Teen Abortion Facts

QUESTION: Teen abortion facts - What are the risks?

ANSWER:

There are many risks involved with teen abortion. To begin with death can occur because of teen abortion. It is reported that legal abortion is the fifth leading cause of maternal death in the United States. These deaths are caused by infection, embolism, hemorrhage, anesthesia, and undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies. The actual figure of deaths caused by legal abortion is probably much higher than reported since many of the maternal deaths reported are not recorded as being caused by legal abortion.

Teen abortion facts also report that the risk of breast cancer almost doubles if an abortion is performed on a first pregnancy during the first trimester of the pregnancy. The risk of cervical cancer also increases with the number of abortions the woman has undergone. The risk jumps from 2.3 to 4.92 in women who have had more than one abortion. It is thought that the unnatural disruptions in the woman's hormonal balances caused by the abortion, contributes to the increase risk for cervical cancer.

Teen abortion facts also report an increase in uterine perforations and cervical lacerations. It is estimated that 2-3% of all women who undergo an abortion experience uterine perforation. However, the injuries frequently go undiagnosed because it requires a laparoscopic visualization to find the perforations. Uterine perforations can result in complications during pregnancy and/or other problems that may require a hysterectomy. Cervical lacerations that occur in about 1% of abortions can result in complications during pregnancy, premature birth, and/or the inability to conceive.

Teen abortion facts also report a ten to fifteen fold increase in the risk of placenta previa, a life-threatening complication during pregnancy that threatens the life of the mother as well as the infant she carries. In addition, abortion is regarded as increasing the risk of future etopic pregnancies, a life-threatening condition that can, in turn, decrease a women's fertility.

Other teen abortion facts about the risks of abortion include such complications as pelvic inflammatory disease, excessive bleeding, infection, convulsions, endotoxic shock, fever, hemorrhage, chronic abdominal pain, vomiting, and gastrointestinal disturbances.

All in all, teen abortion facts report that teens are at a much higher risk for these life-threatening complications and long-term reproductive problems.