Is “Post-Abortion Syndrome” a Real Condition?

Many people, especially pro-choice advocates, often deny the reality and impact of abortion. As a result, those who have suffered grief post-abortion are often unacknowledged or dismissed.[1] Truthfully, it is difficult to support such a gruesome act and acknowledge its full impact on a woman. In reality, many women have reported feeling negative emotions afterward. Take one example from a pro-choice comedian, Grace Campbell, who shares her experience: “After an intense seven weeks, post-abortion, the bleeding had finally stopped. But the persistent crying, self-hatred and grief followed me everywhere I went.” She also confides that she was nervous to talk about her experience “because I’ve been so afraid my words would be misunderstood or worse, I would come across as anti-choice.”[2]

Pro-choice advocates downplay the intensity of these experiences, and say, “People often do experience intense emotions just before and immediately after having an abortion. But experts haven’t found any evidence to suggest these emotions linger or have a lasting impact on mental health.”[3] Woman’s Health Options explicitly states, “Remember that these emotions are normal and probably due to the changing hormones” and, “Those opposed to abortion claim there is a condition called post abortion stress syndrome (PASS) which they say is similar to PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). PASS is not a real psychological condition and is not recognized by any psychological collages in North America.”[4] (typo included).

It is true that there is a lack of research supporting an “official diagnosis” of the “Post-Abortion Syndrome.” One rarely discussed problem in acquiring scientific research on this topic is the high dropout rate of women from scientific studies.[5] The debate over whether induced abortion affects a woman’s mental health has unfortunately developed into a politically charged one. We have no wish to diminish how these women feel, and believe that it really can be as impactful as many have shared. Women have the right to know that this permanent decision may affect them far into the future. 

The symptoms listed here are only a few of what some women experience after an abortion. These “inconclusive” studies have shown a correlation between abortion and an increase or onset of mental health problems. Although correlation does not equal causation, it provides good reason for further inquiry on how abortion objectively impacts mothers. For example, the correlation of suicide rates was controversially found to be significantly higher for those who have had an abortion versus those who carried a pregnancy to term. Even after removing cases with previous psychiatric history, the relative risk of suicide actually increased among women who have had an abortion compared with women who delivered their babies.[6] 

Although not acknowledged by all, this evidence shows that women can experience grief, suicidal thoughts, and sadness after an abortion. These symptoms should be addressed, not downplayed or ignored, by health professionals. Women have the right to be informed about the potential long-term emotional impact of this permanent decision, and further research is needed to better understand and support those affected. 

References 

[1] Lanfranchi, Angela, Ian Gentles, and Elizabeth Ring-Cassidy, Complications: Abortion’s Impact on Women (deVeber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research, 2013), 12.

[2] Campbell, Grace, Hope Lawrie, and Charley McEwen, “I Felt Entirely Alone: Comedian Grace Campbell on the Aftermath of Her Abortion,” The Guardian, June 9, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jun/09/i-felt-entirely-alone-comedian-grace-campbell-on-the-aftermath-of-her-abortion. Accessed September 26, 2024.

[3] Nwadike, Valinda Riggins, “Post-Abortion Syndrome: Is It Real?” Healthline, June 11, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/post-abortion-syndrome#real-or-fake. Accessed September 26, 2024.

[4]   “Mood Changes,” Woman’s Health Options. https://womanshealthoptions.com/emotional-support/mood-changes/. Accessed September 26, 2024 [typo included].

[5]   Lanfranchi, Gentles, and Ring-Cassidy, 254.

[6] Lafranchi, Gentles, and Ring-Cassidy, 282.