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FACT BRIEF

Is birth control a form of abortion?

By Sue Bin Park
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NO

Under the consensus of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, birth control, including the IUD, does not induce abortion.

All major American medical associations and U.S. government agencies define pregnancy as the time from implantation of a fertilized cell into the uterus to delivery.

Abortion is defined by scientific and medical consensus as the termination of a pregnancy that must occur after implantation of the fertilized cell. Birth control prevents implantation, acting before pregnancy can begin.

Therefore, according to all major medical organizations, OB/GYNs, and government agencies, contraceptives are not a form of abortion. In addition, the majority of popular contraceptives, including hormonal IUDs, act on fertilization, not implantation.

Without birth control, only about 40% of fertilized cells successfully implant in the uterus to become a pregnancy. The failure of a fertilized cell to implant is not considered an abortion.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
University of Wisconsin-Madison How does contraception work? Not through inducing abortion
Supreme Court of the United States Brief of Amicus Curae from Physicians for Reproductive Health, et al.
Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey Mechanisms of action of intrauterine devices
The New York Times Science Does Not Support Claims That Contraceptives Are ‘Abortion-Inducing’
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Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) corporation that produces in-depth and investigative journalism as a public service for the benefit of all Oklahomans. Through investigative, fact-driven journalism, we dig deep and examine significant issues facing our state. Our work engages all Oklahomans, amplifies the discussion of important issues and leads to change. We help develop the journalists and journalism of the future.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.