Is abortion safe?

Abortion is one of the safest medical procedures for women in the U.S. As with any procedure, there are risks with either medication or aspiration abortion, but complications are very rare. Serious complications occur in one-half of one percent of women who have abortions.

Complications from having an abortion in the first trimester are less common and less serious than complications from giving birth. The risk of death during pregnancy and childbirth is ten times greater than the risk of death from abortion.

Will I be able to have a child in the future?

Having an abortion does not affect your ability to have a normal pregnancy in the future. It does not increase your risk for miscarriage, infertility, birth defects, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, low birth-weight or pre-term delivery.
If you decide to have an abortion it will not affect future childbearing.

Does abortion increase the risk for breast cancer?

Abortion does not increase the risk for breast cancer. In 2003, the National Cancer Institute, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, convened a panel of more than 100 experts on pregnancy and breast cancer from around the world to address this question. The Summary Report concluded that “induced abortion is not associated with an increase in breast cancer risk.”

Does abortion cause depression?

No, abortion does not pose a hazard to mental health. The American Psychological Association has concluded that there is no scientific evidence for the so-called “post-abortion syndrome” of depression or psychological trauma. Depression following abortion is much less common than post-partum depression after childbirth. We encourage each woman having an abortion to talk to a supportive friend or family member if it would be helpful to her. Another excellent resource is Healthy Coping After an Abortion.

Learn more about the safety of abortion, references and the source list.