I Already Have Mental Health Problems. Could Abortion Make It Worse?

February 25, 2025

You might have heard about the physical risks of abortion (like infection, uterine damage, etc.), but did you know that abortion can have a detrimental effect on your mental health—and it can also complicate or trigger pre-existing mental health conditions?

This is why it’s so important to learn all you can about abortion and take into account your mental health history and current situation. 

At Choices, we want you to be as informed as possible. We believe that all too often, it can be difficult for women to find truthful information about how abortion works and how it might impact your health—which is why we’ve compiled the top things you need to know. 

Read on to learn more, or contact our office today to schedule a free, confidential appointment to speak with one of our caring team members. We’ve been in your shoes and are here to support you every step of the way.

The Link Between Abortion and Mental Health Complications

The data is in: According to a study looking at the link between abortion and mental health complications, it’s evident that some women experience depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol addiction, thoughts of suicide, or a worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions. 

And you’re more likely to experience a mental health complication after abortion if you:

• Have a pre-existing mental health condition
• Felt at all pressured into the abortion
• Had an abortion even though it conflicted with your moral beliefs or desire to parent

Factors to Consider When Thinking About Abortion

Do you know all you can about how abortion works and what might happen during the process? 

Many women have been coming forward to talk about how they wish they had been more informed before choosing an abortion, and some feel outright lied to by their healthcare provider. 

For example, did you know that: 

• You might experience pain that’s “out of this world”? While women are told that the pain they’ll face after taking the abortion pill will be similar to period cramping, this simply isn’t true for all women.
• You might see the embryo or fetus after it has been expelled from your uterus. Many women are told “not to look” at their sanitary pads after taking the medical abortion drugs because, depending on the age of the pregnancy, the embryo or fetus will present with arms, legs, and the features of a formed baby. 
• You might regret your abortion decision days, weeks, or even years later. Many women report feeling regret after an abortion, but this feeling doesn’t always present right away. Sometimes, getting pregnant again, seeing babies, or hearing about abortion can trigger abortion regret—especially if the abortion experience was traumatic or a woman felt pressured into the decision. 

If you have pre-existing mental health conditions, the above factors can aggravate them. 

Why Learning All You Can Is Essential 

While there’s a lot of misinformation floating around online about abortion, one thing’s clear: learning all you can about your options is critical. At Choices, we’re here to help.

We provide a safe space where you can learn medically-accurate, honest information about abortion, adoption, and parenting—and we also give you the time to make sure all your questions are answered. 

At Choices, we care deeply about your mental and physical health and want to ensure that you make the pregnancy choice that’s right for you. 

Before making a pregnancy decision, contact us today for a free, confidential appointment. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.