A teenage pregnancy could be the worst nightmare for any girl. And If you are considering an abortion then it certainly would need a second thought. Often pregnancy termination leads to complications, which could become severe and long lasting especially if you are in your teens. About 30 percent of the abortions done these days involve girls between the age of 15–18 years. The risk of facing the side effects of abortion doubles if you are in your teen years. Hence, it becomes necessary to know the root cause of the problem in order to combat it.
Complications due to abortion: Does a girl have a right?
The lack of knowledge and understanding about the repercussions of teenage abortion is leading to the hike in the rate of teenage abortion. Moreover, many other social, moral, and emotional factors contribute to the same. Pregnancy termination at an early age affects you both emotionally and physically.
Psychological effects
Abortion at a young age leaves a deep impact on a girl’s psychology. Post-abortion syndrome prevails in almost every case of teenage abortion. Alcoholism and drug abuse are the main after effects of this syndrome. Treated successfully once, may force them to undergo multiple abortions leading to severe physical problems. Many times sexual dysfunction and damaged self esteem becomes the prime reason of troubled relationships in the future. Suicidal tendencies also develop in many cases.
Physiological effects
Abortion interferes with the natural process inside a female’s body. Though it may sound an easy and uncomplicated technique to many of you but the consequences are usually hazardous. Check out the following effects before making the decision:
1. Cervical disorders
The cervix is small and still under developed when you are in your teens. This accounts for 2–3 percent of the total aborted patients. Cervical tearing and lacerations is a common occurrence. This could eventually lead to damaged reproductive organs and reduced fertility.
2. Breast and ovarian cancer
The risk of having breast and ovarian cancer becomes double after abortion. Multiple abortions further augment the risk. The risk of developing cancer increases up to 30–50 percent.
3. Multiple abortions
If you consider abortion as an easy and uncomplicated process to get rid of pregnancy than think twice. Undergoing multiple abortions may lead to permanent infertility and the complications are more prevalent in girls opting for abortion more than once.
4. Ectopic pregnancy
Generally occurs due to multiple abortions. It could lead to either infertility or sometimes even death.
5. Uterine perforation
It occurs in 2–3 percent of the cases. The uterus or the uterine walls get perforated or scarred due to operating instruments. Mostly the problem goes undiagnozed and later on may result in damage to other internal organs.
6. Death during the operation
The anesthetic toxicity can prove fatal for the patient, resulting in cardiac arrest.
7. Abortion pills side effects
These pills cause fetal removal by contracting the uterus. Sometimes the bleeding due to this contraction becomes excess and prove dangerous to the mother’s life. Apart from this you might go through severe headache, vomiting, and cramps.
The other inevitable post abortion effects include
1. Consistent bleeding
2. Extreme abdominal pain and cramps
3. Nausea followed by diarrhea
4. Infection to the organs
How to deal with teenage abortions?
Teen abortion may cause drastic effects on the life of a girl. One factor that influences the rate of teenage abortion is the lack of knowledge and understanding about the consequences. Hence, educate your child about the importance of healthy relationships over sexual intimacy. Be frank with your child while discussing about the demerits of an early pregnancy. Public education should be provided to the teenagers on how to avoid pregnancy. Most of all don’t force your child to undergo abortion. Keep in mind that the life of your child is much is much more important than any family honor, guilt or embarrassment. If abortion is the only choice then the adults should provide full emotional support to the girl. Abortion carries a huge amount of emotional burden with it. So think deeply before opting for it. Teenage pregnancy is a difficult period for both the girl and her parents. So to avoid any emotional imbalance go for a professional counseling.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Does an abortion affects the chances of having a family in the future?
Abortion should not effect the chances of having a family in the future. However, all procedures do carry some risks with them. For example, infection is a common risk in the case of surgical methods. following the instructions given by the clinic carefully reduces the risk of complications.
2. Does a girl holds the right to make the decision regarding teenage abortion?
A girl has a right to decide for herself in the case of a teenage abortion. But in most of the cases the institutes or the clinic they are consulting demand someone from the family to accompany the patient. This is to ensure the safeguard of the girl and to provide required emotional support to her.