What Are the Mental Health Effects of Abortion?

If abortion is one of the options you are considering after an unexpected pregnancy, you may wonder how you could feel afterward as well as what the procedure involves physically.

There is no single emotional response that applies to every woman. Some report relief, while others experience sadness, grief, regret, anxiety, or several emotions at the same time. The circumstances surrounding the abortion can also influence how you respond afterward.

We’re here to help you understand all your options. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Hope Pregnancy Resource Center to meet with an advocate and discuss your questions.

Emotional Responses Can Be Different

Research on abortion and mental health does not show that every woman will experience the same outcome.

Some women may not experience significant mental health impacts. Others, however, may struggle after the abortion and face challenges such as the following:

• Sadness
• Grief
• Feelings of loss
• Clinically significant disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety)

While there isn’t a guarantee that you’ll experience these, it can be useful to think about how you generally respond to major decisions and stressful events, especially if you already have concerns about anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma.

The Circumstances Around the Decision Matter

How you arrive at a decision about pregnancy is just as important to consider.

Are you making the decision because abortion is what you want, or because your partner or family is pushing for it? Are financial concerns making you feel as though you have no other choice? Does abortion conflict with your personal or religious beliefs?

Research has identified factors such as pre-existing mental health concerns, feeling pressured, low social support, and conflicting attitudes about abortion as potentially impacting how you might feel afterward.

That does not mean any one factor determines how you will feel, but it’s important to think about them before making a decision.

Ask Your Questions Before Deciding

You do not need to predict exactly how you will feel months from now. You can, however, make sure you understand abortion, parenting, and adoption before moving forward.

Our advocates can discuss each of your options with you and provide opportunities to ask questions. This is your decision; we’re here to be an informational resource.

Schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment with us today.

All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.