Abortion 'does not raise' mental health risk
Abortion does not raise the risk of a woman suffering mental health problems, a major review by experts has concluded.
Experts from the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH) used the same research methods they use to assess evidence on other mental health issues for NICE.
The director of NCCMH, Prof Tim Kendall, spoke to the BBC about the findings.
Data from 44 studies showed women with an unwanted pregnancy have a higher incidence of mental health problems in general.
This is not affected by whether or not they have an abortion or give birth.
But anti-abortion campaigners said the review sought to "minimise" the psychological effect of terminating a pregnancy.
09 Dec 2011
- From the section Health