The health effects of being denied an abortion

Women who sought abortions but could not get them because they were past the gestational age limit for the procedure later reported health issues at higher rates than women who obtained abortions, according to a new study that sought to get a glimpse at how abortion affected long-term health. Researchers surveyed 874 women — 328 who had a first-trimester abortion, 383 who had a second-trimester abortion, and 163 who gave birth — about a range of conditions, including chronic health issues, obesity, asthma, and more. After five years, the participants reported similar health results for most conditions, but women who were denied abortions had worse outcomes on a few, including chronic headaches and joint pain. The study, the authors say, counters arguments that abortion hurts a woman’s health. In a separate editorial, doctors said the study highlighted the connections between reproductive health and overall health.