If you’ve had an abortion and are wondering whether you’ll be able to become pregnant again, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions women ask after an abortion, especially if they’re hoping to have children someday or think they may already be pregnant again.
The reassuring news is that, for most women, it is possible to become pregnant after an abortion. In fact, ovulation can return as soon as a few weeks after the pregnancy ends, which means pregnancy can occur before your first menstrual period returns.
However, every woman’s experience is different. In some situations, complications following an abortion can affect fertility, particularly if an infection or injury to the uterus occurs.
Understanding these potential risks can help you know when to seek medical care and what to do if you have concerns about your reproductive health.
Read on to learn more, or contact Choices today to find a safe space to ask questions and find answers.
Complications Can Affect Fertility
Most abortions do not prevent a woman from becoming pregnant in the future. Whether the abortion was chemical (using abortion drugs) or surgical, many women go on to have healthy pregnancies later.
However, complications can affect future fertility.
For example, an untreated infection after an abortion can damage the reproductive organs if it spreads. Likewise, an incomplete abortion that requires additional procedures or complications involving the uterus may increase the risk of future reproductive problems in some cases.
If you’ve recently had an abortion, it’s important to seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as heavy bleeding, fever, severe abdominal pain, foul-smelling discharge, or symptoms that worsen instead of improve after an abortion.
What Is Asherman’s Syndrome?
Asherman’s syndrome is a complication that can happen after a surgical abortion.
Asherman’s syndrome occurs when scar tissue forms inside the uterus, causing the walls of the uterus to partially or completely stick together. This condition is most commonly associated with procedures that involve instrumentation inside the uterus, such as a surgical abortion.
The scar tissue can reduce the amount of healthy uterine lining available for implantation, which may make it more difficult to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term.
Symptoms of Asherman’s syndrome may include:
- Lighter-than-normal menstrual periods
- Missed periods
- Pelvic pain
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
- Recurrent miscarriage
What If I Think I’m Pregnant Again After an Abortion?
If you’ve recently had an abortion and think you may be pregnant again, the first step is to take a pregnancy test.
Keep in mind that pregnancy tests detect the hormone hCG, which can remain in your body for several weeks after an abortion. Because of this, a positive pregnancy test shortly after an abortion doesn’t always mean you’ve conceived again. It may simply be detecting hormone levels from the previous pregnancy.
If you receive a positive pregnancy test or you’re unsure what’s causing your symptoms, it’s important to follow up with a healthcare provider. An ultrasound and additional evaluation can help determine whether you’re experiencing a new pregnancy, retained pregnancy tissue from the previous abortion, or another medical condition.
Get Answers and Support at Choices
Whether you’re concerned about your fertility, think you may be pregnant again, or are experiencing physical symptoms or emotional struggles after an abortion, you don’t have to navigate those concerns alone.
At Choices, we provide a compassionate, confidential place where you can receive pregnancy testing, discuss your concerns, and learn more about your reproductive health. If you think you may be pregnant, our team can help you understand your next steps and provide the information you need to make informed decisions about your care.
Contact Choices today to schedule your confidential appointment. We’re here to answer your questions, support you, and provide the care and information you deserve. You’re not alone in this.
Pregnancy Testing
To confirm your pregnancy, start with a no-cost pregnancy test from Choices. We will confidentially provide conclusive results at no cost to you.
STD/STI Services
During your pregnancy test, we also offer limited STD/STI screening. You and your partner receive no-cost treatment if you test positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, or syphilis.
Ultrasounds
If your pregnancy test is positive, complete the confirmation process with a no-cost limited ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms viability, the gestational age, and the location of your pregnancy.
Abortion Pill Reversal
If you’ve taken the first dose of the abortion pill method and regret your decision, it may not be too late to save your pregnancy. There’s a process called Abortion Pill Reversal, but you must act quickly.
Pregnancy Testing
To confirm your pregnancy, start with a no-cost pregnancy test from Choices. We will confidentially provide conclusive results at no cost to you.
STD/STI Services
During your pregnancy test, we also offer limited STD/STI screening. You and your partner receive no-cost treatment if you test positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, or syphilis.
Ultrasounds
If your pregnancy test is positive, complete the confirmation process with a no-cost limited ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms viability, the gestational age, and the location of your pregnancy.
Abortion Pill Reversal
If you’ve taken the first dose of the abortion pill method and regret your decision, it may not be too late to save your pregnancy. There’s a process called Abortion Pill Reversal, but you must act quickly.
