More Evidence of Abortion’s Negative Impact on Mental Health
By: Victor Nieves, originally published September 25, 2025, Life Issues Institute/News
Those in the abortion industry have long peddled the lie that abortion does not negatively impact mental health. Despite their claims, we have a growing body of evidence that highlights the lived experiences of countless women and men who attest to the devastating mental impact of abortion.
Recently, a new study was released in the International Journal of Women’s Health Care. The study titled, “Persistent Emotional Distress after Abortion in the United States” further exposes the truth that Planned Parenthood and others seek to hide.
The study reports a population representative survey of 226 post-abortive women ages 40-45 at an average of twenty years following the abortion.
Some of the study’s key findings:
- Of the estimated 31 million post-abortive women in the United States, about 7.5 million suffer from serious post-abortion distress.
- Approximately 3.4 million women show multiple symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
- Even decades after their abortion many women continue to struggle with grief, regret, and emotional distress.
- Women considering an abortion should be informed of the possibility that they may experience
persistent emotional distress. - Clinicians should develop robust screening procedures to identify patients at high risk of mental health harm or emotional distress.
If the abortion industry were concerned about the women they claim to serve, they would find these results deeply troubling.
Abortion is not an easy fix or a way out of a difficult situation. Rather, it takes the life of an innocent child in the womb and leaves lasting scars on those involved.
As mentioned, this new study is far from the only piece of evidence that highlights the emotional trauma men and women face following an abortion.
Other studies, like Induced abortion and implications for long-term mental health: a cohort study of 1.2 million pregnancies, found that “rates of mental health-related hospitalization were higher following induced abortions.” As well as, “abortion was associated with hospitalization for psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, and suicide attempts.”
On our podcast and radio show Straight Talk on Life Issues, we have shared the true stories of women and men who have personally felt the emotional pain and suffering that comes with abortion.
Despite the truth, pro-abortion advocates still lie to women.
The Guttmacher Institute has a dedicated webpage titled, “Still True: Abortion Does Not Increase Women’s Risk of Mental Health Problems.” The American Psychiatric Association website claims, “simply put, abortion does not lead to mental health harm..” While it is true that there will be some women and men who get an abortion and do not face serious negative mental health issues, for millions of women and men that is not the case.
When the abortion industry shares these lies, they look into the eyes of millions of suffering women and men and tell them that their life stories are not true. They dismiss the real lived experiences of those who are suffering from the emotional trauma of abortion while ushering more men and women along a path to devastation.
The trauma that follows in the wake of abortion is a testament to how evil it is. Taking the life of an innocent child is not a solution. It is not a cure. It is not a choice. It is murder. If more women and men were informed of the lasting traumatic impact abortion may have in their lives, many would choose life.
For those who are suffering in the wake of an abortion, there is hope and healing available. We are happy to help connect you with healing programs like SaveOne, Rachel’s Vineyard, and Not Forgotten Ministries.
As the abortion industry continues to lie, we will continue to protect both babies and their parents from the evils of abortion.
Defending Life,
Victor Nieves
Victor Nieves is a prolife activist, journalist, podcast host at The Gateway Pundit, and author of the book “Conservative Prudence.”