By Milcah Tanimu
A debate on X (formerly Twitter) has emerged regarding whether women experience sudden weight gain after having an abortion. Some online users, mainly men, claim that women might get pregnant just to gain weight temporarily. But is there any truth to this?
Do Abortions Cause Weight Gain?
To get to the bottom of this, we consulted Dr. Lolu, a medical professional with over seven years of experience practicing in the United States. He clarified:
“It’s illogical for a woman to get pregnant solely for weight gain. Abortions are safest in the first trimester, during which many women do not gain weight. In fact, they often lose weight due to severe morning sickness, food aversions, and potential anemia from poor nutrition.
If a woman has an abortion at this stage, she likely won’t notice a significant difference in her weight and may even look worse due to the stress and side effects associated with the procedure. The weight gain during pregnancy primarily occurs in the late second and third trimesters, and it’s unlikely that women would carry a pregnancy that long just to appear larger before terminating it.”
Expert Opinions on Weight Gain After Abortion
According to an article from Healthline, “Weight gain after an abortion should not occur due to a physiological response from your body.” The article notes that hormonal changes can increase appetite post-abortion, potentially leading some women to eat more.
Weight gain generally results from unhealthy eating habits rather than the act of abortion itself. It’s crucial to avoid stigmatizing women who gain weight naturally based on unfounded beliefs.
