QuestionI have endometriois and have for the pat 12 year with one surgery 9 years
ago. I have been on depro-provera and currently the pill for the past 12
years. I just found out that i am 7 weeks pregnant.....shocker. I am
contemplating an abortion and my concern is that it will make my
endometriosis worse and damage my reproductive organs more, i don't even
know how damaged they are at this point. I am 34, and i am worried i have an
abortion i might make myself sterile because of the endometriosis. Any help
would be appreciated, my doctor is not overly knowledgable in the
endometriosis area.....
AnswerDear Tracey,
Sorry for the late reply. I'd actually typed out a response the day I first received this question, but apparantly there was a blip in the system and it didn't get through. Anyway, I apologise for the delay. I hope you're feeling all right.
From several studies I have read, it seems that safe, uncomplicated abortion - even multiple abortions - have no effect on endometriosis. Abortions don't cause or exacerbate the condition. So if you would like to go ahead and have an abortion, worry about making your condition worse should not stop you.
However, endometriosis itself is associated with a very high rate of infertility. Given the circumstances, it is quite likely that you will not be able to become pregnant again (depending on the severity of your condition, of course). So keep that in mind: if you thought this was your last chance to have a baby, would you have it? Or do your objections to having a baby at this point overcome the possibility that you might have a hard time getting pregnant again?
I'm very sorry if the above paragraph seems to be discouraging you from having an abortion. I promised you that I wouldn't preach or judge or try to influence your decision, and I am not trying to do so. It just struck me that in your particular case, an abortion may not be the best way to go; because you clearly *want* to have children, and you may not get a chance in the future.
Anyway, you should definitely talk to your doctor about this, because I am not a medical professional, and you need a REAL expert's opinion and professional guidance in this matter.
Good luck on making your decision. Take care, and write again if you have any other questions.
