Why is it necessary to divulge having an abortion on medical questionnaires?

Why do they ask or need to know? I can understand if you're there because there's a problem that might be related, but what about years later or if you go to a new doctor for something like headaches?

Why is it necessary to divulge having an abortion on medical questionnaires?
Ya know, I have thought the same thing and found out why recently.... I am 31 and I had an abortion when I was 18. When we moved to a new state and switched drs I thought the same as you and so this time I did not divuldge that I had one. Well... I went in for a pain in my side and migraines about two years ago. They couldn't figure out what the heck was going on. So, I suffered... About two months ago, I went in to the gyn because I had unexplained bleeding, I didn't mention the headaches or pains because to me they weren't related. They did an ultrasound and didn't find the cause for the bleeding (which we later found out after I told the gyn that I had gotten a cortasone shot for my shoulder at my primary drs the week before and that can cause bleeding). The gyn did come in however and asked if I had any side pain. I said yes and headaches too. She said I had hydrosalpinx. After re-asking me my medical questions I didn't leave out the abortion this time and she looked over everything and said that the hydrosalpinx was from the abortion that I had over 13 yrs ago. It was causing side pain that caused me to sit differently which caused my neck to strain and poof headache.


So, I learned a very, very valuable lesson. I have found over the years too that I am not the only person in the world to have had an abortion and I have never had a doctor or nurse judge me on it. I think we get so private and possessive over our information that we can hurt ourselves. I know is SEEMS like they don't need to know, but I am here to tell you that when I went in last week to my dr and told her that I had an abortion (to see if it would have mattered had she known), she called yesterday and said that she had some more ideas on why I was having the side pain. They weren't what exactly what was wrong, but had we tested for what her ideas were two years ago we would have found the beginning of the hydrosalpinx and could have stopped the damage to my flopean tube. The same goes for the gyn visit and the bleeding. I chose not to tell her about the cortosone shot because I didnt think it was pertinent and yet it was the direct cause of the bleeding. If we want a dr to solve a puzzle then we need to give them ALL the pieces.


I know it kinda sucks, but they do need to know. Take it from me, tell them and just remind yourself that they aren't there to judge you and if they do, then honestly, you need a new dr.


Good Luck. I hope this helped answer your question, or at least give you some perspective.
Reply:For the same reasons that you divulge any past surgical procedure, or even childhood illnesses - because every part of your medical history can be relevant under any circumstances.
Reply:The only reason I can see why a doctor would want to know is if you are pregnant. I now someone who was pregnant and the baby had to have a transfusion because of incapability with the mother's blood. This only happens on a second birth or after the women has had a miscarriage or abortion previously.
Reply:there has been some research (apparently) that links having an abortion with the development of certain cancers .. ( just how true this is and who actually funded the research escapes me at this time) ...





apparently it has to do with the sudden drop in certain hormones that takes place after the abortion ( and my guess natural miscarriages too)...





SO maybe it is only to ensure that there is a complete medical history of what you have had ... so it can help with diagnosis of future illnesses in YEARS to come...





ALSO ... some women carry a lot of emotional baggage if they have had an abortion .. guilt regret shame and this may play a part in depression.If it's on record ..the cause of the depression may be found and the proper counselling given.





I HOPE that they are the only reasons and NOT that any doctor judges you .. :)