How an STD Can Affect Your Health After an Abortion

If you’re considering an abortion, you should first get tested for an STD or STI. Testing helps you determine if you should undergo treatment, and it will protect you against severe complications during the abortion procedure.

Untreated STDs can cause serious problems, and having an abortion with an untreated STD can lead to:

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

STDs and STIs can spread beyond the genital region, especially if they are present during an operation like a surgical abortion. This procedure requires an incision to access the cervix, allowing any present bacteria to reach your organs. You increase your chances of developing a pelvic inflammatory disease if you have an abortion while infected with an STD. The most common STDs are gonorrhea or chlamydia, but any STD or STI can cause PID.

Symptoms of PID include:

• Fever and fever-like symptoms (nausea, vomiting, chills, etc.)
• Heavy discharge or unpleasant odor from the vagina
• Pain in your uterine area
• Pain while urinating; increased urination
• Painful intercourse

Along with PID symptoms, you could further develop complications like ectopic pregnancies or infertility.

Ectopic Pregnancies

A common side effect of PID is ectopic pregnancy, a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical care. This type of pregnancy involves the fertilized egg implanting in the fallopian tube instead of on the uterine wall. PID creates scar tissue in your fallopian tubes, keeping the egg from traveling to the uterus as it should. Ectopic pregnancies are never viable and can be life-threatening. Warning signs include:

• Pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cramping
• Nerve pain in your neck, shoulder, or rectum

Infertility

Because PID harms your uterus, fallopian tubes, and other components of your reproductive organs, the damage can eventually lead to infertility. The longer you wait to treat PID or the more times you contract it, the more likely you may become infertile.

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Since PID causes tissue scarring in your reproductive organs, you could develop lifelong pain in your pelvic area. For many women, the pain increases during intercourse or throughout their ovulation period.

If you’re considering an abortion, rely on the Women’s Clinic of Atlanta to ensure your health first.

Our comprehensive abortion screening appointments include testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea. We also provide treatment if necessary to reduce the risk of PID or any other STD- or STI-related complication. Your health matters. Please schedule your appointment by sending us a text: 404-777-4771