Evidence-Based Answers for Maryland Patients

Published by the Clinical Team at Femi-Care Surgery Center | February 2026 | 8 min read

One of the most common questions patients ask before scheduling care at an abortion clinic in Maryland is whether the procedure will affect their ability to become pregnant in the future. It’s a completely understandable concern – and one that medical research has studied extensively for decades. The evidence is clear, and understanding it can help you make an informed decision based on facts rather than fear.

Short Answer For most patients, abortion does not affect future fertility when performed in a licensed medical setting. Both medication abortion and procedural abortion are considered safe and do not increase the risk of infertility. This is the consistent finding of major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Why This Question Matters

Many patients worry that ending a pregnancy could make it harder to become pregnant in the future. This concern is common and completely valid – particularly given the volume of misinformation that circulates online about abortion and its long-term effects.

If you are worried about your future fertility, you are not alone. The reality is that decades of peer-reviewed research consistently show that abortion does not cause infertility when provided by trained clinicians in a regulated medical facility. Fertility is far more commonly affected by age, hormonal conditions, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease unrelated to abortion – not by the procedure itself.

At Femi-Care Surgery Center, abortion care is provided in a licensed surgical center with real-time ultrasound guidance and individualized follow-up care, which further reduces the already low risk of complications.

Medication Abortion and Future Fertility

Medication abortion – often called the abortion pill – uses two medications (mifepristone and misoprostol) to safely end an early pregnancy, typically up to 12 weeks from the last menstrual period.

Research published in peer-reviewed obstetric literature confirms that medication abortion:

• Does not damage the uterus or uterine lining
• Does not affect ovarian function or egg reserve
• Does not reduce the chances of future conception
• Does not increase the risk of pregnancy complications in subsequent pregnancies

After a medication abortion, ovulation can return as soon as 2–3 weeks. That means pregnancy is biologically possible again shortly after the process is complete – which is why contraception counseling is a standard part of follow-up care at Femi-Care Surgery Center.

Procedural Abortion and Future Fertility

Procedural abortion – sometimes called surgical abortion, uterine aspiration or dilation and evacuation (D&E) – is performed in a medical setting using gentle, controlled techniques. The type of procedure varies based on gestational age.

When performed by experienced clinicians using modern methods:

• The uterus heals quickly with minimal disruption
• The risk of uterine scarring is extremely low
• Long-term fertility is preserved in the overwhelming majority of patients
• Subsequent pregnancies are not adversely affected

It’s important to understand that current abortion techniques use ultrasound guidance and controlled suction – not the older sharp curettage methods that patients sometimes read about from outdated sources online. The risk profile of modern procedural abortion is significantly lower than many patients expect.

Second-Trimester Procedures and Fertility

A Note on Later Procedures Femi-Care Surgery Center provides abortion care through 23 weeks of pregnancy – serving patients who may not have access to this level of care elsewhere in the Baltimore metro area.

For patients undergoing procedures in the second trimester – including those we provide through 23 weeks – the evidence similarly shows no meaningful impact on future fertility when care is delivered by experienced clinicians in an accredited surgical facility.

Our team uses continuous ultrasound guidance throughout all procedures, including advanced gestational age D&E. This real-time imaging allows for precise instrument placement, minimizes tissue disruption, and provides an additional layer of safety that reduces the risk of the rare complications that could theoretically affect fertility.

Patients who require later care – whether due to fetal diagnosis, health complications, gestational dating, or access delays – deserve the same standard of excellence as those seeking earlier procedures. The evidence supports that they can also expect the same favorable fertility outcomes.

When Could Fertility Be Affected?

Serious complications after abortion are rare, but like any medical procedure, risks do exist. It is honest and important to address these directly.

Fertility could potentially be affected if:

• A severe, untreated infection develops after the procedure
• Significant uterine injury occurs – this is rare in licensed surgical centers
• Retained tissue is not properly identified and managed

These complications are uncommon, and they are substantially less likely when care is sought at a regulated medical facility with structured pre-operative care with antibiotics and follow-up support. Femi-Care Surgery Center provides 24/7 after-hours access and a documented follow-up protocol for all patients.

Seeking abortion care in a licensed surgical center – rather than through unregulated or self-managed means – is one of the most meaningful steps a patient can take to protect their long-term reproductive health.

How Soon Can You Get Pregnant After an Abortion?

Fertility returns quickly after abortion. This is medically important to understand, and it sometimes surprises patients.

