Rise in Rate of Abortion Among Women Over 40

The number of women over 40 years of age opting for abortion has risen by more than 30 percent over the last decade according to new figures released by the government in Britain. Experts suggest that more and more women in their 40s are being sexually active and believe that there is no need for them to use any contraceptives only to be “stunned” when they find that they are pregnant.

According to the figures, around 8,179 women in their 40s opted for abortion over the last decade with nearly 500 women over the age of 45 and 21 women in their 50s. According to a study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, while over 70 percent of those between 16 to 19 years of age use contraceptives, the number falls under 35 percent among those aged between 35 and 44 years.

Commenting on the figures, the chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Ann Furedi said, “I think women are generally remaining sexually active for longer, and women in their 40s increasingly see themselves as sexual players – whether or not they are in relationships – in a way that they didn't even a decade ago.”


Source-Medindia