Emotional Experiences and Mental Health After Abortion

It’s normal to experience a range of emotions after an abortion. Some people feel relief quickly, while others may need more time to process their feelings—everyone’s experience is unique. Research shows that having an abortion does not directly cause mental or emotional problems. In fact, studies find that the procedure itself does not increase the risk of depression, anxiety, or other psychological issues. Many people report feeling relief, and regret is less common.

Understanding Sadness and Emotional Distress

Despite these findings, emotional distress can occur due to factors like existing mental health conditions, lack of support, social stigma, or being denied an abortion. It’s not uncommon for a woman to find themselves feeling sad after an abortion. Research has shown that sadness is actually a common feeling after an abortion. Women may not realize that these emotions have anything to do with their abortion; it can be weeks, months, or even years before they surface. For some women, the feelings of sadness can be prolonged and result in depression (sometimes severe) and other mental health symptoms.

Reasons for Negative Feelings

There can be many reasons for feeling sad after an abortion. In the short-term, feelings of sadness can be a result of hormones shifting after an abortion. But beyond those initial hormone shifts, many women feel sad when they recognize they have suffered a loss. And experiencing any kind of loss can naturally lead to grieving. Sometimes women feel sad because they believed they were unable to talk to anyone about their abortion. They experienced regret and needed someone to process these feelings, but didn’t want anyone to know they had an abortion.

Post Abortion Stress Syndrome and Research Data

When these feelings of sadness or depression don’t go away, something called “Post Abortion Stress Syndrome” may be diagnosed. This is a type of post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by the abortion and events or circumstances surrounding the event. There is plenty of evidence that Post Abortion Stress Syndrome is real. Many women (and their partners, too) regret their abortions, and need help walking through their feelings and finding healing.

Summary of Mental Health Research Findings

• Relief and Stability: Studies find the procedure does not increase the risk of depression or anxiety; many report feeling relief quickly.
• Increased Risks: The largest study of mental health risks associated with abortion was performed in 2011. The conclusion included this statement: “Women who had undergone an abortion experienced an 81% increased risk of mental health problems.”
• Coping Mechanisms: Substance abuse is another way some post-abortive women often try to cope with their sadness.

Where to Find Help and Support

Seeking support and reliable information is important to help manage these feelings. Thankfully, there are many organizations- both online and locally, that can help you cope with negative feelings or trauma associated with an abortion. If you need to talk to someone about a past abortion, you can explore several resources:

• Adverse Psychological Reactions: A Fact Sheet
• Clinical Articles on Abortion and its effects
• Support After Abortion: Lived Experiences
• Long-term Negative Impact of Medication Abortion

Note: The information on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and medical advice.