How long after an abortion can you have sex?
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What's the lowdown?
Bleeding after abortion (whether you have had a medical or surgical abortion), is normal, and can go on for a few weeks after you have had the procedure.
It’s safe to have sex again when you are ready, but remember that you should use contraception if you don’t want to get pregnant again.
If you are worried about the amount of bleeding or don’t feel that things are back to normal within a few weeks of an abortion, you should seek advice.
If you have had an abortion (either with pills or via an operation), you might wonder how and when to get your sex life back on track.
When can I have sex again after an abortion?
The simplest answer is that it is completely up to you! Abortion can have both a physical and emotional impact on you. So, even if you feel physically ready for sex again, make sure you are mentally ready too. So don’t rush into sex if you don’t feel ready.
After medical abortion (where you have been given pills to end the pregnancy), you may have some ongoing bleeding (like a period) for up to four weeks1. This might start and stop for a while. You might want to wait to be intimate until the bleeding has stopped, or you might not. You should decide based on what you and your partner are comfortable with.
If you have had a surgical abortion (an operation to end the pregnancy), you might be advised to wait a few weeks for sex due to a small risk of infection. This is because your cervix has been opened during the procedure and it can take a couple of weeks for it to close again. Until the cervix has fully closed, your risk of infection is slightly higher. It’s best to ask the team that did the operation for their advice.
Bleeding after sex after abortion
If you still have some bleeding 3-4 weeks after abortion, this can be expected. It shouldn’t be heavy or cause you excess pain. If you have severe pain, heavy bleeding with clots or offensive discharge please have a consultation with a doctor.
You may feel sore and uncomfortable in the first 2-3 weeks after an abortion. Light bleeding after sex is common in these first few weeks. If the bleeding is heavy you should seek medical advice. If the bleeding after abortion has stopped and you start to bleed after sex, then you should see your doctor.
Is it okay to masturbate after an abortion?
Masturbation is a perfectly normal and healthy thing to do after having an abortion. You might find masturbation useful as a form of self-care and to promote relaxation. Other people may not feel ready right away. Regardless, you can masturbate again whenever you feel ready. In fact, one of the hormones that is released when you masturbate (oxytocin) can help with any cramps that you might be feeling2. So if you’re in the mood, go ahead.
Contraception after abortion
Remember that you can get pregnant again almost immediately after an abortion3. It is important to know that you will be fertile before you have your first period. This is because you can ovulate (release an egg) within a few days of having an abortion. This is true whether you had a medical or a surgical abortion. If another pregnancy is not something that you want, then you need to think about your birth control options4.
Most methods of contraception are safe to use immediately after abortion, but this depends on your personal medical history. If you feel up to it, then the clinic that is providing your abortion can have this discussion with you. You could also discuss it with your GP or a sexual health centre.
If avoiding another pregnancy is an important priority for you then you may want to consider a long acting method of contraception such as an implant, injection, or coil.
You can learn about contraception and what might suit you best using our recommender tool.
Most women who have an abortion don’t have any complications with recovery. However, you should seek help from your abortion provider for:
- Very heavy bleeding (more than two pads soaked per hour for 2 hours)
- Severe abdominal pain or cramps not relieved by pain medication.
- Fever or chills
- Unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge
If you have any of these symptoms after an abortion then you should see a doctor urgently5 because they can be a sign of infection. Most abortion providers will have a 24 hour helpline that you can ring. Make sure you ask for this number when you have your abortion.
Remember that everyone’s recovery after abortion is different. You might feel back to normal very quickly, or it might take a bit longer. If you are worried about how you are recovering physically, then you should see a doctor. If you feel ready to have sex again and you are physically recovered, then do what is right for you and your partner.
Dr Gemma Dovey
Medical Copywriter
Dr Gemma Dovey is a GP with a passion for women's health with experience of these issues herself as a patient. She loves communicating complex medical issues in a way that patients understand. She also have experience in writing and editing medical information, both for patients and for doctors.
Our medical review process
This article has been medically reviewed for factual and up to date information by a Lowdown doctor.
