Did you know that there is actually no evidence that induced abortion affects your mental health? On the contrary, stigma, social prejudice and lack of access to abortion have been found to be factors that can trigger emotional distress in some people who terminate their pregnancies.
Many stigmas and myths surround abortion, one of them is the myth of mental health consequences after having an abortion, as well as the existence of a “post-abortion syndrome”. If you have heard about it and have doubts about what it is and if it represents risks to your mental health, here we tell you.
The first thing you should know is that, in recent years, several studies have shown that the “post-abortion syndrome” is false. have shown that the “postabortion syndrome” is false, because when abortion is performed under safe, legal, informed conditions and with proper techniques, there are no negative consequences on overall health, including mental health.
While some people may experience feelings of tension and stress after abortion, these feelings fade over time. Evidence shows that those who decided to terminate their pregnancy first felt a sense of relief and control over their lives and bodies. Here are some testimonials: Safe abortion, from the voices of women who used medication..
Unfortunately, not everyone can have a positive abortion experience, because in contexts where conditions are unsafe, there is criminalization, stigma and marked gender stereotypes (such as the mandate of motherhood), which prevent them from making free and informed decisions, the experiences become negative and can affect mental health.
There are also those who have a diagnosis of depression (pre-existing condition). People who have this condition prior to terminating the pregnancy may continue to experience symptoms of depression during and after the procedure.
In conclusion, abortion as a medical procedure does not leave sequelae, except in very specific situations, such as those mentioned above. Learn more at abortion and mental health.
On the other hand, there are situations linked to social norms and gender violence that do affect mental health:
– Forcing people to continue with an unwanted pregnancy, forcing motherhood.
– Gender stereotypes about motherhood. Phrases such as “all women want to be mothers”, “what a bad person, you had no maternal instinct”.
– Misinformation and myths about abortion. Phrases such as “when you want to get pregnant you won’t be able to”, “you may become infertile”, “you will die, it is an unsafe procedure”.
– Abortion processes where women and people with gestational capacity are questioned, judged and violated, both by health personnel and by their environment.
– Unsafe procedures, lack of information and lack of knowledge on the part of health professionals.
– The criminalization of abortion that persecutes, judges and sentences those who decide to have an abortion and those who assist them.
In these environments where people experience complicated and adverse situations to access a safe abortion, it is of utmost importance to have support according to the needs of each person, depending on their context; it can be with the attention of a mental health professional or through support networks, such as friends, family and networks of abortion escorts.
If you would like to learn about escort networks in your country and how to contact them, please visit our interactive abortion access map.
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