The real reasons for drop in abortion rates

by Lois Cunningham

In a recent Nashville Tennessean op-ed, Dr. Frank Boehm noted that abortion rates are falling nationally. That is perhaps true.

Dr. Boehm further believes that this drop is due primarily to the growing availability and use of contraceptives.

Not so fast.

Dr. Boehm notes that abortion rates are at their lowest in decades “due to a host of factors,” but then he ignores all factors but one.  He claims that “The reason abortion numbers are at the lowest level in years is relatively easy to explain: more women have been able to obtain and use reliable contraception.”

He gives no source for the contraception claim.  Let’s consider some of “the host of factors” for the decline in abortion numbers:

1. Women are being educated about the violence of abortion and its numerous risks to women, thanks to the efforts of numerous pro-life organizations (www.abortionNo.org).
2. Women now have access to free services and alternatives to abortion at several thousand pregnancy resource centers in all 50 states.
3. Women who have had prior abortions are speaking out in greater numbers about the deep regret they have felt after aborting their preborn children.
4. The law restrains abortion numbers.  According to Dr. Michael New, “A growing body of peer-reviewed research shows that public-funding restrictions, parental-involvement laws, and properly designed informed-consent laws all reduce abortion rates.” (Casey at 25: Pro-Life Progress Despite a Judicial Setback) Dr. Boehm gave no citation for his claim to the contrary.

Abortion numbers are not completely reliable.  The CDC reports that only 33 out of 52 reporting areas (50 states plus New York City and Washington, D.C.) include medical (i.e., chemical drug) abortion in their reports.  For the areas that do report, statistics from 2004 to 2013 demonstrate that medical abortion increased 110% to account for 22.3% of all abortions by 2013 (Abortion Surveillance — United States, 2013).  The reality is that an unknown number of medical abortions are executed through abortion clinics and at private doctors’ offices; they are never reported to the CDC.

Dr. Boehm advocates for “long acting reversible contraception” without mentioning the potential harm done to women’s reproductive systems.  These hazards include (1) perforation of the uterus which can damage surrounding organs, (2) intracranial hypertension, which can lead to loss of vision, (3) dizziness, (4) mood alteration, and (5) abnormal uterine bleeding. (Drug-Watch: Mirena; Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Associated with Hormonal Contraception)