Common Myths About Abortion in Minnesota — Debunked

Abortion opponents often spread misinformation that creates fear and confusion. At Pro-Choice Minnesota, we know Minnesotans deserve the truth: abortion is healthcare. With access to accurate information, individuals can make informed choices for themselves and their families.

Below, we address five of the most common myths about abortion and the facts that set the record straight.

Myth 1: Abortion is more dangerous than childbirth.

Fact: Abortion is one of the safest medical procedures. In the U.S., childbirth is about 45 times riskier than abortion (Raymond & Grimes, 2012).

Myth 2: The abortion pill is unsafe.

Fact: Medication abortion is extremely safe and effective. Over 99% of patients have no serious complications (FDA, 2023). Attempts to portray it as dangerous use misleading data.

Myth 3: Abortion causes infertility or cancer.

Fact: Abortion does not cause infertility, breast cancer, or other long-term problems. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists confirms abortion does not increase risk of depression, breast cancer, or infertility (ACOG, 2021).

Myth 4: Most people regret their abortions.

Fact: Most people who have abortions do not regret their decision. The Turnaway Study found 95% said, even five years later, that it was the right choice (Rocca et al., 2020). Relief was more common than regret.

The Bottom Line

Abortion is safe. Abortion is healthcare. Minnesotans deserve access to truth—not fear or misinformation. When people are informed about the facts, they receive the respect and compassionate care they need during pregnancy decisions.

References

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Facts are important: Abortion does not increase women’s risk of depression, suicide or other mental health problems. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Mifepristone U.S. post-marketing adverse events summary. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/

• Kortsmit, K., et al. (2023). Abortion surveillance — United States, 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 72(4), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7204a1

• Raymond, E. G., & Grimes, D. A. (2012). The comparative safety of legal induced abortion and childbirth in the United States. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 119(2), 215–219. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e31823fe923

• Rocca, C. H., et al. (2020). Emotions and decision rightness over five years following an abortion: An examination of decision difficulty and abortion stigma. Social Science & Medicine, 248, 112704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112704