Can You Get Pregnant After an Abortion?

Irrespective of the type of abortion that you have, be it a surgical or medical abortion, you can ovulate again soon after the procedure. You can even conceive even before the return of your period. Therefore, it is wise to start using contraception immediately in order to prevent any unwanted pregnancies.

You can have vaginal sex after 2 weeks of your abortion, or after a few days when your bleeding has stopped.

Your doctor may also advise you to avoid swimming and using tampons or menstrual cups for a fortnight or for a few days after the bleeding has stopped.

What Birth Control Options Do You Have?

The birth control options differ according to how long-lasting their effects are. Contraceptives include the following methods:

• Short-acting methods:

Short-acting methods include condoms and other barriers that must be used during every sexual interaction of yours, or methods that require medication such as contraceptive pills.

• Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC):

These are reversible contraceptive methods that require no further action for the following months or years depending on the type that is used. They include implants,  injections, and intrauterine devices (IUDs).

• Permanent methods:

The permanent methods are intended to be non-reversible. They include male vasectomy and female sterilisation.

How soon a contraception works after an abortion depends on the type of abortion you had.

• Surgical abortion:

Contraceptive implants, injections, IUDs and pills can all be used immediately after a surgical abortion and can even be given to you at that time.

• Medical abortion:

Most hormonal contraceptive methods (pills, injections or implants) can be started at the time of your abortion.

• Emergency contraception:

If you have had sex without any contraception after an abortion, or if you fear that the contraception has failed, there are 3 different types of emergency contraceptives that you can use; a copper IUD, a ulipristal pill and a levonorgestrel pill.

What Birth Control Option Should You Choose?

The right birth control option for you depends on what kind of abortion you did and on what effect you want the contraceptive to have. All these factors will be taken into account when your doctor advises you on what birth control you should take.

At the Chennai Abortion Clinic we have many gynaecologists who are experts in giving abortions to women. They will help you decide the right birth control option for you.