New study reveals impact of induced abortion on mental health

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this guest post are solely those of the author.

While some studies suggest there are no significant long-term negative psychological effects from abortion, a more recent study is contradicting those precepts.

Key Takeaways:

• The prevailing narrative has been that abortion has essentially no negative effects on women.

• A new, large study from Canada is challenging that narrative, with statistically significant results suggesting that abortion can indeed negatively impact mental health.

• Healthcare providers and pregnant women should be made aware of the potential mental health risks that may occur after elective abortion.

The Backstory:

Proponents of abortion often present the procedure as a simple medical intervention with minimal or no lasting psychological consequences, often downplaying potential negative mental health impacts. 

This narrative suggests that abortion is an easy solution to an unwanted pregnancy, implying a quick recovery without significant long-term effects on mental well-being. Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in America, claims that, “Over 95% of people who have had abortions say that they mostly felt relief after their abortion.” Similarly, the American Psychological Association has concluded, from older data, that there is no credible evidence that abortion causes mental health problems. 

The Details:

A new study, published July 2025 in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, was a a retrospective cohort study of 28,721 induced abortions and 1,228,807 births in hospitals of Quebec, Canada. These investigators compared outcomes after induced abortion compared with other pregnancies; the outcome was hospitalization for a psychiatric disorder, substance use disorder, or suicide attempt over time. They followed patients up to 17 years after the end of pregnancy to identify mental health-related hospitalizations. 

This research, which analyzed anonymized health records, found a statistically significant increase in admissions for conditions such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the 12 months following the procedure, compared to a control group who did not undergo abortion and a group who carried their pregnancies to term. 

Most alarmingly, the study controlled for pre-existing mental health conditions and socio-economic factors – suggesting that the abortion itself may be a contributing factor to the observed increase in hospitalization rates. 

Main highlights of the July 2025 study of 1.2 million pregnancies:

• Mental health hospitalization rates are higher after abortion than deliveries.

• Risk is elevated for psychiatric disorders, substance use, and suicide attempts.

• Patients with preexisting mental illness or age <25 years are most at risk.

• Risk of mental disorders is greatest within five years of abortion.

• Risk of most mental disorders disappears 17 years after an abortion.

These results are not in isolation.

Other Studies

A published study from April 2025 described results from a random sample of 1,925 women aged 41 to 45 who completed a survey in which respondents rated the degree to which they experienced emotional responses following abortion. 

In this analysis, among women with a history of abortion (n=409), negative emotions were reported more intensely than relief. Relief was the predominant emotion only among the 29.8% of women whose abortions were freely wanted and consistent with their own values and preferences. For all other groups, relief was low and negative emotions were more prominent. 

Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2011 also concluded that women who underwent abortion had a higher risk of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, compared to those who carried their pregnancies to term or had never been pregnant. As stated by the authors in their final conclusions, “Calling into question the conclusions from traditional reviews, the results revealed a moderate to highly increased risk of mental health problems after abortion. Consistent with the tenets of evidence-based medicine, this information should inform the delivery of abortion services”. 

Contributing Factors

Several factors may contribute to the observed mental health impacts. Pre-existing mental health conditions are a significant predictor of post-abortion psychological distress. Individuals with a history of depression, anxiety, or trauma may be more vulnerable to negative emotional responses following an abortion. Furthermore, societal stigma and lack of social support can worsen feelings of isolation and distress. 

The Bottom Line:

Healthcare providers and pregnant women should be aware of the potential for increased psychiatric hospitalization rates following elective abortion. 

This new data is concerning and contradicts previous assertions that abortion is “risk-free” from a mental health standpoint. Although this new published data is eye-opening, it is not surprising that major news outlets failed to cover the story. 

As an OB/GYN physician, I feel it is in our ethical duty to get this information out to the public.

Bio: Hector O. Chapa, M.D. is an OBGYN and Diplomate for the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.