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Common Myths About Abortion: Debunking Misinformation

Updated: Apr 15



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The internet is an interesting place–where someone can learn how to perfectly scramble an egg, diagnose yourself with seventeen different illnesses in under ten minutes, and, unfortunately, stumble upon some of the wildest misinformation about abortion known to humankind. If you've ever gone down a rabbit hole of questionable sources with the weirdest names, you've probably seen claims that range from mildly misleading to completely unhinged. So, let's clear some things up. 


Myth #1: Abortion is ALWAYS Dangerous 

Ah yes, the classic "abortion is a life-threatening procedure" myth, often spread by people who have never looked at or engaged with actual medical data. The truth? Abortion is one of the safest medical procedures out there–it's considered safer than giving birth and getting your wisdom teeth out. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), complications from abortion are rare, and the risk of death from childbirth is 14 times higher than from legal abortion. But sure, let's keep acting like it's an episode of Grey's Anatomy where everything that can go wrong will go wrong. 


Myth #2: People Regret Their Abortions 

This one's a fan favorite, usually accompanied by dramatic music and some teary confessionals in anti-abortion movies. However, here's the reality: having an abortion doesn't automatically come with instant regret you'll have to live with for the rest of your life. According to UCSF's Turnaway Study, more than 95 percent of people who chose to have abortions reported that it was the right decision for them when interviewed over the next five years. And while we're talking about myths, they also found no evidence of mental health problems among study participants following an abortion. Regret happens in all areas of life (looking at you, the tight jeans from the 2010s that should most definitely not make a comeback), but when it comes to abortion, the overwhelming majority feel they made the right decision for themselves. 


Myth #3: Abortion is Illegal Now Because of Dobbs

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) did overturn Roe v. Wade, but that didn't necessarily make abortion instantly illegal everywhere–though some lawmakers certainly wish it had. Instead, the ruling kicked the decision back to the states, leading to a chaotic patchwork of abortion laws. Some states protect abortion rights, while others have rushed to ban it faster than a bad take gets rationed on Twitter. The moral of the story: check your state's laws, not just your weird uncle's Facebook post. 


Myth #4: Abortion is Used as Birth Control 

Anti-choice rhetoric loves to paint pictures of people getting an abortion every other weekend like it's some kind of punch card at a coffee shop. In reality, most people who get abortions were already using some form of contraception–because life (and birth control) is not 100% foolproof. Sometimes, contraception fails. Sometimes, people don't have access to it in the first place (thanks to the same folks trying to ban abortion). Either way, the idea that people are casually using abortion is about as realistic as a Hallmark Christmas movie plot. 


Myth #5: Only Irresponsible People Get Abortions

This one needs to be retired immediately. People from all walks of life–parents, students, professionals, people with strong family values, and even individuals who often vote for the very politicians trying to ban it. In fact, the Turnaway study found that 60% of people who were getting abortions were already parents. 


Myth #6: Banning Abortion Stops It from Happening 

If history (or basic common sense) has taught us anything, it's that banning abortion doesn't magically stop people from needing abortions–it just makes them harder and more dangerous to get. Texas is the perfect example of this. After SB 8, people in need of abortions were forced to travel hundreds of miles, delay care, or turn to unsafe methods. The same pattern has played out across the globe–countries with strict abortion bans still have abortions happening, just in less safe conditions. 


Here's the thing–misinformation doesn't exist in a vacuum. It influences laws, policies, and public opinion. The myths we've debunked are the same ones politicians use to justify restrictive laws, deny funding for reproductive healthcare, and push for bans that disproportionately hurt marginalized communities. Understanding the truth about abortion isn't just about correcting bad takes–it's about making sure that policy decisions are based on facts, not fear-mongering. 


Misinformation about abortion thrives because it's convenient, emotional, and often backed by people with an agenda. But facts matter. Next time you see a wild claim about abortion, ask yourself: Is this coming from a credible source, or did Karen from high school share a link? The choice is yours; choose wisely. 







Sources: 


Adesomo, A. (2024, February 20). Pregnancy is far more dangerous than abortion. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/pregnancy-is-far-more-dangerous-to-women-than-abortion/ 




 
 
 

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