Significant link between abortion and mental health issues in women, new study finds.

A new study from Canada has found a significant association between induced abortion and an increased risk of mental health issues in women, particularly within the first year following the procedure.

The research, published in Journal of Psychiatric Research in July 2025, analysed over 1.2 million pregnancies in Quebec hospitals, including 28,721 abortions.

The study followed women for up to 17 years after the pregnancy, tracking hospital admissions for psychiatric disorders, substance use, and suicide attempts.

The results indicate that women who had an abortion were more likely to be hospitalised for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly within five years of the abortion.

The risk was greatest among women under the age of 25 and those with pre-existing mental health conditions.

Researchers noted that the increase in mental health-related hospitalisations remained statistically significant even after accounting for socio-economic factors and prior mental illness, suggesting a possible link between the abortion experience itself and the development of these conditions.

Although the risk diminished over time and disappeared after 17 years, the findings raise concerns about the short- and medium-term mental health impact of abortion.

The study stands in contrast to earlier research, which suggested abortion does not lead to long-term psychological harm.

Organisations such as Planned Parenthood and the American Psychological Association have maintained that the majority of women report relief, not regret, after an abortion.

However, this new data suggests the emotional response may be more complex, especially among younger women or those with a history of mental health struggles.

Additional research published in 2025 supports these findings. A national survey of women aged 41–45 found that negative emotions were more prevalent than relief in the majority of abortion cases.

Only a small proportion of women, whose abortions were freely chosen and consistent with their values, reported relief as the primary emotion.

A 2011 meta-analysis similarly concluded that abortion was associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse compared to carrying a pregnancy to term.

The findings have prompted calls for greater awareness among healthcare professionals and patients regarding potential post-abortion mental health risks.