Did you know an abortion exposes women to certain risks and health complications? The most commonly reported complication following an abortion is infection which can be very serious if left untreated.
Whether you’ve recently had an abortion or are just beginning to research the procedure, learning about the warning signs of an infection and other complications is the best way to proactively safeguard your physical and emotional well-being.
Causes of Infection
An infection can occur whether you’ve taken the abortion pill or had a surgical abortion. With the abortion pill, infections are typically caused by an incomplete abortion – meaning some of the pregnancy tissue was not expelled and remains inside the uterus.
Infections following a surgical abortion are rare but are still possible. Follow the guidelines below to know when you should seek medical attention.
Symptoms That Require Medical Intervention
Some side effects following an abortion are to be expected. For example, nausea and headaches are commonly reported after taking the abortion pill.
However, the Mayo Clinic outlines several symptoms that should never be ignored. These 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
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or feel like something isn’t quite right following your abortion, seek medical care promptly. It’s always better to visit your doctor than compromise your health.
Getting the Care You Deserve
Heart of the Hills is committed to providing women with free pregnancy and sexual health services. We offer lab-quality pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STI testing and treatment, and so much more.
Your physical and emotional health matter to us. To schedule an appointment, simply call 830-456-8840 or make an appointment here.
Don’t settle for anything less than the quality care you deserve.