Fertility Timeline • Ovulation may return within 2–3 weeks of the abortion • Pregnancy is possible before the next menstrual period arrives • Contraception can be started immediately in most cases • No required waiting period before trying to conceive (unless your provider advises otherwise)

If you are planning a future pregnancy, most clinicians recommend waiting until you feel physically and emotionally ready. Medically, there is typically no required delay. Your provider can advise you based on your specific clinical circumstances.

How Does Abortion Compare to Childbirth in Terms of Safety?

For early pregnancy, abortion is statistically safer than childbirth. Research published in peer-reviewed obstetric literature – and cited by ACOG – consistently shows that complication rates for legal abortion performed in a licensed facility are lower than those associated with carrying a pregnancy to term.

This is not a political statement. It is a medical and statistical fact that helps patients make genuinely informed decisions based on evidence, rather than on fear-based messaging.

What Medical Research and Major Organizations Confirm

The following major medical and public health organizations have reviewed the available evidence and consistently confirm that abortion does not increase the risk of infertility:

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
• The Society of Family Planning

Their guidance is based on large-scale, long-term studies across diverse patient populations. Infertility is far more commonly linked to age, hormonal conditions, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or pelvic inflammatory disease that is unrelated to abortion.

Who Should Discuss Preconception Health With a Provider?

While the evidence strongly supports that abortion does not cause infertility, some patients have individual circumstances that make a preconception consultation worthwhile before trying to conceive. You may benefit from discussing your reproductive goals with a provider if you have:

• A history of prior uterine surgery or multiple uterine procedures
• A history of pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted infections
• Irregular menstrual cycles or known hormonal conditions
• Medical conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS, or autoimmune disorders
• Concerns about fertility that predate the abortion

Our clinical team at Femi-Care Surgery Center can review your medical history and help you understand what, if anything, may be relevant to your individual reproductive goals. Every patient’s situation is different, and individualized care is central to what we do.

Thinking About Your Future Fertility? If you have specific concerns about your reproductive history or are planning a future pregnancy, our clinical team is here to help. We offer confidential consultations at our Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland facility – and same-day appointments are often available. Call us: (443) 394-0520 Schedule online: https://femicarehealth.com/request-an-appointment/

Why Choosing a Licensed Medical Setting Matters

The safety of any medical procedure – and the protection of long-term reproductive health – depends on the quality of the clinical environment. At Femi-Care Surgery Center in Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland, patients receive:

• Care from trained, experienced clinicians in an accredited surgical facility
• Real-time ultrasound guidance for all procedures
• Sterile technique and proper equipment throughout
• Clear, individualized discharge and follow-up instructions
• 24/7 after-hours medical support
• Abortion care through 23 weeks for patients who need it

We serve patients from Baltimore, Towson, Timonium, and throughout Maryland, as well as those traveling from neighboring and out-of-state locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does abortion cause infertility?

No. Abortion does not cause infertility when performed in a licensed medical setting by trained clinicians. This is the consistent finding of major medical organizations including ACOG and WHO, supported by decades of research.

Q: Can abortion damage the uterus?

Serious uterine injury is rare. Modern procedural abortion techniques use ultrasound guidance and controlled suction – significantly reducing the risk of tissue damage compared to older methods. The risk is further minimized in accredited surgical facilities with experienced providers.

Q: Does second-trimester abortion affect fertility more than early abortion?

The evidence does not support that second-trimester abortion carries meaningfully greater fertility risk than early procedures when performed by experienced clinicians in a licensed facility. Ultrasound guidance and proper technique are the key safety factors at any gestational age.

Q: How long should I wait before trying to conceive after an abortion?

There is typically no required medical waiting period unless your provider advises otherwise based on your individual circumstances. Many patients can begin trying to conceive whenever they feel physically and emotionally ready.

Q: Can I get pregnant immediately after an abortion?

Yes. Ovulation may return within 2–3 weeks of the abortion, meaning pregnancy is biologically possible before your next menstrual period. This is why contraception counseling is provided at your appointment.

Q: What causes infertility if not abortion?

Infertility is far more commonly linked to age, hormonal conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or structural factors unrelated to abortion history.

Questions About Your Reproductive Goals? Our clinical team at Femi-Care Surgery Center in Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland provides individualized care for patients at every gestational age – through 23 weeks. If you’d like to discuss your specific medical history, understand your options, or talk through your future family planning goals, we are here to help – without judgment. Call us: (443) 394-0520 Schedule online: https://femicarehealth.com/request-an-appointment/ Confidential appointments available. Same-day scheduling often available.