Reader's Dilemma
I had an abortion sometime in 2010 because I was not ready to have a baby.
I have been trying to conceive for the last eight months without success. Could the abortion have affected my ability to get pregnant?
I am not on any contraceptives, or any form of protection but desparate for a child. Cindy
Doctor's Advice
Dear Cindy,
Medically for you to be described as having infertility, you must have been engaging in regular unprotected vaginal sexual intercourse without the use of contraception, at a frequency of at least three times per week for a period of 12 months without conceiving.
You have done only eight months. Nevertheless, since you are keen and getting concerned, I advise you to visit your gynaecologist with your partner. The doctor will take a detailed history, conduct a physical examination and carry out certain laboratory test on you and your partner then advise as appropriate.
Infertility is not always a woman’s problem. Both women and men can have problems that cause infertility. Assuming the abortion was carried out by a skilled professional in a clean safe environment and there were no other complications, it shouldn’t be an issue at the moment.
DR KIZITO LUBANO
