The Truth About Abortion and Mental Health

I feel like I am barely hanging on as it is.  And now I’m pregnant. 

An unplanned pregnancy is a HUGE surprise. It can leave you with a roller coaster of emotions. Maybe you’re scared, anxious, unsure, or numb. Or maybe you feel ALL of these at once. Whatever your emotions are right now, your feelings are all normal.

If I have an abortion, will it affect my mental health? 

Great question. You’re smart for thinking about how this might impact your emotional state.    As you consider your options—abortion, adoption, or parenting—it’s important to weigh how an abortion could affect your mental health, now and in the future.  No matter what pregnancy decision you choose  you will be changed on the other side.

HOW WILL AN ABORTION AFFECT MY MENTAL HEALTH? 

Tell it to me straight!  Will an abortion help or hurt me mentally?

Everyone experiences intense situations differently. You’re a unique person, and your situation is unique too.  An abortion can be traumatic. This puts any woman considering abortion at a higher risk of mental health problems.1 Sometimes, abortion can make a woman’s current mental health problems worse. Other times, an abortion could cause new mental health problems.2  One study showed that abortions later in pregnancy increase a woman’s risk of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.3  

While some women report immediate relief after an abortion, that feeling is often replaced with a variety of emotions and outcomes. These could include:

  • Anxiety
  • Sadness/Depression
  • Guilt
  • Regret
  • Anger
  • Loneliness/Withdrawal
  • Relationship Issues
  • Difficulty Sleeping
  • Harmful/Suicidal Thoughts
  • Substance abuse

Sometimes these intense emotions develop months and years later, or with a subsequent pregnancy. 4, 5

If you’re having or have ever thought about harming yourself, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 immediately. 

At Little Way, we want you to be healthy, happy, and whole!

WHAT ABOUT THE ABORTION PILL? WON’T THAT BE LESS TRAUMATIC THAN A SURGICAL ABORTION? 

Abortion pills (chemical abortions) can seem to be a fast-acting solution to an unplanned pregnancy.  Although both the abortion pill and a surgical abortion can increase the risks for mental health problems, the abortion pill has its unique set of risks.  Because the process is done outside of a clinic, usually at home by yourself, this can be especially difficult.  Many women have been surprised that during the painful process of passing clots they see identifiable body parts, which can often be traumatic.

I’M ALREADY EXPERIENCING DEPRESSION. CAN AN ABORTION HELP? 

We get it.  Life is hard, and an unplanned pregnancy makes everything seem so much harder.  

Stressful life circumstances may make a woman feel that abortion will take away a lot of that stress.  Although women sometimes report initially feeling better after an abortion,6 often they then feel numb and experience negative emotions for years.7  Not one study shows an abortion will improve mental health.1 Instead, one study suggests that women who choose abortion have a 30% increased risk of developing a mental health disorder,1 with many women seeking mental health services afterward.8

Any pregnancy can cause emotional and physical stress. However, one study shows that women who choose abortion had a higher rate of mental health problems than those who chose to carry their pregnancy to term.1 

An unplanned pregnancy can feel like a curve ball out of left field. If you’re feeling knocked off your feet, we understand. We are here for you.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP IF I’M CONSIDERING AN ABORTION? 

Knowledge is power and the first step in making any important decision is to educate yourself. Any woman considering abortion should first determine if her pregnancy is viable.  One in four pregnancies ends in a natural miscarriage, in which case an abortion isn’t needed.  She also needs to figure out exactly how far along she is, which will determine the type of abortion she is eligible to receive.  (The Abortion Pill is only FDA approved for up to 10 weeks.)  An ultrasound is the best way to determine viability, gestational dating and rule out an ectopic pregnancy.  Our nurses can discuss abortion procedures as well as whether STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing is recommended.  At Little Way, we empower our clients with the information and education needed so they can make the decision that is best for them.  

Call (502) 583-2151 for pregnancy confirmation, a free ultrasound, and abortion information.*

I’VE ALREADY HAD AN ABORTION, I DON’T FEEL BETTER. I FEEL WORSE! 

I thought I would feel relief. Not this. Now what?

Many women share with us that they are dealing with the emotional side effects of their abortion.  We are here for you.  Please call us to discuss how we can help you find the peace you deserve.  There is hope!

Call (502) 583-2151.

You are not alone! We are here for you, with information and confidential, compassionate care, so you can make the best decision for your life. Whatever you’re feeling, Little Way is a safe place to get the expert care you deserve.

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Sources

  1. 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 
  2. 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 
  3. 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.
  4. Coleman PK. Abortion and mental health: quantitative synthesis and analysis of research published 1995–2009. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;199(3):180-186. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.110.077230
  5. 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 
  6. 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/ 
  7. 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 
  8. Studnicki, J., Longbons, T., Fisher, J., Reardon, D. C., Skop, I., Cirucci, C. A., Harrison, D. J., Craver, C., Tsulukidze, M., & Ras, Z. (2023, June 15). A Cohort Study of Mental Health Services Utilization Following a First Pregnancy Abortion or Birth. International Journal of Women’s Health. https://www.dovepress.com/a-cohort-study-of-mental-health-services-utilization-following-a-first-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJWH 
  9. Coleman, P. K., Rue, V. M., & Spence, M. (2006, December 31). Intrapersonal Processes and Post-Abortion Relationship Challenges: A Review and Consolidation of Relevant Literature. The Internet Journal of Mental Health. https://ispub.com/IJMH/4/2/3804 
  10. 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 
  11. 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

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