Health Risks Of Repeated Abortions In India

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Abortion is one of the most common health interventions. It is safe when carried out using the methods suggested by WHO. But did you know 6 out of 10 of all unintended pregnancies lead to abortion, and about 56% of all abortions in India are unsafe?

Unsafe abortion leads to mental and physical health complications and financial and social burdens for women and health systems. Lack of access to timely, safe, respectful, and affordable abortion care is the most common public health issue at this juncture.

Since the introduction of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act in 1971, abortion in India has been legal under different circumstances. In 2003, the act was amended to enable women’s accessibility to legal and safe abortion services.

Reasons associated with repeated abortions in India

Abortions can be due to multiple socio-demographic factors like sex, age, race, education, religion, family income, occupational status, and individual health.

Women with low socioeconomic status are at higher risk of abortion due to unplanned pregnancy. Studies also revealed that older women are at a greater risk of having an abortion compared to younger women.

Moreover, female sex workers suffering from sexually transmitted diseases and HIV also opt for an abortion. They also bump into unplanned pregnancies due to a lack of awareness and knowledge on the use of condoms and contraceptives.

Furthermore, lack of sex education among girls and women also significantly contributes to unplanned pregnancies, leading to induced abortions.

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Reasons for unsafe abortions in India

Due to various social and economic barriers, abortions are considered highly unsafe for some women. In fact, unsafe abortions are the third leading cause of maternal deaths in the country, contributing to 8% of all such deaths every year, with 13 women dying each day.

Some of the reasons why women opt for abortion outside the authorized abortions centres are:

High costs at hospitals in the cities. The charges of the private sector are huge and unaffordable for poor people.
Women are unaware of the need to seek abortion early in pregnancy.
Women are unable to fulfil the requirements as per the MTP act, thus leading to unsafe means.
Absence of competent health professionals and poor quality of care in government hospitals in the rural area as these areas lack registered medical infrastructure, supplies, and providers.
Hesitation in obtaining services from known neighbourhood hospitals due to lack of confidentiality.

Abortion, as most women are aware, can also add potential side effects and risks to your body and future health.

Common side effects

Bleeding
Cramping
Dizziness
Vomiting
Drowsiness

Complications

Excessive bleeding
Damage to cervix or womb
Septic shock or sepsis
Uterine perforation
Incomplete abortion
Uterus infection
Scarring on the inside of the uterus

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Health risks

Future preterm deliveries

Abortion increases a women’s risk of future pre-term deliveries because it weakens the cervix. In two recent studies, it was found that one induced abortion increases the risk of pre-term birth subsequently by between 25% and 27%.

After repeated abortions, a women’s risk of pre-term birth increases between 51% and 62%. Premature births carry serious health risks for infants.

Infants who are born before 37 weeks have a lower chance of living to adulthood. Those surviving have a significant risk of severe disabilities such as intellectual impairment, cerebral palsy, autism, and psychological development disorders.

Breast cancer

Abortion is considered to interrupt the normal cycle of hormones during pregnancy. It is believed that this interruption might increase the risk of developing breast cancer in women.

A 2013 analysis reported a 44% increased risk of breast cancer among women who had a minimum of one induced abortion. For those who had repeated abortions, the risk increased to 76% and 89%, respectively.

Mental health

Women who have had repeated abortions are at an increased risk for mental health problems. Nearly 10% of the incidence of mental health problems was due to abortion.

Some of the post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms such as grief, regret, guilt, suicidal thoughts, sadness and anxiety were seen among women who had an abortion.

STDs and pelvic inflammatory disease

Chlamydia present in the cervical canal during the abortion in asymptomatic women increases the risk of postabortal. Among women suffering from Chlamydia infection during the abortion, 23% develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) within four weeks.

PID can lead to serious problems like ectopic pregnancy, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and abscess formation.

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Abortion and sexual dysfunction

Some women also experience sexual dysfunction after abortion. Problems such as decreased sexual desire, increased vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and loss of orgasm ability are seen among women with early pregnancy termination.

