Introduction
After an abortion, everyone will feel different, and that’s okay! There is a wide range of experiences and emotions that are completely normal during and after an abortion. At carafem, we’ll meet you where you are at every step of the process to make sure you receive the kind of high-quality care you want and deserve.
We hear a lot of questions from people after their abortion so we’ve put together the most common questions and are here to give you answers on ongoing pregnancy symptoms, your period, when you can have sex, and birth control after you have had an abortion.
How long will I feel pregnancy symptoms after my abortion?
After taking abortion pills, pregnancy symptoms begin to resolve relatively quickly. Nausea is usually the first symptom of pregnancy that goes away, usually within 24-48 hours after taking the medications. This is followed by a feeling of more energy and a decrease in other pregnancy symptoms you may have experienced.
Breast tenderness is usually the last symptom to go away and can last a week to 10 days. Tylenol or ibuprofen and wearing a snug-fitting bra or even a cold pack can help with this if needed. If your pregnancy symptoms persist longer, or get worse, you can call us anytime at 855-SAY-CARA to discuss follow-up care in more detail.
When will my period return after my abortion?
Most people experience heavy bleeding and pass a few clots the day they take their misoprostol medication, but it is also normal to have some continuous bleeding for several weeks.
Just as everyone experiences their period differently, everyone’s experience with post-abortion bleeding is different—some people have period-like bleeding for about a week, then the some lighter bleeding and continued for several weeks after that. Some people stop bleeding within 48 hours of using the pills and do not experience more bleeding until their next period. Both of these experiences are normal and so are almost any off and on bleeding in between. For most people, the bleeding stops by the time you see your first period. Your carafem medical team will be available to you at any time if you have concerns about your own post-abortion experience.
Your period should return in about 4-6 weeks after taking the medications, and your first cycle may be lighter or heavier than you are used to. We recommend using a regular full-sized maxi pad immediately after your abortion to better gauge how much you’re bleeding, but you can use tampons, menstrual cups, pads, period underwear, or any other menstrual product you like you as soon as you feel it. your bleeding will definitely be managed. There is no medical evidence to support any increased risk from choosing to go off the pads as soon as you feel ready.
When can I go back to work / school after my abortion?
You can resume normal activities soon after your abortion! We recommend planning to rest on the day you take your misoprostol pills if possible, as you are likely to experience heavy bleeding and cramping, and may experience other symptoms such as nausea, chills, and diarrhea.
Some people find that they feel completely normal the next day on the same day or the day after taking the medications, while others prefer to take a few days off. Everyone is different, so listen to your body—you are the master of your own life.
How soon can I have sex after my abortion?
Whenever you are ready, you can resume any and all types of sexual activity! There’s no specific time you have to wait before having sex, but if you’re engaging in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy, just remember that your fertility returns quickly after an abortion, and you can get pregnant again.
Orgasm can cause the uterus to contract, which sometimes leads to increased bleeding. This is usually okay. If you’re experiencing bleeding that’s considered “too heavy,” which we define in our aftercare instructions, you may want to slow down a bit and listen to your gut.
Speaking of orgasms, the dopamine released during orgasms can actually lead to reduced pain from cramps. So, that might be a reason to consider some personal pain relief when you feel ready. Looking for some safe recommendations on how to reach “O?” Don’t worry, here are 7 sex toys that won’t get you pregnant. 😉
How soon can I get pregnant after my abortion?
For many people, the last thing they want to think about after an abortion is being pregnant again! Because you can resume sexual activity for a while after a medical abortion, it’s important to know when you can get pregnant again so you can make informed decisions about your reproductive future.
You can get pregnant very fast after a medication abortion, sometimes as early as a week after taking your medications. Having an abortion has absolutely no effect on your future fertility—so taking mifepristone and misoprostol won’t affect your ability to get pregnant again or safely carry a pregnancy to term.
Knowing that you can get pregnant again even before your period returns, you may want to consider taking extra precautions and including using a new method of contraception if you are not interested in becoming pregnant. Carafem can also help with these options.
When should I start birth control after my abortion?
Depending on what contraception you want to use, you can start as early as the same day as your abortion! For birth control options like the birth control pill or the birth control patch, you can start using them the same day or the day after taking your medications. In fact, you will be protected against pregnancy immediately if you start a hormonal contraceptive within a week of using the abortion pill.
For some contraceptive options like the Intra-Uterine Device (IUD), you can insert it as soon as your abortion is definitely complete, usually within about a week.
When discussing contraception options with your provider, remember that you will likely have a positive pregnancy test result within 4-5 weeks after the abortion. There is no medical reason to wait a period before starting a method of your choice. If you’re interested in learning more about all the different contraception options available, a non-profit organization called Bedsider has great information about starting birth control after an abortion and lets you compare different types of contraception to find the best choice for your life! We recommend talking to your provider for more information.
More Post-Abortion Self-Care Resources
As always, if you or someone you know wants an abortion, birth control, or STI testing and treatment, you can schedule an appointment online or call us at 1-855-SAY-CARA.
