Sex is an integral part of an adult woman's life. It is the presence of a full sexual life that helps to increase the duration of the reproductive period. But there are still certain restrictions when sexual intimacy can cause harm to a woman.
For example, after an abortion, a woman wants to return to her previous lifestyle as soon as possible and get rid of physical ailments and psychological stress. And having sex after curettage, cesarean section, or childbirth is strictly prohibited by gynecological specialists.
However, after an abortion, it is recommended to abstain from intimate relationships for some time and adhere to certain doctor’s recommendations to avoid complications.
The total period of sexual rest after an abortion is usually about three weeks. When you can have sex after an abortion, a gynecologist determines more precisely, since with different abortion methods, the periods of abstinence may vary.
In any case, after such an intervention, time is required for the body to recover, and it is better to postpone sex after an abortion until the first menstruation. Protection during this period is an indispensable condition for returning to intimate relationships. A specialist will help you choose the appropriate contraceptive method. Hormonal medications and the use of condoms are usually permitted. Installation of the IUD is not possible until the uterus is completely restored.
Is it possible to have sex after an abortion?
Doctors, answering the question about resuming sexual activity after an abortion, unanimously declare that a woman should take care of herself. Early restoration of intimate relationships threatens complications. Therefore, you will have to give up sexual contacts for some time.
Doctors recommend not having sex for about a month. Some advise waiting until the next menstruation, after it ends, undergo a gynecological examination, and do an ultrasound. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor can tell whether resuming sexual activity is already allowed or whether you should wait a little longer.
After termination of pregnancy, before resuming sexual activity, it is important to discuss the issue of contraception with a gynecologist. An abortion does not protect against future conception. Situations in which a woman becomes pregnant in the next cycle after an abortion are not uncommon. Most often, gynecologists advise starting to take hormonal contraceptives. They are prescribed to drink from the 1st day of the cycle - the date of the abortion.
When assessing the possibility of restoring sexual life after an abortion, it is necessary to take into account the psychological state of the woman. Some do not want to return to sexual activity due to fear of another pregnancy, while others are haunted by feelings of guilt. Many people manage to regain the desire to have sex only after undergoing psychological rehabilitation.
Those women who had to agree to an abortion for medical reasons also face psychological difficulties before restoring their intimate life. In such a situation, gynecologists recommend using protection for six months to reduce the risk of a recurrence. But there is no need to completely give up sex at this time.
Features of sex after menstruation
Many people take it as an axiom that having sex after menstruation is the safest and eliminates the possibility of getting pregnant. But is this really so? Indeed, in most cases, in the first days after menstruation, the egg is not yet fully formed and is not ready for fertilization. But there are exceptions to any rule. Each organism is individual and may not correspond to average indicators. This is especially true for women with an irregular menstrual cycle that does not fit within the framework of twenty-eight days. Therefore, if a woman’s cycle is more or less than the average, and menstruation itself is irregular, then this method of preventing pregnancy is ineffective. But even if you have a menstrual cycle that is as accurate as a clock, no one can give a 100% guarantee of the correct determination of “safe” days. After all, even in women with a regular cycle, as a result of the maturation of several eggs in parallel, an unexpected pregnancy can occur. In addition, there are cases where sperm retain their viability for more than a week, and can “wait” for ovulation while in the genital tract.
In all of the above cases, sex should be protected and bring joy to both partners, and therefore it is worth carefully weighing the pros and cons, objectively assessing the state of the female body and its readiness for sexual intercourse.
abortion
How long after an abortion can you not have sex?
The period during which the female body will recover is determined in each case individually. It depends on the physical and psychological state of health of the patient and the type of abortion performed.
When planning to restore intimate life after an abortion earlier than the recommended period, it is necessary to remember that during the surgical procedure the genitals are seriously injured. The integrity of the mucous membranes, which perform a protective function, is impaired. And during sex they are additionally injured. The path for pathogenic microorganisms into the uterine cavity is open.
