Women who have had an abortion are twice as likely to attempt suicide: study

March 5, 2025

A recent study published by the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology shows that women who have had abortions or experienced a natural loss of their baby are more likely to have attempted suicide.

The Christian Post reports that the topic-blind study surveyed 2,829 American women between ages 41 and 45 regarding their reproductive history and any past suicide attempts.

The survey was conducted by the pro-life research organization Charlotte Lozier Institute.

The study found the incidence of attempted suicide was highest among women who have undergone abortions with 35% reporting an attempt. By contrast, only 13% of women who successfully delivered their babies said that they had attempted suicide.

The research also found that women who had experienced a pregnancy loss but who had no history of abortion had a suicide attempt rate of 30%.

Women who experienced “problematic” pregnancies, which the study defined as unplanned or an “otherwise difficult pregnancy” were found to have a suicide attempt rate of roughly 28%.

According to the Christian Post, Dr. Ingrid Skop, an OB-GYN who serves as vice president and director of medical affairs at Charlotte Lozier Institute, said the data backs up earlier findings in Europe that show higher rates of suicide among women who’ve had abortions.

Skop stated, “The devastating realization that abortion may lead to a woman’s suicide must motivate the pro-life community to continue to provide resources and support to vulnerable women encountering a crisis pregnancy. We must walk with these women through their pregnancy decision and childbirth, even into the early years of their child’s life, as so many pregnancy resource centers do.” 

Skop also cast doubt on the Turnaway Study which is often cited by media outlets to promote the idea that 90% of women who have an abortion don’t regret their decision.

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