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What Are the Mental Health Effects of Abortion?

Are you struggling with an unexpected pregnancy and unsure of the best way to move forward? Maybe you’ve been thinking about abortion and wondering if that’s the right solution to your dilemma.

If this is you, understanding the side effects of an abortion may help you feel more confident in whatever you decide for your pregnancy. The physical effects of an abortion are commonly discussed, but did you know a small percentage of women will experience significant mental health effects as well?

What Is An Abortion?

An abortion is a medical or surgical procedure that terminates a pregnancy.

Medical abortions utilize the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone stops the pregnancy from growing, while misoprostol causes strong uterine contractions to expel the pregnancy.

A surgical abortion is performed by gently opening the cervix and extracting the pregnancy via forceps or a vacuum device.

The type of abortion needed is determined by how far along the pregnancy is and certain health factors related to the mother.

The Mental Health Effects Following Abortion

A 2018 study conducted by the American Psychological Association revealed that abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness for some women. Another study defined these problems to include depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviors, and substance use disorders.

In both studies, the occurrence of mental health problems following an abortion was only seen in a small percentage of women studied.

A Deeper Dive

Research suggests that women who have a history of mental illness are at higher risk of developing issues after an abortion. If that’s you, talking to a healthcare professional about your health history before scheduling an abortion may help your recovery process.

Finding Support

You Medical offers women a safe place to talk about their unplanned pregnancy and sexual health concerns. Our center offers no-cost pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and treatment for a variety of sexually transmitted infections and diseases.

We’re here for you. Call us at 509-491-1101 to book your appointment today!

Know my status.
Know my options.

KNOW THE FACTS

Know my status.
Know my options.

KNOW THE FACTS

What to Know If You’re Considering an Abortion

Deciding how to handle an unintended pregnancy is overwhelming. Not only are you thinking about today, but you’re looking down the road to your future. The good news is you have options.  If you’re considering abortion, knowing what you qualify for, how the various methods work, and what you need to do beforehand is essential.

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

The first step to determining if you’re pregnant is taking a pregnancy test. There are two types of tests: urine and blood.  You Medical offers confidential urine pregnancy testing at no cost to you. A licensed medical staff member administers our tests so you can be confident you’re getting accurate results. Schedule an appointment today.

Are STIs Contagious?

Unfortunately, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are highly contagious. They are most often passed through sexual contact, such as unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has an STI. You can also contract an STI like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C through unsterile body piercings or tattooing equipment. STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV,

Accurate information so you can make an empowered choice.