Attention! It is better to restore sexual life after menstruation ends. Spotting that appears after an abortion is not menstruation; normally, menstrual periods begin 28-42 days after the procedure.
If a woman plans to return to her normal life as soon as possible and get rid of physical and psychological discomfort, then the period for maintaining sexual rest after an abortion is determined individually.
When can you have sex after a medical abortion?
Abortion using special pills, a combination of antigestagens and prostaglandins, is considered a gentle abortive procedure.
Under the influence of drugs, the fertilized egg is rejected and expelled from the uterine cavity. But medication interruption is allowed only in the early stages. It is done if a woman is no more than 7 weeks pregnant.
After terminating pregnancy with medications, gynecologists recommend resuming sexual activity no earlier than 2-3 weeks later. This is the minimum acceptable period. Although it is better to wait until menstruation, undergo an examination and an ultrasound to make sure that the body has had time to recover and there will be no harm from sex.
Even after using abortion pills, the integrity of the inner layer of the uterus is compromised. This is due to the fact that a wound surface remains at the site of attachment of the fertilized egg, and it takes time to heal. Intense contractions of the myometrium aggravate the situation. In addition, under the influence of drugs, the cervix opens slightly, making it easier for pathogenic microorganisms to penetrate the uterine cavity. Because of this, sex is dangerous even after a pill abortion.
Doctors recommend waiting 3 to 6 weeks so that the body has time to fully recover. Only after passing the specified period after termination of pregnancy with medication can you return to intimate life without fear.
When can you have sex after a vacuum abortion?
Compared to conventional surgical curettage, the vacuum aspiration procedure is more gentle. A special device creates a vacuum in the uterus and the fetus is removed. After completing the procedure, the surgeon must make sure that the uterine cavity is clean and there are no parts of the embryo or membranes left in it.
When performing a mini-abortion, the mucous membrane lining the inside of the uterus is injured. For this reason, gynecologists advise abstaining from sexual intercourse for at least 4 weeks in a row. If possible, it is better to wait for menstruation and resume sexual activity 1-2 weeks after its completion.
During this period, the wound surface formed inside the uterus will completely heal, and the endometrium will have time to recover. If the integrity of the cervical mucosa was damaged during the procedure, it will have time to heal in 1.5 months.
Advice! Having decided to start being sexually active again after an abortion, it is advisable to make sure that there are no post-operative complications. To do this, you need to undergo a gynecological examination and have an ultrasound performed as directed by a doctor.
When can you have sex after a surgical abortion?
The period during which the condition of the reproductive system organs normalizes after curettage is long. The minimum recovery period is 4 weeks. Until its completion, sex is strictly prohibited.
Due to the operation, the uterine cavity is a continuous wound, because the doctor scrapes off the endometrium from its surface with a special instrument. This is necessary to extract the fruit. During surgery, not only the uterine cavity suffers, but also its cervix. The cervical canal is expanded using special instruments; this is necessary to gain access to the uterus. Because of this, its integrity is damaged.
Therefore, it is so important to find out in advance when you can resume sexual activity after an abortion. Some doctors advise abstaining for 4-6 weeks, others say that you need to take a break of 2 months.
The longer the pregnancy, the longer the recovery process takes. This is due not only to the fact that the size of the fertilized egg increases. The longer the period, the more pronounced the hormonal changes taking place in the body.
If a woman is thinking about when sex will be allowed, she should consult a gynecologist. The doctor must conduct an examination to determine the condition of the cervix and cervical canal, and assess how the uterus contracts. If there is a suspicion of the development of complications, then it is necessary to do an ultrasound and undergo tests. If, based on the results of the examination, the doctor determines that the woman is healthy and the organs of the reproductive system are normal, then the doctor may allow the first sexual intercourse after an abortion even on the day of the examination.
Abstinence after medical abortion
Pharmacological abortion is considered low-traumatic, which is why it is the most preferred method of abortion. Abortion drugs cause endometrial detachment and severe bleeding. These are ideal conditions for infection. Therefore, sex after a medical abortion is allowed only 2 weeks after the resumption of menstruation.
