Feeling Sad After an Abortion: Reasons and Resources to Help
It’s not uncommon for a woman to find themselves feeling sad after an abortion. You’re not alone, and there is help available to work through these feelings. If you have experienced an abortion, you may experience a range of emotions.
How common is it to feel sad?
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, as it can be weeks, months, or even years before they surface. Some women report that at first, they felt relief, thinking that abortion was the solution to the problem of an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy. But then, at some point, things changed. What once was relief has now turned to confusion, and then the sadness sets in. For some women, the feelings of sadness can be prolonged and result in depression (sometimes severe) and other mental health symptoms.
The largest study of mental health risks associated with abortion was performed in 2011. The data highlights the following statistics regarding mental health:
| Category | Statistical Evidence / Findings |
| Mental Health Risks | Women who had undergone an abortion experienced an 81% increased risk of mental health problems. |
| Common Coping Mechanisms | Substance abuse is another way some post-abortive women often try to cope with their sadness. |
Why do women feel sad after an abortion?
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. Feelings about abortion often change; for instance, a woman who at first felt trapped by their pregnancy, might later on wonder “what might have been”. Sometimes women feel sad because they believed they were unable to talk to anyone about their abortion, needing someone to process these feelings but not wanting anyone to know they had the procedure.
Understanding Post Abortion Stress Syndrome
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. While some articles state that it doesn’t exist, the truth is, 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.
Resources and Where to Find Help
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, consider these resources that discuss the effects women experience:
- 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
- If Not For Grace: Support for in-person healing