Abortion is a deeply personal decision and experience, and it’s also a topic surrounded by misconceptions. Some of the misconceptions we’ve blindly accepted throughout our lives, but it’s important to look into them and correct them. The better we understand abortion, the better we’ll be able to speak about it and understand it as a fundamental piece of reproductive rights. Here are 7 myths about abortion debunked:
Abortion causes breast cancer
The fact is there’s no scientific evidence linking abortion to an increased risk of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society, American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, Planned Parenthood, and numerous other reputable health organizations have all stated that abortion doesn’t cause breast cancer.
Most people regret their abortion
This is a very common myth and one of the most common arguments among pro-life people. However, looking at the numbers suggests otherwise. Most people don’t regret their decision to have an abortion. In 2020, a UC San Francisco study showed that over 95% of women surveyed five years after having an abortion reported that it was the right decision for them. The decision to have an abortion is deeply personal, and only the individual and their healthcare provider can determine what’s best for their health and life.
Emergency contraception and medication abortions are the same thing
Emergency contraception and medication abortion are not the same thing. Emergency contraceptive pills, often known as the morning-after pill, are designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Medication abortion involves taking prescribed pills to terminate an existing pregnancy. Understanding the difference between the two is essential to making informed reproductive choices.
Physical health concern is the only valid reason for an abortion
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This myth is very reductive because there’s a great variety of valid reasons why someone might seek an abortion, not just physical health concerns. Economic hardships, relationship issues, the need to focus on other children, and personal readiness are all valid reasons for choosing to have an abortion. There’s also the case of pregnancy as a result of rape or forced incest. Everyone’s circumstances are unique and the choice of seeking an abortion is as personal as it gets. It should be respected instead of policed.
Abortion leads to fertility issues
Abortion doesn’t affect fertility and this myth has been debunked for a long time. Abortion rarely leads to infertility issues and there’s no evidence it’s associated with infertility risks. People can conceive again shortly after having an abortion if they choose to. This myth can cause unnecessary fear and anxiety, but the science is clear: abortion does not impact long-term fertility.
Abortion causes “Post-Abortion Syndrome”
Photo by Felipe Cespedes
Post-abortion syndrome isn’t recognized as a medical condition. While individual experiences vary, most people don’t experience long-term psychological or emotional problems after an abortion. Many women report feeling relief after the procedure. It's normal to have a range of emotions, especially if the decision is difficult, but having support during and after the process can help process those emotions healthily.
Medical abortion is painful
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The experience of a medical abortion can involve bleeding and pelvic cramping, particularly in the first 24 hours after taking the misoprostol tablets. However, pain relief options exist to manage the symptoms. Women who are well-informed about what to expect, who have made an informed choice, and who have access to safe abortion rarely experience any issues or complications.
We hope the debunking of these myths challenges any misinformation you may have absorbed and we encourage you to share this information. Promoting factual understanding helps friends, family, and communities navigate challenging conversations about abortion with compassion and truth, and that can make a big difference.
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