What is an abortion?

An abortion is a legal and safe way to medically terminate a pregnancy. There are two types of abortion. The first is an abortion pill, which is for pregnancy up to 11 weeks. The second is an in-clinic abortion, which is a safe and simple procedure. Talk to a medical professional to determine which is right for you, or even just to explore your options.

How common is abortion?

Abortion may seem like it is not common due the the stigma around it, but it is extremely common. 3 out of 10 women in the United States will have an abortion by the time they reach the age of 45.

Will having an abortion impact my mental health?

Though everyone reacts to experiences like this differently, there has been research that supports that having an abortion does not increase your risk for developing anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Additionally, women that do report distress or poor mental health after having an abortion often have other risk factors for mental health problems. If you have struggled with your mental health in the past, you may struggle with it again after an abortion, but it is likely not due to the abortion itself.

Typically, it has been found that women who opt for an abortion choose so because of the negative impacts that would occur if they were to keep the pregnancy. For instance, financial struggles, other children feeling neglected, poor mental health, etc. Women who feel regret are affected primarily by the stigma placed on abortions by society and low levels of support from those around them.

If you are worried about the impacts on your mental health before your abortion, or if you have had an abortion and are struggling with your mental health, reach out to a loved one or a therapist. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with a therapist, click here.

Resources

APA

Facts about abortion

Emotional Effects of Induced Abortion

Resources and finding a clinic