Combating Abortion Myths: The Tool Kit
Making sure that the public understands the facts about abortion care is critical—especially in the face of what seems like a constant stream of misinformation. As experts, obstetrician–gynecologists and health care professionals are in a uniquely powerful position to share accurate information about abortion in their practices, in their communities, and on social media.
Looking to get started using your voice on social media? To help you combat misinformation and share evidence-based information about abortion, ACOG has put together a tool kit complete with graphics, resources, and information to help you share your expertise as an obstetrician–gynecologist.
Resources
- Facts Are Important: The Truth about Abortion Myths: This resource explains the evidence-based facts that counteract common myths about abortion.
- How to Talk about Abortion: Visit this page for resources on how to have meaningful conversations about abortion, information on specific topics under the abortion umbrella
- ACOG Guide to Language and Abortion: Use this guide to convey your points using language that’s medically appropriate, clinically accurate, and free of bias
Graphics
Download and share these graphics alongside evidence-based information to help refute myths around abortion that you may see on social media.
Graphic 1: Abortion is safe
Image text: Abortion care is among the safest medical interventions. Only about 2% of women who undergo abortion experience a complication associated with the procedure. Most complications are minor and easily treatable with follow-up procedures or antibiotics.
Source: Statpearls
Download "Abortion is safe" graphic
Graphic 2: Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy
Image text: Emergency contraception does not cause abortion. Because it does not end a pregnancy, emergency contraception is unrelated to abortion.
Download "Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy" graphic
Graphic 3: People can get pregnant immediately after having an abortion
Image text: Evidence has shown that abortion is not associated with a higher risk of infertility in the future.
Source: UK National Health Service
Graphic 4: Abortion does not cause breast cancer
Image text: Evidence has shown that there is no casual link between breast cancer and abortion.
Source: The Lancet
Graphic 5: Only you can decide whether an abortion is right for you
Image text: Over 95% of women surveyed five years after having an abortion reported that it was the right decision for them.
Source: University of California San Francisco
Graphic 6: Being denied a wanted abortion leads to more anxiety than receiving an abortion
Image text: A study of women who sought an abortion found that short-term stress levels were highest for those who were refused treatment and proceeded to parent.
Source: University of California San Francisco
Graphic 7: There is no evidence that medication abortion can be reversed
Image text: No medication abortion "reversal" protocol has been proven effective or safe by scientific methods or testing.
Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology