After any medical procedure, there are often things you need to avoid during the recovery process. So, if you’ve had an abortion, you may be wondering what you need to avoid, such as sexual activity.
Today we’ll explore whether you can have sex after an abortion. Keep reading to learn more.
How Long After An Abortion Can You Have Sex?
Always speak with a qualified healthcare provider to determine specific post-abortive guidelines.
After taking the abortion pill, women should abstain from sex for two to three weeks to prevent infection and because bleeding can last for up to four weeks.1 After a surgical abortion, healthcare providers will evaluate women and clear them for activity. All women should ensure that they have follow-up after an abortion.
How Long After Abortion Can You Get Pregnant?
On average, women can ovulate three weeks after an abortion2, even if they’re still bleeding. If a woman has sex around that time, there is a chance she could get pregnant again.
Does Abortion Affect Your Relationships?
Some women report a decrease in their sexual drive after an abortion3, which can affect their relationship with their partners. Some women may experience grief, anxiety, and depression after an abortion4, whether immediately or years later.
If you’re facing difficult emotions after an abortion, Abortion Recovery Alabama is here to help. Our after-abortion support group is a safe place to unpack all of the pain you’ve been carrying and find healing from your abortion experience.
Ready to join one of our support groups? Click here to get started!
I’m Pregnant Again After a Recent Abortion. What Should I Do?
If you’ve become pregnant again after a recent abortion, your first step is to receive an ultrasound! This will determine your:
- Estimated gestational age. Gestational age (how far along you are in pregnancy) can be estimated based on a woman’s last menstrual period, but an ultrasound is the most exact way to determine the gestational age.5 This is important to know, as the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period.6
- Location of the pregnancy. An ultrasound also can show if the pregnancy is inside the uterus. A small number of pregnancies form outside the uterus, known as ectopic pregnancies. Not only can they be life-threatening, but abortion is not the proper way to treat them.7
- Viability of pregnancy. Almost 10-20% of known pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and almost 80% of those occur within the first three months of pregnancy.8
If you find out that you’re experiencing either an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage through an ultrasound, you can move forward with the appropriate medical care.
After-Abortion Support Groups in Alabama and Online
Navigating life, emotions, and relationships after an abortion can be lonely and painful. That’s why we offer a safe space to talk about your experiences without judgment and shame—because no one should have to walk this road alone.
Give us a call at (205) 894-2868 to learn more about our after-abortion support groups! A kindhearted facilitator will call you and tell you more so that you can move toward freedom. Support groups are located in various locations in Alabama. You can also participate virtually.
Please be aware that Abortion Recovery Alabama does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Medical Abortion. (2024). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion
- Schreiber, C. A., Sober, S., Ratcliffe, S., & Creinin, M. D. (2011). Ovulation resumption after medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol. Contraception, 84(3), 230–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2011.01.013
- Coleman, P. K., Rue, V. M., & Coyle, C. T. (2009). Induced abortion and intimate relationship quality in the Chicago Health and Social Life Survey. Public health, 123(4), 331–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2009.01.005
- Shuping, M., & Shaler, L. (2017). Abortion and Women’s Mental Health. CounselEd (3)11. https://www.scstatehouse.gov/CommitteeInfo/SenateMedicalAffairsCommittee/Shuping%20_Shaler_2017_Abortion_and_Mental_Health.pdf
- Ultrasound in Pregnancy. (2022). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy
- FDA. (2023, September 1). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
- Ibid.
- Miscarriage. (2022). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9688-miscarriage