Can I get an Abortion if I have an STD?

If you think you might be pregnant and are considering having an abortion, there are a few steps you need to take prior to scheduling an abortion procedure.

First, no matter how many home tests you may or may not have taken, it is always recommended that you receive a medical grade pregnancy test to confirm results. Next, an ultrasound should be performed in order to visibly determine if there is an actual pregnancy, and if so, how far along you are. Finally, you should test to see if you have an STD as having an abortion procedure with an untreated STD can cause serious risks to your health.

What is an STD?

According to the CDC, “Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections or STIs…are passed for one person to another through sexual activity…”

Types of STDs may include:

-Hepatitis

-Gonorrhea

-Chlamydia

-Herpes

-HIV/AIDS

-Human Papillomavirs (HPV)

Unfortunately, it can be hard to know if you have an STD without being tested. Often times, people with these diseases/infections experience mild symptoms or sometimes no symptoms at all. In fact, the CDC states that“it is possible to have an infection and not know it.”

Even if you have been tested and your test results were clear or you are currently receiving treatment for an active STD, it is recommended that you receive new, full panel testing to ensure your results are most up to date.

Full panel testing makes sure you’re tested for all STDs, while some STD testing is limited to testing for only two to three STDs. For the benefit and safety of your health, you should seek to find a provider that offers full panel STD testing.

What are the risks?

It is important to know if you have an STD prior to having an abortion. Having a surgical procedure could cause the disease to spread inside your body, causing an even more serious infection. Think of it this way- if you have an untreated infection, instruments are passing through the area where the infection is and then they are being inserted into your body, the infection could spread and worsen. Before making a decision, it is important you learn all of the facts so you know the potential risks and side effects. You deserve to have your questions answered. If your health could be at risk, you need to know.

Some of the risks that an untreated STD poses on pregnant women include: