A Gynaecologist, Dr Adaora Ukoh, says partial evacuation of the foetus from the womb during an abortion could increase the rate of infertility in women.
Ukoh, who works with a private Hospital in Abuja, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.
She said that abortions could be done in two ways; either through the use of medicines or via a surgical procedure.
The expert explained that abortion, itself, does not cause infertility in women; rather complications during the procedure put women at high risk of infertility.
According to her, studies have shown that there is a link between abortion and vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy which leads to complications that could result in infertility.
She explained that unsafe abortions could injure the cervix, causing a weakened cervix, which leads to premature opening of the cervix during future pregnancies, with associated foetal loss, thus contributing to infertility.
She added that, "Abortions could damage or leave a hole in the uterus, which might need surgery to correct for the woman to be able to conceive, thus increasing the risk of infertility."
"Inability to get pregnant due to infection or complication during an operation is also a factor associated with abortion."
She said that repeated abortions could cause damage to the cervix and increase the chances of late miscarriages.
She advised strict adherence to the use of antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor after an abortion. Ukoh said that this would help to reduce the risk of infection of the reproductive organs which, ultimately, caused infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
She warned against intercourse for about two weeks after abortion to enable the body to heal properly as well as prevent immediate conception during the healing period.
She also enjoined women to consult a specialist before undergoing any form of abortion in order to minimise complications.
NAN
NAN
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