One of the most common types of complications after abortion is an infection. It’s vital to your health and safety that you know what signs and symptoms come with a possible infection. Get medical attention right away if you suspect infection in any way. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Signs of Infection
If you’ve had an abortion, medical providers recommend you have a follow-up appointment to be sure you’re healing and to evaluate any signs of infection.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some signs and symptoms of infection include:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
The Risks of Infection After Abortion
An untreated infection in a woman’s body can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If a woman doesn’t receive PID treatment right away, they are at risk of developing abscesses and permanent scarring throughout their reproductive tract. This increases their risk of the following complications:
- Chronic pelvic pain, usually during sex or ovulation
- Tubo-ovarian cyst, which is an abscess in the reproductive tract that can become life-threatening if left untreated.
- Ectopic Pregnancy (pregnancy not located in the uterus)—because scarring from PID in the fallopian tubes might make it impossible for an embryo to reach the uterus, the embryo may implant in the tube. This can become a life-threatening condition.
- Infertility—It may become difficult or impossible for women to conceive after damage caused by PID. This risk increases with repeated PID diagnoses and untreated PID.
Get More Answers
If you have further questions about abortion and the risks, don’t hesitate to discuss them with us. We are a safe and non-judgmental environment. Once you’ve confirmed your pregnancy at our center, we can discuss any pregnancy options you’d like to learn more about, including abortion. Contact our team at Pathway to Hope today to set up a free and confidential appointment. You are not alone.
