Will the Abortion Pill Affect My Future Fertility?

No. The abortion pill does not affect your ability to get pregnant in the future. This has been confirmed by decades of medical research and is supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Studies involving thousands of patients show no difference in fertility rates between people who have had an abortion and those who have not. The abortion pill does not damage your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. It does not cause scarring or other complications that would interfere with a future pregnancy.

If you are concerned about your future ability to have children, you can feel confident that the abortion pill will not stand in the way of those plans.

The medical evidence on this topic is clear and consistent. Multiple large-scale studies have found no connection between abortion and future infertility.

A 2021 review published in the journal Contraception examined data from numerous studies and concluded that medication abortion does not increase the risk of future pregnancy complications. The review found no increased risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, preterm birth, or low birth weight in subsequent pregnancies.

ACOG states directly that having an abortion does not affect future fertility. The WHO includes the same finding in its clinical guidelines. These conclusions are based on evidence gathered over more than 25 years of studying medication abortion outcomes.

The evidence is particularly strong for the abortion pill (medication abortion) because it does not involve any instruments entering the uterus. There is no physical mechanism by which mifepristone or misoprostol would cause lasting changes to your reproductive system.

You can become pregnant again very soon after taking the abortion pill. Ovulation, the release of an egg, can happen as early as 2 weeks after the abortion is complete. This means you could become pregnant before your next period arrives.

If you do not want to become pregnant right away, it is important to start using birth control soon after your abortion. The provider at your appointment or follow-up visit can discuss your options. Many forms of birth control, including the pill, IUD, implant, and injection, can be started shortly after the abortion pill process is complete.

If you do want to become pregnant in the future, most providers recommend waiting until you have had at least one normal menstrual period before trying to conceive. This makes it easier to date a future pregnancy accurately. There is no medical need to wait longer than that.

The myth that abortion affects fertility has been around for decades, long before the abortion pill was available. It likely originated from a time when abortion procedures were performed under less safe conditions and with older medical techniques. Complications from those procedures, which are rare with modern care, could sometimes lead to scarring or infection that affected fertility.

The abortion pill works differently from a surgical procedure. It uses medications to end the pregnancy without any instruments entering the uterus. There is no cutting, scraping, or suction involved. Because of this, the risk of complications that could theoretically affect fertility is extremely low.

Misinformation about abortion and fertility continues to circulate online and through anti-abortion organizations. When evaluating claims about abortion, look for information from established medical organizations like ACOG, the WHO, and the FDA.

No. Having more than one abortion does not affect your future fertility. Research shows that repeat medication abortions carry the same low risk profile as a first abortion. There is no cumulative effect on your reproductive system.

A study published in Human Reproduction found no significant difference in fertility outcomes between patients who had one abortion and those who had multiple abortions. The ability to conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy was the same in both groups.

Each abortion pill process is a self-contained event. The medications are fully metabolized by your body within days, and your reproductive system returns to its normal function. Your provider can answer any specific questions about your individual health history.

No. The abortion pill does not increase the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Studies have found no increased risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa, preterm birth, or low birth weight after a medication abortion.

Your future pregnancies are not affected by having taken the abortion pill. When you are ready to become pregnant, your chances of a healthy pregnancy are the same as they would have been without the abortion.

If you have other health conditions that affect fertility, those exist independently of your abortion history. Your provider can help you understand any factors that may be relevant to your specific situation.

Call The Center for Women at (708) 450-4545 to schedule your appointment. Same-day, evening, and weekend appointments are available.

The clinic is located at 10215 W. Roosevelt Rd. #101, Westchester, IL 60154. The abortion pill is available for patients up to 10 weeks pregnant. The all-inclusive cost is $380, which covers your provider appointment, ultrasound, medications, and follow-up visit. The provider can answer your questions about fertility and birth control during your visit.