Connection Between Abortion and Mental Well-being

Mounting evidence supports the idea that abortion does not lead to adverse mental health outcomes, whereas limiting access to abortion does.

In numerous states, healthcare providers are legally obligated to convey information suggesting a link between abortion and mental health issues.

You may have encountered claims suggesting that abortion is associated with suicide tendencies, depression, or a purported condition known as “post-abortion syndrome.” However, these assertions are unsubstantiated.

Extensive research spanning decades has consistently shown that abortion is not a causal factor for mental health conditions or their associated symptoms.

On the contrary, being denied an abortion when sought can have a detrimental impact on one’s overall mental and emotional well-being.

The Impact of Receiving Abortion Care

Extensive research strongly indicates that receiving abortion care does not have an adverse impact on an individual’s mental health.

This consensus is endorsed by reputable organizations, including:

You may have heard of “post-abortion syndrome” or “post-abortion stress syndrome,” which purportedly involves post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms following an abortion. However, there is no credible evidence to support the existence of such a syndrome.

Notably, “post-abortion syndrome” is not recognized by the International Classification of Diseases or the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition). These manuals are widely used for classifying and diagnosing mental health conditions.

The Turnaway Study, a landmark investigation conducted by Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, collected data from individuals seeking abortions over several years.

Instead, the Turnaway Study examined the mental health consequences of individuals who had desired abortions in contrast to those who desired abortions but were unable to access them.

Studies based on data from the Turnaway Study have uncovered the following:

Undergoing an abortion does not result in worse mental health outcomes.
Regardless of whether they received or were denied abortions, participants experienced mental health improvements five years after seeking abortion services.
Individuals who had an abortion were not more prone to suicidal thoughts than those who were denied an abortion, both immediately after seeking an abortion and in the years that followed.
Individuals who had an abortion were not more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those who were denied an abortion, both immediately after seeking an abortion and in the years that followed.
Having an abortion does not lead to increased alcohol use, tobacco use, or the use of other substances.

Regarding emotions, a study conducted a 5-year assessment of individuals’ feelings about their abortion experiences. Among all the emotions recorded, the most commonly reported sentiment was one of relief following their abortion.

It’s important to acknowledge that a small minority of individuals do experience regret after having an abortion. However, in the same study, a remarkable 99% of those who had undergone an abortion felt confident that they had made the right decision when reassessed five years later.

It’s essential to recognize that everyone’s emotional response to abortion is unique. While the majority of individuals appear to hold positive sentiments about their abortion experience in the years that follow, it is also common to grapple with negative or complex emotions.

If you are seeking emotional support after undergoing an abortion, consider reaching out to organizations like All-Options at 888-493-0092 or Exhale at 866-439-4253 (call) or 617-749-2948 (text) for compassionate and nonjudgmental post-abortion counseling.

The Impact of Navigating Abortion Care Restrictions

Access to abortion care remains prohibited in numerous states. Even in states where abortion is legally permitted, individuals seeking abortion services often encounter obstacles, such as mandatory waiting periods between the initial request for care and the actual provision of services.

Studies indicate that these mandatory waiting periods can lead to emotional distress and place a significant financial burden, particularly on individuals from lower-income backgrounds or those residing further away from abortion providers.

Moreover, certain states mandate pre-abortion counseling, which often compels healthcare professionals to disseminate inaccurate or misleading information aimed at dissuading individuals from pursuing an abortion. This misleading information may extend to the purported mental health consequences of abortion.

Research has further revealed that individuals facing societal stigma when seeking an abortion, regardless of their ultimate decision, are more likely to endure negative psychological repercussions in the years that follow.

The Consequences of Inaccessible Abortion Care

In general, desiring abortion care but being unable to access it has been linked to more adverse mental health outcomes, as indicated by a systematic review conducted in 2021. This review also found that individuals denied abortions were more likely to encounter unfavorable financial circumstances.

A 2016 study, spanning six decades of survey data involving participants mainly in their fifties, with pregnancies occurring predominantly before abortion was legalized, revealed a strong association between unintended pregnancies and subsequent poor mental health effects, notably depression, later in life.

Furthermore, research based on data from the Turnaway Study indicates that individuals denied abortions when compared to those who received desired abortions, tend to experience:

Elevated symptoms of anxiety.
Lower self-esteem.
Diminished life satisfaction.

Studies also demonstrate that individuals denied abortions are more likely to:

Live in poverty.
Possess lower credit scores.
Encounter bankruptcy and eviction.
Remain in relationships with abusive partners.
Raise children as single parents.

A study conducted in 2019 discovered that individuals who were denied abortions and subsequently gave birth were at a higher risk of encountering adverse physical health outcomes. They reported experiencing more chronic headaches, migraines, and joint pain.

In 2015, another study found that these individuals were also more prone to experiencing medical complications such as eclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage.

Additionally, a 5-year study published in 2021 examined the emotional well-being of those who had been denied abortions. While participants reported a mixture of negative and positive emotions one week after the denial, their emotional state gradually improved throughout pregnancy and after childbirth.

This implies that although abortion denial can initially lead to emotional distress, it is possible for individuals to experience an improvement in their emotional well-being over time.

Considerations Regarding Pregnancy and Parenthood

If you desired an abortion but were unable to obtain one, you might be experiencing a range of emotions.

In general, being denied an abortion is linked to more unfavorable mental health outcomes. However, it’s important to understand that this doesn’t mean you are destined to develop a mental health condition or endure emotional difficulties indefinitely.

Most of the aforementioned studies underscore the significance of your specific circumstances in influencing your mental well-being.

You may be at a heightened risk of developing a mental health condition following an abortion denial if you:

Lack of sufficient social support.
Previously had a mental health condition or exhibited symptoms of one before seeking an abortion.
Feel unfulfilled in your career and other aspects of your life.
]Don’t sense a strong bond with your newborn.
Face financial stress.

Receiving support can contribute positively to your mental health. This may involve engaging in open conversations with supportive loved ones and seeking empathetic, nonjudgmental counseling.

Exploring support groups tailored to individuals in similar situations—whether they eventually have an abortion, experience a miscarriage, or give birth—can also provide valuable social support and a sense of community.

Effects on Children and Adolescents

When individuals have desired abortions, both their existing children and subsequent children (children born after their abortion) tend to experience better outcomes.

Research has demonstrated that the existing children of individuals who were denied abortions are more likely to exhibit lower child development scores in comparison to the existing children of those who proceeded with their abortions.

A 5-year study conducted to assess the well-being of children born to individuals who were denied abortions (referred to as “index children”) in contrast to those born to individuals after they had a wanted abortion (referred to as “subsequent children”) revealed significant differences. Index children were more prone to encountering challenges such as poor maternal bonding and living in poverty.

Where to Seek Further Information and Support

There exist numerous misconceptions surrounding the intersection of mental health and abortion. However, extensive research consistently indicates that undergoing an abortion does not lead to adverse mental health outcomes. In contrast, being denied an abortion can have detrimental effects on mental well-being.

Whether you’ve undergone an abortion, faced abortion denial, or are contemplating abortion, it’s advisable to seek emotional support if you believe it would be beneficial.

Regardless of your emotional response—whether it encompasses feelings of relief, sadness, guilt, anger, happiness, or any other sentiment—you deserve compassionate, nonjudgmental support.

You can access post-abortion counseling support through the following organizations:

All-Options (Call 888-493-0092)
Connect and Breathe (Call 1-866-647-1764)
Exhale (Call 866-439-4253 or text 617-749-2948)

Additionally, you may consider reaching out to Planned Parenthood, which offers mental health services and may be able to connect you with a counseling service in your vicinity.