Abortion, according to experts, is one of the most misunderstood medical procedures - surrounded by persistent myths that create fear and confusion for women and families. Doctors say a lot of misinformation leads to delayed care or unsafe self-medication, and these risks are entirely preventable with proper medical guidance.
According to obstetricians and gynecologists, when performed using approved medical or surgical methods under qualified supervision, abortion is one of the safest healthcare procedures available. “Evidence shows that most women feel relief after a safe, voluntary, and supported decision, while emotional distress is more often linked to stigma, secrecy, or lack of support,” said Dr Malini RS, Consultant - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals.
According to Dr Malini, modern abortion care is designed to prioritize safety, dignity, and reproductive choice. “Women should feel empowered to seek accurate information rather than rely on hearsay or online myths. The safest path is always guided, legal, and medically supervised care,” she added.
Here are a few myths regarding abortion busted by our team of experts.
One of the most common fears is that abortion permanently damages the uterus or prevents future pregnancy. Doctors strongly refute this. “We know all this is not true because first, there is absolutely no scientific data backing these claims, second, it has actually been proved that abortion is one of the safest procedures (both medically and surgically),” said Dr Kavitha Kovi, Head of Department - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aster Women & Children Hospital.
Dr Kovi added that the real risk arises when women use unverified pills, delay treatment, or avoid medical consultation due to stigma.
Abortion is a completely safe practice if performed under medical supervision
Another widespread belief is that abortion is inherently unsafe. In reality, first-trimester abortions performed by trained providers have complication rates of less than 0.5%. Studies have shown that early abortion is significantly safer than childbirth in terms of medical risk. “The procedure uses mifepristone and misoprostol pills or quick abortion methods which remove pregnancy tissue through heavy period-like discharge that involves cramps,” said Dr Nikita Maan Singh, Consultant - Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Laparoscopic Surgery & Infertility, Rainbow Children’s Hospital. According to Dr Singh, safe abortion care involves:
It is widely assumed that abortion inevitably leads to severe mental health issues. However, large-scale studies show that most women report relief after making a safe, voluntary, and informed decision. Emotional distress, when it occurs, is more commonly linked to social stigma, secrecy, lack of support, or external pressure, not the medical procedure itself. Counselling and emotional support play an important role in ensuring psychological well-being.
Also read:HbA1c Test Under Scrutiny: Are Diabetes Readings Always Reliable?
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
