Women who have abortions are not at greater risk to their mental health: "It depends on many factors that vary from case to case."

Elective abortion is, once again, at the center of political attention. Last week, the Madrid City Council plenary session approved a Vox proposal requiring the municipal government to "provide mandatory, verbal and written, permanent and visible information on 'post-abortion syndrome'" in City Hall care centers. Shortly after, the government led by Pedro Sánchez expressed its intention to reform the Constitution to include this right.

In the context of the first of these movements, the concept of "post-abortion syndrome" occupies a key place, as it is a complication with no scientific basis and not included in any medical or clinical manual. So much so that hours after the proposal was approved, the mayor of Madrid himself, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, backtracked, stating that "it is not supported by scientific evidence," that "it is not a recognized scientific category," and that " no woman will be forced to receive any type of information on post-abortion trauma."

For her part, Health Minister Mónica García announced the following day that her department would consider legal action if Madrid City Council professionals "misinform" women. In this regard, García was clear: "It doesn't exist as a clinical diagnosis," she said, comparing the proposal to the "harassment of women at the doors of clinics."

"It depends on factors that vary in each case."

This is confirmed by psychotherapist Yaiza Morales Pareja, who explains that "the diagnosis described in this way does not exist."

"Of course, voluntary abortion can have psychological consequences," she continues, although she emphasizes that "this isn't a strict rule . It depends on each woman and her experiences, her biography, the reasons that led her to make the decision, her environment, and a host of other factors that vary from case to case."

And he adds: "In fact, I would say that the same consequences could also occur when one decides not to terminate a pregnancy , once again depending on the motivation behind that decision."

Unwanted pregnancy and psychiatric problems

It's not that the so-called "post-abortion syndrome" is precisely a phenomenon worth studying. There is abundant literature on the subject , and virtually all serious studies with acceptable methodology have reached the same conclusion: women with an unwanted pregnancy are equally likely to suffer from mental health problems whether they have an abortion voluntarily or not.

This is evident, for example, from a report published by the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges of the United Kingdom in 2011, which reviews a large volume of research on the topic, paying attention to its methodological quality. Among other things, it also finds that an unwanted pregnancy does increase the likelihood of suffering from psychiatric disorders, regardless of how it is resolved, and that the most important predictor of the risk of mental health problems after an abortion is a personal history of these conditions.

And, in any case, according to this study, the factors associated with a higher risk of mental health problems specifically after an abortion were related to issues within the social and personal context of the person having the abortion, such as pressure from their partner or a history of negative attitudes toward abortion in general.

"Pressure against abortion is also harmful."

Yaiza Morales also agrees that "pressure not to have an abortion can also be harmful , as long as it goes against the person's wishes. Ultimately, it's a form of coercion."

"An abortion can be unpleasant, uncomfortable, unbearable ... or just the opposite," she adds. "It depends on many different factors for each person."

In this regard, the psychotherapist maintains that to best cope with the process , "good support and guidance , both psychological or psychotherapeutic and personal," is essential.

"Even from the innermost circle," he emphasizes. "Having a good safety net of people around you will always help you manage things better."

References

Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (2011). Induced Abortion and Mental Health - A systematic review of the mental health outcomes of induced abortion, including their prevalence and associated factors. Viewed online at https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/nccmh/nccmh---induced-abortion-and-mental-health---systematic-review---2011.pdf?sfvrsn=c7a00ded_3 on October 6, 2025.

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