When life takes an unexpected turn, it can feel difficult to slow down and sort through everything at once. A positive pregnancy test often brings questions that extend beyond medical details and timelines, touching on emotions, values, and long-term well-being. If abortion is something you’re considering, it’s natural to wonder how it could affect your mental and emotional health.
You deserve space to explore those questions without pressure or assumptions. FirstLook Pregnancy Center offers free, confidential pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and options consultations in a respectful, supportive environment. Our team helps individuals gather accurate information and reflect on how different choices may affect them emotionally, mentally, and practically.
Reach out to FirstLook Pregnancy Center today to schedule a visit and talk with a caring, trained team member.
Emotional Experiences Are Personal and Varied
Understanding how abortion can affect mental health is complex, and research findings are not always uniform. Some large reviews and population-based studies have identified associations between abortion and certain mental health challenges, while other research has found minimal or no long-term effects for many individuals.
For example, a 2024 review reported higher rates of depression and anxiety among women who had abortions, with some studies also noting associations with post-traumatic stress symptoms and substance use.
A widely cited 2011 meta-analysis found that women who had abortions showed a higher relative risk of mental health concerns, including an increased likelihood of reported suicidal thoughts, compared to women who had not had abortions or who carried pregnancies to term.
More recently, a 2025 population-based study from Canada examined nearly 27,000 abortions and over 1.2 million births. The researchers found that, for five or more years following the pregnancy outcome, women who had abortions were more likely to be hospitalized for mental health-related reasons than those who had live births or stillbirths.
Emotional responses vary widely, and factors such as prior mental health history, personal values, relationship circumstances, social support, and life stressors all play a significant role in how someone processes the experience.
Mental Health and Risk Factors to Consider
The APA’s 2008 review notes that certain circumstances may increase the likelihood of emotional difficulty following an abortion. These can include feeling pressured by others, experiencing conflict with personal values or beliefs, lacking a supportive network, or having a history of mental health challenges or trauma.
Seeking counseling, talking with a trusted healthcare provider, or speaking with a trained consultant can help you process emotions and identify support that fits your needs.
If you haven’t yet made a decision about abortion, considering the potential mental health impacts is an important element of making an informed choice.
Support Can Make a Difference
At FirstLook Pregnancy Center, trained staff provide factual information and compassionate support so individuals can consider their next steps thoughtfully and at their own pace.
If you’re asking yourself how abortion might affect your mental health, schedule a free, confidential appointment to explore your questions in a judgment-free setting.
Firstlook Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.