Could an elective abortion raise the risk of problems in a future pregnancy?
Answer From Alyssa Larish, M.D.
Getting an elective abortion involves making a personal choice to end a pregnancy. Most often, elective abortions don't cause fertility issues or problems with future pregnancies.
But risks to future pregnancies may depend on the type of elective abortion you have:
- Medical abortion. This involves taking medicine to end a pregnancy. It can be done at home as long as you can reach a healthcare professional by phone or online. A medical abortion doesn't seem to raise the risk of future pregnancy complications.
Surgical abortion. This also is called a procedural abortion. Healthcare professionals remove pregnancy tissue from the uterus through the vagina. Most often, this is done using a suction device or a tool called a curette. You might hear the process called dilation and curettage. Many studies have shown that surgical abortion has little impact on future pregnancies. Some studies have found that it may slightly raise the risk of future premature birth, miscarriage or low birth weight. But other research did not find this increase in risk.
Rarely, bands of scar tissue form in the uterus after dilation and curettage. This condition is called Asherman syndrome. The risk of this syndrome is higher after getting dilation and curettage more than once. Asherman syndrome is linked with trouble becoming pregnant in the future. But it often can be treated with surgery.
If you've had an elective abortion and you're concerned about becoming pregnant in the future, talk with your healthcare professional. Ask about the risks and the steps you can take to raise your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Show References
- Steinauer J, et al. Overview of pregnancy termination. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 27, 2024.
- FAQs: Abortion care. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/induced-abortion. Accessed Feb. 27, 2024.
- FAQs: Dilation and curettage (D&C). American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/Dilation-and-Curettage. Accessed Feb. 27, 2024.
- Layden EA, et al., eds. Abortion. In: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 27, 2024.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. 225: Medication abortion up to 70 days gestation. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2020; doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004082. Reaffirmed 2023.
- Cason P, et al., eds. Abortion. In: Contraceptive Technology. 22nd ed. Kindle edition. Jones & Barlett Learning; 2025. Accessed Jan. 25, 2024.
- Larish AM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Feb. 27, 2024.
- Ferri FF. Asherman syndrome (intrauterine adhesions). In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2024. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 27, 2024.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551