What Are the Mental Health Effects of Abortion?

Decisions surrounding pregnancy can carry deep emotional weight, and every woman’s experience is unique. People report a wide range of emotional responses after abortion. Learning about possible mental health experiences is not about judgment, but about ensuring access to accurate information.

At The Cline Center, we believe women deserve clear, compassionate information and a safe space to discuss their experiences and concerns. If you’re navigating a pregnancy decision or processing one already made, you don’t have to do it alone. 

Contact us to speak with someone who will listen without pressure.

Emotional Responses After Abortion

Studies on abortion and mental health don’t all reach the same conclusions, but there are some important patterns researchers agree on. Overall, women who have had an abortion report higher rates of mental health struggles than those who have not. For some women, the experience may contribute to feelings like anxiety, depression, or emotional distress, especially if they already had mental health challenges before the pregnancy. 

While it can be difficult to say exactly what causes these outcomes, research has not shown that abortion improves mental health. These findings highlight why careful consideration is essential when making pregnancy decisions.

What Research Shows About Mental Health Risks

Researchers have looked closely at whether abortion is linked to mental health outcomes by studying large groups of women over time. One major study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry reviewed medical records from nearly 877,000 women, including more than 164,000 who had experienced an abortion.

The researchers found that women who had an abortion reported mental health struggles more often than women who had not. Overall, they were about 81% more likely to experience mental health challenges. The study noted higher rates of:

• Anxiety disorders (about 34% higher)
  
• Depression (about 37% higher)
  
• Alcohol misuse (about 110% higher)
  
• Marijuana misuse (about 220% higher)
  
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors (about 155% higher)

These findings don’t mean that abortion automatically causes mental health problems. Mental health is complex, and many factors can be involved. 

However, the patterns seen in this research suggest that some women may be more vulnerable emotionally after an abortion, which highlights the importance of compassionate support, follow-up care, and having space to process the experience.

Support Makes a Difference

The Cline Center offers free, confidential services to support your physical and emotional well-being.

If you’re seeking clarity, support, or simply a place to talk, help is available. You don’t have to navigate these questions alone. Reach out to The Cline Center today to schedule a confidential appointment to learn more about the resources and support available to you.

The Cline Center does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.