The Seen and Unseen Effects of an Abortion

When we think of abortion, we often compare it to something like a knee replacement or having tonsils removed – focusing on the physical aspects, the visible effects. We think about how sore you might feel, how your body needs to recover. But rarely do we hear about the unseen effects, particularly the mental recovery. Today, we aim to raise awareness about both the visible and invisible impacts of abortion.

The Visible Effects of Abortion The visible effects of abortion are what most people think about. These physical symptoms can include:

• Fatigue

• Soreness or tenderness

• Nausea

• Bleeding or hemorrhaging

• Cramping

• Diarrhea

• Muscle pain

• 
  

These effects are common after many types of medical procedures. We know the discomfort will pass over time, and sometimes medications can speed up recovery. That doesn’t mean the physical pain should be minimized – it’s real, and it can be intense. But the healing process can look very different when we talk about the unseen effects.

The Unseen Effects of Abortion Just as everyone experiences physical pain in their own way, the unseen effects of abortion can vary greatly. We each process life events differently. Some women bounce back emotionally just as quickly as they do physically after an abortion, but this is not the case for everyone. More and more women are speaking up about the mental toll abortion has taken on them and the invisible recovery they’ve gone through. Some of the unseen effects include:

• Depression

• Emotional numbness

• Anxiety, including anniversary anxiety

• Isolation

• Anger

• Guilt

Many women are told that abortion is a quick process, but this is only true when we focus on the visible recovery. The mental healing, the invisible pain, can take much longer. This is increasingly recognized as post-abortion stress syndrome (PASS), a form of PTSD that is gaining credibility in the medical community. For a long time, women who experienced PASS were dismissed or told that their struggles were unrelated to their abortion. Thankfully, this narrative is changing.

The Consequences of Ignoring PTSD

It’s common to try to lock painful experiences away in our minds. But trauma can manifest as PTSD, and ignoring it can lead to issues that are not always obvious, such as:

• Substance abuse

• Chronic pain

• Self-harm

• Sleep disturbances

These are all signs that it’s time to reach out to someone – a family member, a friend, a support group, or a counselor. There is no shame in struggling with these challenges, but addressing them early can prevent long-term harm.

Healing is Possible Through Time During periods of depression or anxiety, it’s easy to feel isolated. But the truth is, there are others who understand your journey. Women who have gone through this same healing process. It’s never too late to ask for support, and it’s never too late to begin healing. We offer a post-abortion recovery group, please contact our office for more information. We hold multiple classes throughout the year in a small-group format. We are here for you.

If you need to talk to someone or get connected to resources, call Pregnancy Care Center of Grants Pass at (541) 479-6264. We’re an accredited medical center committed to supporting women and men in our community. All of our services are completely free and confidential.