Every year an estimated 13 million women receive abortions in China, most of whom are young women, according to a report in the Beijing Youth Daily.

Recent statistics show that the annual abortion rate has reached 2.93 percent in China among women aged between 13 and 48, especially those in their twenties, many of whom are students. The urban abortion rate is higher than in rural areas.

Research also shows that repeated and high-risk abortions due to unplanned pregnancies account for most of the cases, with the highest recorded number for one woman reported to be 15 abortions. A survey of 8,846 cases in 10 hospitals in Beijing reveals the high-risk abortion rate is 41.54 percent. Of those interviewed, 35.97 percent underwent repeated abortions within half a year and 17.7 percent received more than three abortions in a lifetime.

Repeated abortions can pose a severe danger to a woman's physical and mental health. A research study shows that 84 percent of women suffer from mental anguish and regret after an abortion, with unmarried women more prone to psychological stress. Some 10.12 percent of women suffer from complications such as infection and hemorrhage, while 18.92 percent have long-term complications like menstrual irregularities, adnexitis, or cervical or uterine adhesions.

Additionally, after repeated abortions, 1.38 percent of women will develop infertility. Repeated abortions can also lead to perforation of the uterus, visceral injury, a higher risk of miscarriages, and ectopic gestation.

Most married women attribute their unplanned pregnancies to contraception failure. Among unmarried cases, 78.6 percent resort to abortion after unprotected sex.

Experts warn that becoming pregnant within six months of having an abortion is dangerous, and suggest the use of contraceptive measures such as an intrauterine device (IUD), oral contraceptive pill (OCP), subdermal contraceptive implant, or oviduct sterilization surgery.

(China.org.cn by Huang Shan, March 29, 2007)