Infertility and future childbearing

Induced abortion can result in complications such as damage to the uterus and infection, which can lead to infertility and increased risks of future childbearing.

The risk of these complications increases in women who have a high risk of uncontrolled high blood pressure, uterine rupture, diabetes, severe kidney, lung, or liver disease, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, smoke heavily and take blood thinners or certain steroid medications.

Cervical incompetence symptoms were seen among 75% of women who undergo forced dilation for abortion.

[Data Source]

The emotional phase

Women experience different emotions after an abortion. Some may feel relief that the procedure is over, while others may feel sad, empty, or guilty.

Some women have reported serious psychological effects such as depression, anxiety, grief, regret, flashbacks, substance abuse, and lower self-esteem after their abortion. These emotions may appear gradually over a long duration or immediately after an abortion. These feelings may reoccur after another abortion.

In such situations, counselling or support before and after is very important. Talking to a professional counsellor will help women better understand their decisions and the feelings they might experience after abortion.

Infano believes every woman, despite their age, sexuality, and demographics, should have complete rights over their body and decisions. If you are someone with a story to share, reach out to us — share it with us and the world. Let there be love and hope!

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It’s summer around the corner! And our sweat glands are going to be super active to keep us cool! It’s a fuss with the sweaty armpits during this season.

Deodorants are extensively used, especially to get away from those sweaty armpits during summers. A sizzling splash to refresh all of us, irrespective of the constituents used in them.

There have been several rumours surrounding the health effects and links between deodorants and breast cancer. Some of you must be worried that certain chemicals in antiperspirants and deodorants can be absorbed through the skin, especially after shaving.

So, should you worry about the deodorant or antiperspirant you are using?

What is the link between deodorant and cancer? Rolling a deodorant underarm after a shower or before stepping out has become commonplace. But how often do you worry about the constituents and associated health risks before spraying the splash of refreshment to keep you fresh throughout the day? Let’s find it out!

Is there a link between deodorants and breast cancer?

The results of the research are conflicting. But, one thing is for sure, there are no shreds of evidence supporting the scientific link between deodorants to breast cancer. Though there are studies about the possibilities.

One reason some scientists associate them together is that deodorants or antiperspirants are applied near underarms that are very close to breasts.

Are deodorants and antiperspirants safe?

The fact that many antiperspirants and deodorants contain extremely harmful constituents cannot be denied. Short and crisp, be careful while you use your deodorants and never overuse them. Preferably apply it on clothes and refrain from directly splashing it on your skin. Taking care of the usage, in general, is a good idea.

Parabens and aluminium based deodorants and antiperspirants have been active but concerning elements to researchers, but more concrete research and evidence are required to conclude the speculations. Aluminium found in many antiperspirants has led to concerns that it could be a contributing reason for increasing the risk factors.

And it has been found according to a study that a tiny fraction, 0.012% to be exact, was actually absorbed through the skin. For a substance to cause cancer, it should enter the body in high doses to lead to alarming situations. A tiny amount in roll-on just isn’t enough!

To really clear out your body from aluminium, it’s better to say goodbye to aluminium foil and cookware. In addition, FDA scientists have found no evidence that parabens used in cosmetics such as deodorants cause breast cancer.

Should I continue using it to stay refreshed?

Well, many brands claim 24-hour sweat and germ protection. But merely keeps us sweat-free. Isn’t it? You definitely have the answer. Do you need these chemicals to keep you fresh? Hope you got the answer! It can be considered as safe as other chemicals, including shower gel, soaps, moisturizers, and perfumes we use on our bodies. And remember not to use it if your skin develops allergic reactions.

While antiperspirants and deodorants are often linked to breast cancer, there is no conducive research supported with evidence. However, further study is required to find out a convincing link to draw any conclusion.

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This text is provided for information purposes only and is not aimed as an alternative to professional medical advice. Always take the advice of a health specialist if you have questions regarding your health or a medical condition.