ISSN 0300-9092 (Print)
ISSN 2412-5679 (Online)

The impact of abortions on women’s health

Dolgushina N.V., Ermakova D.M., Sheshko E.L.

1) Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia; 2) Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare, Moscow, Russia

The objective of the review was to systematize the literature data on the impact of abortions on women’s health. The paper provides the conclusions that abortions have many negative effects; they cause both early and long-term complications, increasing the risks of gynecological and somatic diseases, obstetric and perinatal complications in subsequent pregnancies. Early pregnancy complications include bleeding, uterine perforation, amniotic fluid embolism, thromboembolic, infectious and inflammatory complications. The long-term consequences of abortions refer to gynecological diseases, infertility, obstetric complications in subsequent pregnancies (gestational diabetes, placenta previa, cervical incompetence, premature birth, bleeding, low birth weight), oncological and cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders. Measures aimed at preventing abortions and supporting women in their reproductive choices are important steps to protect women’s general and reproductive health, and as a result, improve the demographic situation.
Conclusion: In recent years, a large number of measures have been taken in the Russian Federation to reduce the number of induced abortions. Clinical guidelines and standards have been approved, and interactive educational modules on psychological pre-abortion counseling have been implemented. Speech modules for communicating with women in situations of reproductive choice have also been introduced into the work of medical organizations. Motivational surveys are conducted as part of a program to provide individual recommendations and support measures for women in such situations.

Authors’ contributions: Dolgushina N.V., Ermakova D.M., Sheshko E.L. – developing the concept and design of the study, collecting and processing the material, writing the text, editing.
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare lack of the possible conflicts of interest.
Funding: The study was conducted without sponsorship.
For citation: Dolgushina N.V., Ermakova D.M., Sheshko E.L. The impact of abortions on women’s health.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2025; (7): 5-11 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.129

Keywords

abortions
early complications
late complications
women’s reproductive health
prevention

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Received 14.05.2025

Accepted 23.06.2025

About the Authors

Nataliya V. Dolgushina, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Deputy Director for Scientific Work, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4 Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia, n_dolgushina@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1116-138X
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1116-138X
Daria M. Ermakova, PhD, Researcher, obstetrician-gynecologist, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4 Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia, +7(906)555-79-97, daria.ermakova.97@bk.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8558-4687
Elena L. Sheshko, PhD, Deputy Head, Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.

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