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. Some women report that at first, they felt relief. They thought that abortion was the solution to the problem of an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy. And at first, it seemed like everything was going to be fine. But then, at some point, things changed. What once was relief has now turned to confusion. Then the sadness sets in.
How Common is it to Feel Sad 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 – but research has shown that sadness is actually a common feeling after an abortion. For some women, the feelings of sadness can be prolonged and result in depression (sometimes severe) and other mental health symptoms. Substance abuse is another way some post-abortive women often try to cope with their sadness.
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.”
| Key Data Point | Statistic/Details |
| Increased risk of mental health problems | 81% |
| Year of largest mental health risk study | 2011 |
| Annual deaths from unsafe abortions globally | 22,000 |
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 before and after an abortion. 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. 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
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. If you type “Post Abortion Stress Syndrome” into your internet search bar, you will find that nearly ALL of the top articles shown to you 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 to Help with Post-Abortion Emotions
Thankfully, there are many organizations- both online and locally, that can help you cope with negative feelings or trauma associated with an abortion. Understanding the need for a wealth of knowledge on safe abortion quality care, Marie Stopes International has partnered up to create SafeAccess, a one-stop-shop for guidance and resources on safe abortion and post-abortion care.
Here are just a few resources that discuss the negative effects women experience after an abortion and offer support:
- Adverse Psychological Reactions: A Fact Sheet
- Clinical Articles on Abortion and its effects
- Support After Abortion: Lived Experiences
- If Not For Grace: With in-person services
- SafeAccess: Guidance and resources on safe abortion and post-abortion care
Need to talk to someone about a past abortion? Many organizations specialize in treatment, advice & support for people considering abortion or dealing with post-abortion care. You can find valuable resources for the public, including practitioners and policy makers, at dedicated resource hubs.