the majority of women who underwent the procedure.

However, it was noted that post-abortion psychological distress, such as anxiety and a sense of loss, was present predominantly in women who had lacked support from loved ones for their decision to end the pregnancy.

Myth: Abortion is used as birth control.

Reality: A 2014 study found 51 percent of women who got abortions reported using various birth control methods throughout the month before they got pregnant. Many reported using a birth control method improperly or failing to use it around the time of conception. Abortion should never be used as birth control. Most birth control failures are because of user failure, not the method itself.

Another study found that 52 percent of women getting an abortion were first-time patients, and 26 percent had undergone only one previous abortion.

Myth: Women who get an abortion have trouble getting pregnant again.

Reality: Having an abortion does not result in decreased fertility or difficulty becoming pregnant again. In fact, women may ovulate as soon as two weeks after the procedure. As a note of caution, it is recommended that women wait at least two weeks before having sex after an abortion to give the body time to heal.

Myth: Abortion is easily available.

Reality: Medical abortions are readily available in certain parts of the United States, but federal and state laws have limited access in many parts of the country, particularly more rural regions.

For women living in an area with no abortion clinic nearby, medication abortion—also known as the abortion pill, mifepristone—may be the only option. Yet studies have shown that medication abortion is typically offered only in areas where the procedure is already available at a nearby clinic. The abortion pill can cause complications including bleeding and failure to abort, so it would not be recommended without close supervision for women living in rural areas with few clinics.

Indeed, 33 states allow only a licensed physician to prescribe the abortion pill. Twenty-seven U.S. cities (10 in Texas) are considered "abortion deserts" with no access within 100 miles, and 31 percent of women in rural areas have to travel more than 100 miles to get an abortion. Ninety percent of U.S. counties have no abortion provider, and six states have only one abortion facility. Further, the prices for abortion are steep in many parts of the U.S.

The Hyde Ammendement from 1977 bans federal funds for abortion unless the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or threatens the woman's life, and Medicaid programs in 14 states don't cover the cost of mifepristone at all. Some 11 states have limited coverage of abortion in private insurance plans, and only six states require insurance plans to cover it. Given that 75 percent of women who get an abortion have low income, the financial burden is a significant barrier to access.

Terminating a pregnancy remains an extremely personal choice. Being informed about the facts can help support a woman in making the decision, and help others understand the complexities of this controversial issue.

Abortion is a medical procedure that is currently illegal or restricted in some portions of the United States. For more information about the legality of abortion in your area, please consult a local healthcare provider.