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| Abortion 'does not raise' mental health risk | Abortion 'does not raise' mental health risk |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| By Jane Dreaper Health correspondent, BBC News | By Jane Dreaper Health correspondent, BBC News |
| Abortion does not raise the risk of a woman suffering mental health problems, a major review by experts concludes. | Abortion does not raise the risk of a woman suffering mental health problems, a major review by experts concludes. |
| Data from 44 studies showed women with an unwanted pregnancy have a higher incidence of mental health problems in general. | 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. | 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. | But anti-abortion campaigners said the review sought to "minimise" the psychological effect of terminating a pregnancy. |
| 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. | 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 work - funded by the Department of Health - came after concerns that abortion may adversely affect a woman's mental health. | The work - funded by the Department of Health - came after concerns that abortion may adversely affect a woman's mental health. |
| Usually, a woman's risk of suffering common disorders such as anxiety or depression would be around 11-12%. | Usually, a woman's risk of suffering common disorders such as anxiety or depression would be around 11-12%. |
| But the researchers said this rate was around three times higher in women with unwanted pregnancies. | But the researchers said this rate was around three times higher in women with unwanted pregnancies. |
| 'Equal risks' | 'Equal risks' |
| The director of NCCMH, Prof Tim Kendall, said: "It could be that these women have a mental health problem before the pregnancy. | The director of NCCMH, Prof Tim Kendall, said: "It could be that these women have a mental health problem before the pregnancy. |
| "On the other hand, it could be the unwanted pregnancy that's causing the problem. | "On the other hand, it could be the unwanted pregnancy that's causing the problem. |
| "Or both explanations could be true. We can't be absolutely sure from the studies whether that's the case - but common sense would say it's quite likely to be both. | "Or both explanations could be true. We can't be absolutely sure from the studies whether that's the case - but common sense would say it's quite likely to be both. |
| "The evidence shows though that whether these women have abortions - or go on to give birth - their risk of having mental health problems will not increase. | "The evidence shows though that whether these women have abortions - or go on to give birth - their risk of having mental health problems will not increase. |
| "They carry roughly equal risks. | "They carry roughly equal risks. |
| "We believe this is the most comprehensive and detailed review of the mental health outcomes of abortion to date worldwide." | "We believe this is the most comprehensive and detailed review of the mental health outcomes of abortion to date worldwide." |
| Prof Kendall said many previous studies had failed to adequately control for instances when women previously had mental health problems. | Prof Kendall said many previous studies had failed to adequately control for instances when women previously had mental health problems. |
| After a project which involved a three-month consultation, the researchers believe it would not "be fruitful" to carry out further studies into how pregnancies are resolved. | After a project which involved a three-month consultation, the researchers believe it would not "be fruitful" to carry out further studies into how pregnancies are resolved. |
| They say future work should concentrate on the mental health needs associated with an unwanted pregnancy. | They say future work should concentrate on the mental health needs associated with an unwanted pregnancy. |
| Support need | Support need |
| Dr Roch Cantwell, a consultant perinatal psychiatrist who chaired the steering group, said the review was called for in 2008. | Dr Roch Cantwell, a consultant perinatal psychiatrist who chaired the steering group, said the review was called for in 2008. |
| He said: "At that time, the Royal College of Psychiatrists issued a position statement saying the evidence on abortion and mental health was imperfect and conflicting. | |
| "We all recognise abortion is a very sensitive and emotive topic. Our aim was not to debate the moral and ethical issues, but to focus on the available scientific evidence." | "We all recognise abortion is a very sensitive and emotive topic. Our aim was not to debate the moral and ethical issues, but to focus on the available scientific evidence." |
| The scope of the review excluded reactions such as guilt, shame and regret - although these were considered important - and also assessments of mental state within 90 days of an abortion. | The scope of the review excluded reactions such as guilt, shame and regret - although these were considered important - and also assessments of mental state within 90 days of an abortion. |
| This was because the research was not about "transient reactions to a stressful event". | This was because the research was not about "transient reactions to a stressful event". |
| Sophie Corlett, director of external relations at the mental health charity Mind, said: "It is important that medical professionals are given the correct information to provide support for all women, but particularly those with a pre-existing history of mental health problems. | Sophie Corlett, director of external relations at the mental health charity Mind, said: "It is important that medical professionals are given the correct information to provide support for all women, but particularly those with a pre-existing history of mental health problems. |
| "This study makes it absolutely clear that this group is at the greatest risk of developing post-pregnancy mental health problems and should be given extra support in light of this." | "This study makes it absolutely clear that this group is at the greatest risk of developing post-pregnancy mental health problems and should be given extra support in light of this." |
| Dr Kate Guthrie, speaking for RCOG, said: "Abortion, including aftercare, is an essential part of women's healthcare services, alongside access to contraception and family planning information." | Dr Kate Guthrie, speaking for RCOG, said: "Abortion, including aftercare, is an essential part of women's healthcare services, alongside access to contraception and family planning information." |
| And, in a statement the sexual health charities FPA and Brook said: "This review of evidence will reassure women who have had or are thinking about having an abortion that it's a safe procedure with no direct impact on their mental health." | |
| 'False belief' | 'False belief' |
| However, a spokeswoman for the ProLife Alliance said: "Once again the politics of abortion blinds those who should be rigorously objective in assessing epidemiological evidence. | However, a spokeswoman for the ProLife Alliance said: "Once again the politics of abortion blinds those who should be rigorously objective in assessing epidemiological evidence. |
| "This is a pick-and-mix report trying to minimise the psychological effects of termination of pregnancy in a way which does our so-called medical experts little credit." | "This is a pick-and-mix report trying to minimise the psychological effects of termination of pregnancy in a way which does our so-called medical experts little credit." |
| And Dr Peter Saunders, chief executive of the Christian Medical Fellowship, said: "This new review shows that abortion does not improve mental health outcomes for women with unplanned pregnancies, despite 98% of the 200,000 abortions being carried out in this country each year on mental health grounds. | And Dr Peter Saunders, chief executive of the Christian Medical Fellowship, said: "This new review shows that abortion does not improve mental health outcomes for women with unplanned pregnancies, despite 98% of the 200,000 abortions being carried out in this country each year on mental health grounds. |
| "This means that when doctors authorise abortions in order to protect a woman's mental health they are doing so on the basis of a false belief not supported by the medical evidence. | "This means that when doctors authorise abortions in order to protect a woman's mental health they are doing so on the basis of a false belief not supported by the medical evidence. |
| "In other words the vast majority of abortions in this country are technically illegal." | "In other words the vast majority of abortions in this country are technically illegal." |
| Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: "We are pleased to see the conclusions of this important review. | Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: "We are pleased to see the conclusions of this important review. |
| "The findings will be one of the many sources of information that we will use to inform our sexual health document that will be published next year. | "The findings will be one of the many sources of information that we will use to inform our sexual health document that will be published next year. |
| "What is clear is that having an unwanted pregnancy has implications for people's mental health and wellbeing." | "What is clear is that having an unwanted pregnancy has implications for people's mental health and wellbeing." |