Birth Control & Fertility

The Abortion Care Network knows that women and men want to prevent unintended pregnancies if possible and protect their future fertility. ACN clinics will offer you birth control information and methods to start soon after your abortion.

 

There are many different kinds of birth control, some more effective than others. Usually you can find a birth control method that is effective, safe, and does not cause you side effects. Hormonal methods (like the pill, shot, patch or ring) are very effective and usually well tolerated. The IUD is as effective as a tubal ligation or vasectomy (female or male sterilizations), if you meet the criteria for use. Barrier methods—those that prevent sperm from getting to the egg—condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, spermicide-- are somewhat less effective but still helpful for some people and as a back-up for other methods. Condoms are the only method that offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections (STI’s or STD’s) including HIV/AIDS.

 

Abortions are not associated with infertility in later pregnancies, unless there was a rare complication or infection. The major factor in not being able to conceive is infections due to sexually transmitted diseases that create scar tissue in the tubes and don’t let the egg drop down into the uterus. Age is a factor for women starting at about age 30, although many women have pregnancies successfully after this age.

Infertility is defined as being unable to get pregnant while trying, without birth control, for one year. Family planning clinics can do an initial infertility workup for women and men at affordable rates. An infertility specialist will be able to do additional testing. If you have had an abortion it is important to tell your doctor, so that he/she knows you were able to get pregnant at some point. Female and male factors are about equal in causing infertility so be sure your male partner is also tested.

For more information:

The Abortion Clinic Directory has up-to-date and extensive information on each method of birth control. This site also houses the ACP Abortion Clinic Directory.

The Pregnancy Options Workbook has a section on birth control as well as sections on Protecting your Fertility and sexually transmitted infections. Also further references and links in these areas. Created by ACN members.

ChoiceLinks This site takes you to accurate unbiased sites that offer information on these topics.

Are you IN THE KNOW? Guttmacher Institute has a section of its website that offers factual information about abortion, contraception, sexuality.