Abortion and STDs
We inform, you decide.
Untreated STD + Abortion = Serious Health Risk
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) pose a serious risk to a woman’s future reproductive and overall health, especially if left untreated. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in the United States, 1 out of 4 women between the ages of 14 and 19 is infected with at least one STD.
Any abortion procedure (including a medical abortion) increases the risk of bacteria from outside a woman’s body or from the vagina being carried into her cervix. STD testing and treatment is particularly important before an abortion because Chlamydia, the most common STD in the US, is rarely symptomatic. Two high-quality studies have demonstrated that 70-95% of women and 90% of men who have Chlamydia don’t realize that they have it.1 Women who have an untreated STD (like chlamydia or gonorrhea) are up to 23% more likely to develop Pelvic Inflamatory Disease (PID) following an abortion procedure.2
If you’re pregnant and considering abortion, schedule your free pre-termination evaluation today and receive STD testing and treatment to protect your future reproductive health.
Medically Reviewed By:
NURSE TEAM LEADER, ROCHESTER
TAMARA M., BSN, RN
1 Farley TA, Cohen DA, Elkins W. Asymptomatic sexually transmitted diseases: the case for screening. Preventive medicine 2003;36:502-9; Korenromp EL, Sudaryo MK, de Vlas SJ, et al. What proportion of episodes of gonorrhoea and chlamydia becomes symptomatic? International journal of STD & AIDS 2002;13:91-101. See: Chlamydia – CDC Fact Sheet (Detailed)
2 Westergaard L, Phillipsen T, Scheibel J (1982). “Significance of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease.” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 68(5): 668-90; Ovigstad E, et al. (1983). “Pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection after therapeutic abortion.” Br J Vener Dis, 59: 189-92; Heisterberg L, et al. (1987). “The role of vaginal secretory immunoglobulin a, gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobes, and Chlamydia trachomatis in post abortal pelvic inflammatory disease.” Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 66(2): 99-102.