Debunking abortion myths: 8 you might be aware of (and the truth!)

Even in 2025, the topic of abortion comes with a great deal of misinformation. This not only makes it difficult to talk about, but it can lead to confusion for people seeking help or guidance. Recent stories in the news - not to mention some pretty drastic proposed law changes overseas - haven’t made this any easier.

At Abortion Talk, we’re not only committed to destigmatising abortion for everyone, we also want to help people find the right information. So we’re here to highlight some of the most common myths surrounding abortion (which you might be aware of!) and the truth behind them.

Abortion myth 1: Abortion is a taboo subject because it’s not common

Statistics show that one in three women will have an abortion at some point in their lives. That’s over 30 in a room of 100 people. Abortion is and always has been a common part of healthcare for women and people with uteruses, however the stigma around the topic can lead us to believe that it’s not a common practice, generating more negativity around the subject.

Many people who have had or will have abortions find it difficult to talk about their experiences, due to the possibility of being judged or even shamed. The reality is that many of the people they will avoid confiding in may have their own abortion story. This doesn’t mean you have to talk to anyone about your experience if you don’t feel ready, but it may help you to feel more comfortable knowing that you are not alone.

Abortion myth 2: People who have or seek abortions are careless or have been careless with their sexual activity

We’d all like our contraceptive options to be 100% effective and never have to worry about the possibility of unplanned pregnancy, but the truth is that nothing is totally reliable. It’s estimated that almost 50% of pregnancies in the UK are unplanned, and it’s not only unfair but inaccurate to assume that this happens because people aren’t taking responsibility for their sexual health.

Barrier methods of contraception (where something is placed over a penis or vulva before sexual activity) are up to 99% effective (condoms for penises) or 95% (condoms for vulvas), however this is only if they are used perfectly, which in many situations can be difficult - or unrealistic. Options such as the pill, the contraceptive injection or implant, are also only up to 99% effective if used correctly.

For lots of reasons, the effectiveness of any method of contraception can drop to below 80%, which means that unplanned pregnancies can and will happen. It’s also important to note that for many people, the methods of contraception available are not suitable, due to painful or unpleasant side effects, or even interaction with other medicines. An unplanned pregnancy can happen under any circumstances and does not mean a person hasn’t been responsible. It also means that, if that person does not want to be pregnant, they are allowed to receive the help and guidance they need to end the pregnancy on their own terms.

Abortion myth 3: abortion is a dangerous procedure

If unregulated, or performed by someone without the correct training, any medical procedure can be dangerous. This is what can often happen in places where abortion is either illegal or strictly controlled. In reality, abortion is an extremely safe procedure when overseen by a medical professional.

For people who choose a medical abortion (which is done by taking tablets), in many cases they can take the tablets at home. For a surgical abortion, performed by a regulated abortion provider, people can usually go home shortly after the procedure. Abortion providers will also provide before and after care to ensure that people are feeling well and healthy, and to help answer any questions or address doubts.

Making abortion legal worldwide will not necessarily lead to more or less abortions. What it will do is enable safe, correct and timely procedures, reduce the possibility of dangerous, unregulated procedures, and keep people healthy on a physical and emotional level.

Abortion myth 4: if you have an abortion, it could affect your chances to have children in the future

People often worry that having abortions may impact them if they wish to become parents in the future and that the procedure may lead to infertility or difficulty conceiving. There is actually no medical evidence of this - in fact, it is possible to become pregnant again as quickly as two weeks after an abortion. Many people who have had abortions in the past go on to become parents with no complications, if that is what they want.

Abortion myth 5: you shouldn’t have more than one abortion

Another topic which people find difficult is having more than one abortion. They again worry that the procedures could impact their fertility, or that they will be judged by healthcare providers for having to come for another procedure.

As we’ve already seen, unplanned pregnancies happen a lot. They are simply a part of life and something that can happen in all kinds of circumstances. If you’ve had an abortion or abortions in the past and are considering another one, you can feel safe in the knowledge that the procedure is still safe and will not impact your fertility if you want to be a parent in the future. In fact, over 40% of people who have abortions have already had at least one in the past, which shows that it is possible to become pregnant again afterwards.

You also do not deserve to be judged for having more than one abortion - you haven’t messed up, you are making the right decision for you at that moment, which takes a huge amount of courage.

Abortion myth 6: people can tell if you’ve had an abortion

We already know that abortion is incredibly common. Although one in three people will have an abortion, it’s impossible for us to know who those people are just by looking at them. You may be surprised by how many people in your family or friendship groups have had an abortion experience. 

Talking about our own experiences - if we feel comfortable and ready to - can help us to realise that we’re not alone and so many people share our story. It can sometimes be difficult to find those people in our personal circles, however. That’s why support such as Abortion Talk’s free, confidential talkline exists, to ensure that people always have a place to turn.

Abortion myth 7: only young people have abortions

We might think that unplanned pregnancies only happen to people who are younger, and therefore perhaps less experienced, or with less knowledge and support around sexual health. The fact is, people of all reproductive ages have abortions. Over half of these people are already parents (which we can assume includes people in their teens, twenties, thirties and forties!).

Although it is true that the abortion rate in the UK is generally higher in people in their 20s, across the different age groups in which people can become pregnant, abortion can and does happen, and age or experience often has nothing to do with it.

Abortion myth 8: educating young people about abortion will lead them to have more “risky” sex, or engage in behaviours that could lead to unplanned pregnancy

As we’ve discussed in a previous post, educating young people about sex (including the topic of abortion) actually helps them make more informed choices, be aware of their sexual health, and know what to do if they do face an unplanned pregnancy in the future. Understanding abortion is part of reproductive healthcare and if young people are made aware of the options available to them, they will be able to make empowered, informed decisions on their own terms - as well as being able to talk about the topic.

There are so many more myths surrounding abortion and it can be difficult to sort the facts from the fiction. If you are struggling, Talkline (Abortion Talk’s free and confidential phone and webchat service) is available for you four nights a week, whether you are looking for information, or you just want to talk. 

Beth is a teacher, communications manager, support worker, and trainee counsellor based between the UK and Spain. She completed a Master's in Psychology from the Open University in 2023, focusing her final work on sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. She recently completed a specialisation in human sexuality from the Universidad Vitoria-Gasteiz and is planning to complete her Level 4 Counselling this year, in order to further support individuals in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing. 

Beth has volunteered with Abortion Talk since January and is also a volunteer support worker for the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Service based in South Bucks.