phn number

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 Are the Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

Wondering if you might be pregnant? If you’re sexually active and haven’t gone through menopause, there’s a chance you could be pregnant.  Here are the most commonly reported signs of an early pregnancy to consider.  Missed Period Missing your monthly period is a classic sign of pregnancy. But, if your cycles are spotty or irregular,

I Don’t Want to Be Pregnant. Is Abortion My Only Option?

Are you experiencing an unexpected pregnancy? Rates of accidental pregnancies are on the rise, so know you are not alone in this struggle.  Women who don’t wish to continue their pregnancy have options: abortion, adoption, safe surrender, or parenting.  Take a few minutes to explore these options below and see which one suits your situation

How Can I Recover Emotionally After an Abortion?

Abortion is a big decision, and although some women feel relief after the procedure, others struggle emotionally and develop long-term mental health issues.  If you’ve had an abortion and are having difficulty coping, know there is hope. Many resources, including your local pregnancy clinic, have post-abortion recovery services to help you during this journey.  What

Accurate information so you can make an empowered choice.