Abortion puts women at risk of mental health problems

Mar 23 2008

The Royal College of Psychiatrists says having an abortion may place some women at risk of developing mental health problems.

The college has changed its position on how terminating a pregnancy affects women as a result of new research.

Prior to the new evidence the college maintained that the risk of psychological problems that come from following through with the pregnancy outweighed those of having an abortion.

That there may be mental health consequences as a result of terminations represents a major review and shift in the college's position, which was last reviewed in 1994.

At that time the leading group of doctors stated that the risks of mental health problems in women who have abortions were much less than those who proceeded with a pregnancy.

The college now says the 'specific issue of whether or not induced abortion has harmful effects on women's mental health remains to be fully resolved'.

The college says current research is inconclusive and some studies indicate no evidence of harm, whilst other studies identify a range of mental disorders following abortion.

The college suggests women who seek an abortion should undergo counselling if doctors have concern for their mental health and information leaflets for women considering having abortions may need to include this new advice.

Anti-abortion groups point out that thousands of abortions have been carried out allegedly because of the mental ill health of the mother and many women will have been traumatised and suffer further mental ill health as a result of an abortion.

Recent research by scientists in New Zealand has shown that women who had an abortion had increased rates of severe depression compared with women who gave birth - were twice as likely to drink alcohol to dangerous levels and three times as likely to be dependent on illicit drugs.

Those who had an abortion also suffered elevated rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviours.

Anti-abortion groups are calling for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists to consider adopting a similar position on abortion as the Royal College of Psychiatrists.