Myths vs. Facts – Understanding the Realities of Abortion in America Post-Roe
Abortion has long been a topic clouded by misinformation and politicized narratives, and since the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, myths surrounding abortion have only intensified. These misconceptions impact both public opinion and policy, influencing real-life health outcomes, legal battles, and systemic inequalities. This blog aims to dispel some of the most common myths, shedding light on the realities of abortion care, its safety, and its importance in women’s healthcare.
Myth 1: “Abortion is dangerous and increases health risks for women.”
Fact: Abortion is statistically safer than childbirth and carries minimal health risks, especially when performed by qualified medical professionals.
Abortion is one of the safest medical procedures available. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the risk of major complications from abortion is less than 0.3%, while the risk of death from childbirth is about 14 times higher than that of a legal abortion. Studies from the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirm that complications in first-trimester abortions are extremely rare, and most adverse health outcomes are preventable with access to safe, legal care.
Real-Life Consequence: With restrictive abortion laws, women face delays and barriers to safe care, leading to increased health risks. In states with stringent abortion bans, women have reported being denied treatment for life-threatening conditions such as ectopic pregnancies, as doctors fear prosecution. The risk of complications rises when safe abortion options are restricted, forcing women into potentially dangerous situations.
Myth 2: “Most women regret having an abortion.”
Fact: The majority of women who have abortions do not regret their decision, even years later.
Studies, including a comprehensive 2020 study published in Social Science & Medicine, found that over 95% of women felt that abortion was the right decision for them even five years after the procedure. Feelings of relief are the most common emotional response, with only a small percentage of women reporting feelings of regret. The Turnaway Study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, followed women who sought abortions and found that most women experience positive or neutral emotions rather than regret.
Real-Life Consequence: The idea that women regret abortion fuels stigma and can lead to restrictive laws framed as “protecting” women from making a regrettable decision. This myth has even influenced policies requiring mandatory waiting periods and counseling, which often serve only to delay and complicate access to abortion, rather than genuinely supporting women's mental health.
Myth 3: “Abortion leads to mental health issues.”
Fact: There is no causal link between abortion and long-term mental health problems.
The American Psychological Association (APA) has found that the likelihood of mental health issues following an abortion is no higher than that of carrying an unintended pregnancy to term. In fact, carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term is more likely to lead to mental health challenges, as it often results in stress related to financial, emotional, and physical factors. The Turnaway Study also found that women who were denied abortions experienced higher levels of anxiety and lower self-esteem than those who received the care they sought.
Real-Life Consequence: The assumption that abortion harms mental health has been used to justify restrictive laws like mandatory counseling and waiting periods. These policies often fail to address the actual mental health needs of women and instead create additional hurdles for women seeking timely care.
Myth 4: “Abortion bans reduce the number of abortions.”
Fact: Abortion restrictions do not eliminate abortions; they push them underground or drive women to seek abortions out of state.
Research from the Guttmacher Institute shows that countries with strict abortion laws do not necessarily have lower abortion rates. Instead, abortion rates are similar, but a higher proportion of procedures occur under unsafe conditions. Even in the U.S., states with restrictive abortion laws see a surge in "abortion trafficking," where women are forced to travel across state lines, incurring additional financial and emotional burdens to access safe care.
Real-Life Consequence: Women in restrictive states face logistical and financial barriers, forcing some to delay the procedure or resort to unsafe means. This results in greater health risks and an increase in healthcare disparities, as low-income women are often unable to afford travel and safe abortion options.
Myth 5: “Abortion is used as birth control.”
Fact: Abortion is not commonly used as a primary method of birth control; it is a last resort for those facing unwanted or unsafe pregnancies.
The majority of people seeking abortions have been using some form of contraception but may have experienced contraceptive failure, financial instability, or health complications. According to the Guttmacher Institute, nearly half of women who seek abortions were using contraception in the month they became pregnant. This data underscores that abortion is rarely a first-choice method, but rather a necessary option when other preventive methods have failed.
