Recent research out of Quebec, spanning over a million women from 2006–2022, confirms what pro-life advocates have long argued: abortion isn’t only a grave moral issue because it ends innocent life, but it also correlates with serious harm to women. Compared with women who carried pregnancies to term or experienced stillbirths, those who had induced abortions showed significantly increased risks of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide attempts—even after adjusting for age, preexisting mental health conditions, socio-economic status, and rural vs. urban residence.
Furthermore, another study focused on chemical abortions—medications like mifepristone—found that approximately 11% of women who used it within 45 days experienced serious adverse events. That rate is about 22 times greater than the “less than 0.5% serious-complication” rate cited on the FDA label.
If abortion really were primarily about protecting women’s health, as its defenders often claim, these findings would lead to calls for stricter regulation and limits. Instead, advocates continue to insist on broad, unrestricted access—despite evidence of substantial risks. This silence reminds us that abortion isn’t “just a health” issue at all, but central to a worldview that worships personal autonomy above every other value.
One striking conversation involves a student at Michigan State who expressed pride in supporting abortion. When asked to clarify, she said she liked that people who don’t want babies don’t have to have them, and that the foster care system isn’t overloaded. Yet she recoiled at the idea of ending lives already in foster care. The choice of language often masks deeper commitments to prioritizing convenience over human dignity.
Unfortunately, polling shows these pro-abortion ideas are resilient. From 2012 to 2022, support for the proposition “women should be able to get an abortion for any reason if she wants one” rose from 42% to 57%.
For those who take life seriously, half the battle is changing laws. The other half is changing hearts and minds: praying, caring for vulnerable women, offering support, and showing compassion. Without engaging both, even the weight of scientific studies won’t move people.
Did you know that the Republican Party hasn’t always been synonymous with the pro-life position? Phyllis Schlafly dedicated years to make this change occur! She chronicled that journey in the book How the Republican Party Became Pro Life, and we would love to send you a free copy! To get your free book, just call us at 314-721-1213, or email info@phyllisschlafly.com. You can also visit PhyllisSchlafly.com to find out how to get in touch with us and get your free copy of this book. Thank you and join us next time for the Phyllis Schlafly Report.
This post originally appeared at https://phyllisschlafly.com/family/abortion-is-dangerous-for-women/