What Are the Mental Health Effects of Abortion?

Many women experience struggles with their mental health following an abortion. Most women thinking about abortion consider the physical risks, but very few consider the risks abortion poses to their mental health.

Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome

Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS (opens in a new tab)) is a term that some mental health professionals use to label the psychological response some women have after an abortion. PASS can affect a woman immediately following an abortion, or it can remain repressed for months or even years before surfacing.

If you have received an abortion and are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. Sometimes abortion supporters ignore the facts and claim that abortion does not affect women’s mental health. It can feel isolating to experience something that others refuse exists, but research (opens in a new tab) shows that following an abortion, women are more likely to experience mental health struggles like:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Eating disorder
• Substance use disorder
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

Risk factors for PASS

Some women are at a greater risk of developing PASS.

• Women that have a history of mental health struggles
• Women from religious or social groups that have negative views of abortion
• Women that feel pressured to abort
• Women that want children in the future

Talk about it

If you think you might be experiencing PASS, don’t keep it to yourself. Talking with someone you trust can be helpful. It would be best to consider meeting with a professional counselor to discuss your symptoms.

How we can help

If you are having difficulty recovering mentally from an abortion, let us help. Get the support you need from a licensed professional counselor at The Well Clinic.

If you are still considering options for your pregnancy, The Well Clinic can give you information about all your options, including abortion. Make an appointment for a free and confidential visit.

The Well Clinic does not perform or refer for abortions. We provide accurate information about every option so you can make an informed decision.