Real-Life Consequence: This misconception perpetuates the belief that women who seek abortions are irresponsible, which is far from the truth. Such judgments have influenced policies that restrict abortion access even in medically complex cases or for survivors of assault, framing abortion as a “convenience” rather than a critical component of reproductive healthcare.
Myth 6: “Abortion causes infertility.”
Fact: Abortion, particularly in the first trimester, does not increase the risk of infertility or future pregnancy complications.
Medical research, including findings from the World Health Organization (WHO) and ACOG, demonstrates that legal abortion, especially when performed in a clinical setting, does not affect future fertility. Most abortions in the U.S. occur during the first trimester, when the risk of complications is extremely low. There is no scientific evidence linking abortion to future infertility or complications in subsequent pregnancies.
Real-Life Consequence: This myth has led to fear and confusion, causing some women to forgo needed abortions due to misinformation about long-term health impacts. In states with restrictive abortion laws, misinformation like this is sometimes included in mandatory counseling, influencing women’s decisions based on inaccuracies rather than facts.
Myth 7: “Late-term abortions are common and performed on a whim.”
Fact: Abortions in the third trimester are exceedingly rare and almost always involve severe fetal abnormalities or risks to the mother’s life.
Third-trimester abortions account for less than 1% of all abortions in the U.S., and they are typically performed only in cases of significant health risks or severe fetal anomalies. These procedures are complex, involve extensive medical consultation, and are undertaken with careful consideration of all options. The term “late-term abortion” is often misused in political rhetoric, creating a false narrative around these rare and highly personal decisions.
Real-Life Consequence: This myth has fueled graphic political campaigns and public misunderstanding, leading to the passage of restrictive abortion laws with no exceptions for medical emergencies. Families faced with heartbreaking fetal diagnoses are forced to carry pregnancies to term, enduring emotional and physical trauma due to political interference in medical decisions.
Myth 8: “Abortion is easily accessible in the U.S.”
Fact: Access to abortion varies dramatically by state, and many areas have become “abortion deserts” with few to no providers.
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, numerous states have imposed strict abortion bans or limitations, leaving millions of women with limited options. According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, many states now have only one clinic (or none) offering abortion services. For women in rural areas or restrictive states, accessing abortion requires traveling hundreds of miles, taking time off work, and navigating numerous legal and financial barriers.
Real-Life Consequence: This limited access creates severe inequalities, as only those with financial means can afford to travel for care. Women in “abortion deserts” are often forced to delay care, leading to greater health risks, economic strain, and personal trauma.
Conclusion: Understanding the Realities and Risks of Abortion Bans
The prevalence of abortion myths has fueled a legal and social landscape that marginalizes, endangers, and stigmatizes women seeking reproductive healthcare. It’s crucial to combat misinformation with factual, evidence-based education to inform policy and public perception. Reproductive rights are an essential component of healthcare, impacting everything from maternal mortality rates to economic stability. Recognizing and dismantling abortion myths is the first step toward creating compassionate, informed policies that prioritize health, dignity, and autonomy.
Sources
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - “Induced Abortion and Mental Health” (https://acog.org)
Guttmacher Institute - “State Facts About Abortion: The Impact of Roe Reversal” (https://guttmacher.org)
National Institutes of Health (NIH) - “Mental Health Outcomes Post-Abortion” (https://nih.gov)
Turnaway Study - University of California, San Francisco (https://ansirh.org/research/turnaway-study)
World Health Organization (WHO) - “Abortion Safety and Health” (https://who.int)
NPR - “Delayed Emergency Care Under Abortion Bans” (https://npr.org)
New York Times - “The Growing Obstetrics and Gynecology Brain Drain in Restrictive States” (https://nytimes.com)
Amnesty International - “Maternal Health and Reproductive Rights” (https://amnesty.org)
Center for Reproductive Rights - “Abortion Access in America Post-Roe” (https://reproductiverights.org)
