In Rivers State, many women quietly turn to abortion pills to end unwanted pregnancies, often without medical guidance. While these medications can be safe when properly used, prolonged or improper use carries serious health risks.
Misuse can lead to incomplete abortions, severe bleeding, infection, infertility, and even death. Experts warn that repeated self-medication with these pills increases the chances of long-term reproductive damage. Mental and emotional stress also often goes unaddressed.
Hospitals across the state report many admissions linked to complications from unsafe abortions, highlighting a public health challenge that remains largely hidden.
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The Risks of Misuse and Prolonged Use
- Incomplete or Improper Termination
When pills are taken incorrectly — too late in pregnancy, in the wrong dosage, or without professional supervision — the abortion might be incomplete. This can leave retained tissue, leading to heavy bleeding or infection. - Excessive Bleeding and Hemorrhage
Heavy or prolonged bleeding is one of the most common complications reported among women who self-manage abortions with pills. Severe bleeding can be life‑threatening and may require emergency treatment, including blood transfusions. - Infection and Sepsis
Incomplete abortions or unsafe administration can introduce bacteria into the womb, leading to pelvic infection, sepsis, fever, and potentially death if untreated. Nigerian hospital reviews have shown that a high proportion of women admitted for abortion complications present severe infection and fever. - Infertility and Reproductive Damage
Repeated unsafe abortion attempts, especially outside clinical supervision, increase the likelihood of scar tissue formation, chronic pelvic inflammation, and long-term infertility. Surveys and field studies show a noticeable proportion of women experiencing post-abortion complications including future reproductive issues. - Mental and Emotional Impact
Beyond physical harm, many women struggle silently with emotional stress, stigma, and trauma. When treatment or counselling is inaccessible, these psychological consequences often go unaddressed.
Nigeria records hundreds of thousands of induced abortions every year, and unsafe procedures are a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Models estimate that unsafe abortion contributes substantially to the country’s high maternal death rates — possibly tens of thousands of preventable deaths annually.
