If you’ve had an abortion and are now struggling emotionally, know that this is something many women experience—and it can catch you off guard.
Even if abortion felt like the right decision at the time, emotions like grief, guilt, sadness, or a sense of loss can surface unexpectedly, sometimes weeks, months, or years later. If these feelings are weighing on you, there is hope and healing available. Talking with a counselor or a support group for women who’ve had similar experiences can help you process your feelings without judgment.
In this article, we’ll explore the effects of abortion on mental health and where you can go to get help. Keep reading to learn more about this important topic.
The Mental Health Effects of Abortion
Everyone experiences different emotions after an abortion. Some studies suggest that abortion may lead to mental health issues for some women. It can worsen existing problems or create new ones.[1][2]
Research on mental health after abortion has identified several possible psychological effects that some women may experience. Examples include:[3][4]
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Substance abuse
- Suicidal behaviors
If you’re thinking about suicide, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.
To understand how abortion affects a woman’s mental health, we need to consider several factors. These include her past mental health, the situation around the pregnancy, and the support she does or doesn’t have.
Does the Abortion Pill Affect Mental Health Differently?
Two main types of abortion exist: the abortion pill (medication abortion) and surgical abortion (done in a clinic). Both methods might affect mental health differently, which is worth noting.
For example, one study found that having a surgical abortion later in pregnancy can increase the risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).[5] PTSD is a mental health condition that’s caused by a stressful event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, anxiety, and unwanted thoughts about the event.[6]
Another study found that the abortion pill might cause long-term feelings of sadness or guilt. The experience of taking medication at home may feel different from a surgical procedure.[7] Some women may feel more isolated during the abortion pill process.
Can Abortion Cause Depression?
Some women feel immediate relief after an abortion because the stress of an unplanned pregnancy goes away.[8]
However, this feeling might not last. Studies show that negative feelings, like guilt or sadness, can come up later. This can happen weeks, months, or even years after the procedure.[7]
A study found that women who had an abortion felt more depression or anxiety in future pregnancies.[10] This means that the emotional effects can last longer than just after the event. They can also affect how you feel about pregnancy later on.
Another study found no proof that abortion makes mental health better and said it might raise the chance of mental health problems.[1] This research shows that while abortion can give short-term relief from stress related to pregnancy, it does not fix deeper mental health issues.
How Does Abortion Affect Relationships?
Abortion doesn’t just impact you individually—it can create ripples throughout your support system.
If you felt pushed into an abortion or made the decision under pressure, you might feel more stress or sadness, which can impact your relationships.[11] Feeling coerced or unsupported during the decision-making process is a significant risk factor for negative mental health outcomes.
Talking openly or getting counseling can help you process these feelings and rebuild connections with loved ones.
Struggling Emotionally After an Abortion? An Even Place Can Help.
If you’re struggling emotionally after an abortion, talking to someone can help. An Even Place offers after abortion support groups, where you can begin to unpack your emotions and connect with other women who understand what you’ve gone through.
Contact us to start your healing journey today.
Please be aware that An Even Place does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does abortion affect mental health?
Abortion can affect mental health in various ways, and the experience differs for each woman.
Some women feel relief after an abortion, while others may experience depression, anxiety, guilt, or sadness. Research suggests that mental health effects can appear immediately after the procedure or emerge months or years later.
Can abortion cause long-term mental health problems?
Studies have found that abortion may be associated with long-term mental health challenges for some women. Research indicates that depression risk can last up to eight years after an abortion, and some women report experiencing anxiety or PTSD symptoms, particularly after later-term or surgical abortions.
Do surgical abortion and the abortion pill affect mental health differently?
Both types of abortion can affect mental health, but in different ways.
Medication abortions (the abortion pill) have been associated with long-term feelings of sadness or guilt, possibly because women experience the process at home with less immediate medical support.
Research suggests that surgical abortions, especially later in pregnancy, may increase the risk of PTSD.
Where can I get support if I’m struggling with mental health after an abortion?
If you’re struggling emotionally after an abortion, talking to someone can help. An Even Place offers after abortion support groups, where you can begin to unpack your emotions and connect with other women who understand what you’ve gone through.
Reach out today for free, confidential, and nonjudgmental support.
If you’re having thoughts of suicide, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 immediately.
Sources
- Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ, Boden JM. Abortion and mental health disorders: evidence from a 30-year longitudinal study. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;193(6):444-451. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/abortion-and-mental-health-disorders-evidence-from-a-30year-longitudinal-study/59A90CBF3A58C58B342CBCFFBBFEBD2E
- Mota, N. P., Burnett, M., & Sareen, J. (2010, April). Associations Between Abortion, Mental Disorders, and Suicidal Behaviour in a Nationally Representative Sample. American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Mota-et-al.pdf
- Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., & Ridder, E. M. (2005, September 22). Abortion in young women and subsequent mental health. Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01538.x
- Coleman, PK. Abortion and mental health: quantitative synthesis and analysis of research published 1995–2009. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;199(3):180-186. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21881096/
- Priscilla K. Coleman, Catherine T. Coyle, Vincent M. Rue. Late-Term Elective Abortion and Susceptibility to Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms. Journal of Pregnancy, vol. 2010, Article ID 130519, 10 pages, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/130519.
- Mayo Clinic. (2024, August 16). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967
- Smith Dallabrida, E. (2022, October). Study Shows Long-Term Negative Impact of Medication Abortion. Support After Abortion. https://supportafterabortion.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Study-Shows-Long-Term-Negative-Impact-of-Medication-Abortion.pdf
- Dagg, P. (1991, May). The psychological sequelae of therapeutic abortion–denied and completed. The American Journal of Psychiatry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2018157/
- Cougle JR, Reardon DC, Coleman PK. Depression associated with abortion and childbirth: a long-term analysis of the NLSY cohort. Med Sci Monit. 2003 Apr;9(4):CR105-12. PMID: 12709667.
- Huang, Z., Hao, J., Su, P., Huang, K., Xing, X., Cheng, D., Xiao, L., Xu, Y., Zhu, X., & Tao, F. T. (2012). The impact of prior abortion on anxiety and depression symptoms during a subsequent pregnancy: data from a population-based cohort study in China. Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. https://psychiatry-psychopharmacology.com/en/the-impact-of-prior-abortion-on-anxiety-and-depression-symptoms-during-a-subsequent-pregnancy-data-from-a-population-based-cohort-study-in-china-131424
- Reardon DC, Longbons T. Effects of Pressure to Abort on Women’s Emotional Responses and Mental Health. Cureus. Published online January 31, 2023. doi:10.7759/cureus.34456