How Soon After an Abortion Can I Have Sex?

Nearly 1 in 4 women will have an abortion at some point during their lives. Abortion is one of the most common and safest medical procedures. Despite this, the far right’s war on abortion clinics shrouds abortion in secrecy. Your friends who have had abortions might not tell you about them. This leaves many people who choose abortion scouring the Internet for any information they can find. You might wonder how long after abortion you can have sex. Here’s what you need to know.

How Long to Wait to Have Sex

Experts used to advise women to wait about 2 weeks after having an abortion to have sex. The reason for this is that when the cervix is open, the risk of infection increases. Abortion opens the cervix. However, for most healthy people, the opening quickly closes, and the risk of infection is almost nonexistent. We now know that it is safe for women to have sex as soon as they feel ready, as long as they do not have a uterine infection or any other complications.

If you have a late-term abortion, a procedure that requires dilation the day before surgery, a history of uterine injuries, or a uterine injury during the procedure, you should wait two weeks, or until your follow-up appointment with your abortion clinic.

It’s worth noting that you don’t have to have sex right away. Some people do not feel ready, or prefer to avoid sex while they are still bleeding from the procedure. Your partner should not pressure you. If you feel like you can’t say no, you can always tell your partner that your doctor said to wait.

Your emotional well-being matters after abortion. Here are 5 ways to care for yourself after abortion.

Will Sex Hurt After an Abortion?

Unlike childbirth, an abortion does not affect the pelvic floor muscles. So you don’t need to worry about physical injuries causing abortion to hurt. However, pregnancy can trigger a number of hormonal swings and physiological changes. Some people find that they have trouble getting lubricated for sex immediately after an abortion. This usually resolves on its own in a few weeks. In the meantime, invest in a good lubricant and lots of foreplay.

An unwanted pregnancy may increase anxiety about sex. This anxiety can make sex uncomfortable, especially if you feel pressured. Don’t have sex before you’re ready, and ask your

partner to go slowly. Remember that intercourse is not the only way to enjoy intimacy or sex.

Pregnancy After Abortion

It is a myth that abortion damages long-term health or fertility. You can get pregnant as soon as you begin ovulating again–often just a week or two after the procedure. Every person is different, and some people have delayed ovulation after abortion, while others immediately return to their cycle. The important thing to know here is that you will be fertile before you have your first period. So you should assume you can get pregnant at all times. If you’re trying to avoid another pregnancy, use contraceptives. Choosing a safe abortion clinic is key to having a good abortion experience. The right abortion clinic will support you after the procedure, and work with you to help you make the right decisions for your health and well-being. Begin your search for a great abortion clinic here.