Consequences of abortion on women's health

The article was professionally consulted by MSc, Dr. Trinh Thi Thanh Huyen - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital

The consequences of an abortion have the potential to cause many complications. Therefore, women, especially teenage girls, should learn and apply safe methods of contraception when having sex.

Abortion is the use of a procedure or medication for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy at an early stage in the pregnancy cycle. Abortion is not a method of contraception but rather a termination of pregnancy for reasons of compulsion or life circumstances.
Most of the reasons leading to abortion are because the woman has not planned to become pregnant in some circumstances:
Being of school age Not planning to have children Breaking work plans such as going on a business trip, Study abroad Rape The remaining cause is unwillingness, forcing the woman to have an abortion, including:
Pregnant women have diseases that, if pregnant, can be life-threatening such as chronic diseases Cardiovascular, renal, etc. The fetus after being antenatally examined and diagnosed with birth defects by the doctor, etc. All of the above causes of abortion stem from not applying or applying ineffectively. safe methods of contraception such as:
Do not use any contraception during sex Improper use of condoms IUDs past due IUDs, contraceptive implants expired, no longer effective at preventing pregnancy

Abortion is a method that directly affects the uterine cavity. Therefore, depending on the success of the procedure (physician qualifications, sterile equipment, etc.) that determines the level of safety of the woman. According to the time of complications, we divide into 2 categories:
2.1 Consequences of early abortion Consequences of unintended abortion that may occur during the procedure or after the procedure The procedure does not take long, including:
Bleeding: Vaginal bleeding or uterine stasis is common in cases of large fetus, uterine laxity due to multiple births, retained placenta, uterine perforation, and uterine contractions. poor, cervical tear, blood disease, etc. Infection: People with infection after the procedure have high fever, lower abdominal pain, white blood with bad smell, pus, pain during intercourse. Infection is caused by the patient not following the doctor's prescription or not properly cleaning the genitals. Another reason is that the surgeon is left behind, the equipment is not sterile, or the procedures are not sterile. 2.2 Consequences of Late Abortion Some of the consequences of late abortion may be the result of ineffective remedying of early consequences or a crude abortion procedure, include:
Amenorrhea: Caused by adhesions of the uterus, common in people with a history of multiple abortions Infertility: Due to adhesions of the uterus, blocked fallopian tubes Continuous miscarriage: Due to damage cervical injury, uterine isthmus in previous abortion procedures. As a result, it causes cervical opening, weakening of the cervix, causing miscarriage. Ectopic pregnancy: Due to weakened uterine wall, blocked fallopian tubes due to infection, the fetus cannot implant in the uterus but implant in other locations, mainly the fallopian tube. Placenta previa: A condition in which the fertilized egg does not implant in a favorable position in the uterus. This phenomenon occurs due to uterine damage causing scarring, making eggs not implant in the correct position, instead must implant in abnormal locations around the uterus.

To prevent the consequences of abortion, women need to ensure the principle of minimizing the risk of infection, specifically as follows:
Need to rest for 1 - 6 hours after the procedure Use medicine as prescribed by the doctor. Clean genitals with gynecological wash, change tampons 4 times / day or when dirty. Abstain from sex for at least 2 weeks after the procedure Rest and eat properly Re-examine after 5 weeks from the time of abortion

Contraceptives that can be used after an abortion include:
Oral contraceptives Injections (DMPA, NET-EN, Cyclofem and Mesigyna) Contraceptive implants (Norplant, Implanon) IUDs Supply: Can be placed immediately after screening for risk or manifestation of infection, uncontrolled bleeding and acute anemia.