Abortion can be described as the deliberate termination in pregnancy by removal of the fetus in the uterus. Abortion can be a difficult process to undertake, more so emotionally than physically. Even though the side effects of abortions may vary from one woman to another, some of the common ones are shared by most.

With increased awareness and the concept of nuclear families being on a high rise, abortions have become a commonality in pregnancies. In America, abortions are counted amongst the most frequently performed medical procedures, with around 40% of the pregnancies succumbing to abortions.

Overall, it is a rather safe and relatively quick procedure with low rates of serious complications, but there are some possible side effects of abortions that most women are bound to experience. Some of the more common effects of abortions are as follows:

Vaginal Bleeding

One of the most common side effects of abortions, which may last for a possible 2 to 4 weeks, is vaginal bleeding. The vaginal bleeding may be very severe in nature or can range from very light spotting to mild menstruation like bleeding. However, if the bleeding gets extremely heavy, more than typical menstruation bleeding, it is advisable to consult a physician immediately.

Abdominal Cramps

The procedure of abortion can be a painful one with more painful side effects. Usually, a surgical vacuum is used in order to dispose the fetus from the uterus. For this procedure to be performed, the uterus needs to be dilated, and this is done by the insertion of a cannula, which is a thin long tube, into the cervix. This procedure can lead to the after effects of severe uterine cramping. Uterine and lower abdomen cramping are possibly the most common side effect of abortions.

Dizziness and Headaches

Another common after effect of abortions is headaches accompanied by feelings of light-headedness. These effects are primarily the result of anesthesia that is administered before the procedure and they potentially last for a few hours before wearing off entirely.

Gastrointestinal Related Effects

Gastrointestinal related side effects such as vomiting, nausea and diarrhea are a commonplace side effect of abortions. While these effects may be associated to the provision of anesthesia before the procedure for some patients, they may be the result of stress or other possible medical conditions for others. Another reason for these effects of abortions could be the sudden decrease in the hormone HCG. HCG is a hormone that helps sustain pregnancy, and once the pregnancy is terminated, the levels of HCG in the body begin to decrease, leading to gastrointestinal related effects.