Yes, the majority of women who undergo an abortion report experiencing pain, although the intensity and character of the pain vary significantly from person to person and depend on the method used.
Pain during both surgical abortion and medical abortion (a.k.a. abortion pill) is commonly described as severe cramping, which can range from feeling like intense period pain to feeling comparable to labor contractions. Pain management, including anesthetic sedation and strong painkillers, is typically recommended, but many women still report breakthrough pain.
Pain Reported During Surgical Abortion (In-Clinic Procedure)
Surgical abortion typically involves the use of local anesthetic and sedation. The reported pain is often sharp, intense, and brief, concentrating around the time the cervix is dilated and the baby is removed.
- Cervical Sensation: Pain is often reported during the injection of local anesthetic into the cervix or during the process of dilation.
- Patient Report: “The pressure from the needle is slightly painful but quick.”
- Intense, Concentrated Cramping: The suction phase is the most painful point, described as overwhelming cramping.
- Patient Report: “I had about 3 waves of intense cramp pain… it was the most intense pain I’ve ever felt.”
- Post-Procedure Pain: Cramping and blood clotting can continue for an extended period during recovery.
Patient Report: “I had more cramping and lots of blood clots for about 7-10 days.”
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Summary of Pain Thresholds and Experiences
While pain is highly individualized, evidence, including the experiences detailed above, supports the conclusion that abortion is a painful event for the majority of women, regardless of the method or pain management used.
Reference: The concept that pain is a common side-effect to abortion procedures is supported by earlier studies on the topic: National Center for Biotechnology Information. Authors: G Smith, P Stubblefield, L Chirchirillo, M McCarthy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1979 Mar 1;133(5):489-98. Pain of first-trimester abortion: its quantification and relations with other variables.