During sexual intercourse, at first there may be pain and discomfort, which goes away over time. Prolonged pain or bleeding is abnormal and may indicate pelvic inflammation, cervical erosion or the presence of tumors. When the first alarming symptoms occur, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor to avoid complications, many of which threaten infertility or are associated with a risk to life.
What kind of sex can you have after an abortion?
Some couples find it difficult to completely eliminate intimacy. But during the recovery period, penetration into the vagina can provoke the development of serious complications. If everyone knows about the ban on vaginal sex, then the question of whether other types of sexual contacts are allowed remains open.
Doctors do not prohibit oral sex, provided that only the woman caresses the man. It is undesirable to touch even the external female genitalia with your mouth; this can cause pathogenic organisms to enter the vagina from the oral cavity.
It is better to abstain from anal sex until complete recovery. The ban on this type of contact is due to the fact that in the process the pelvic ligaments are stretched. A woman may also feel pressure on the cervix through the thin septum that separates the vagina and rectum. This effect prolongs the regeneration of damaged tissues.
Consequences of sex after abortion
Even after a gentle medical abortion, you cannot immediately return to sexual activity. First you need to make sure that there are no complications after the procedure. After vacuum and surgical abortion, you must also remember the restrictions.
Sex can provoke the development of such complications:
- uterine bleeding,
- infectious lesions,
- inflammatory diseases.
Comment! After an abortion, there is still a possibility of pregnancy. Repeated interruptions can lead to serious hormonal imbalances, and doctors do not recommend maintaining and carrying a pregnancy that occurs immediately after an abortion.
When having sex earlier than recommended, there is a high risk of developing uterine bleeding. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy additional vessels and glandular structures are formed in the uterus. They are responsible for feeding the embryo and retaining the fertilized egg in the uterus. When terminating a pregnancy surgically or medically, the vessels are ruptured and the thickened endometrium is torn off or scraped out.
Until the integrity of the mucous membrane is restored, there is a risk of activation of inflammatory processes. Sex can become a provoking factor in their development. The development of endometritis can be suspected by pain in the lower abdomen, lumbar region, and menstrual irregularities. The likelihood of such a complication, judging by reviews, increases if there is sex after a medical abortion.
There is a risk of developing infectious lesions during surgery. Having sex immediately after an abortion can make things worse. The cervix is slightly open during this period, and there is no mucus plug in the cervical canal. During sexual arousal, blood flow to the reproductive organs increases, causing the canal to expand even more. Pathogenic organisms can easily penetrate the uterus and cause infectious and inflammatory complications.
Inflammatory processes can spread to the muscle layer and appendages. If they occur, in addition to unpleasant sensations, the woman may be bothered by the appearance of purulent-mucous vaginal discharge. Lack of timely treatment can cause the development of a chronic form of the disease.
The Importance of the Abstinence Period
When a pregnancy is terminated, detachment of the ovum occurs along with the rejection of the upper layer of the endometrium, so even after a medical abortion, the uterine cavity becomes one large wound. Any physical impact will increase existing bleeding and can become a source of infection.
Early resumption of sexual relations after surgical termination of pregnancy is even more fraught with the occurrence of pathological processes and infertility. There are even cases of death in careless women.
On average, it takes a month for tissue regeneration after a medical abortion, and from a month to three after a surgical abortion. However, each body is individual, so after the bleeding stops, it is better to contact a gynecologist, who will confirm that everything is in order.
Some women experience a psychological barrier to sex after an abortion
Even when a woman’s body is fully restored, psychological issues may persist. It is common for some representatives of the fair sex to experience a deep sense of guilt after an abortion. They believe that they betrayed their child and killed him. Due to the subconscious fear of becoming pregnant again, women begin to avoid sexual contact with their spouse. In such a situation, it is advisable to contact a psychologist who will help you stop self-flagellation and regain the joy of life.
Reviews about sex after abortion
Vasilisa Umarova, 36 years old, Pavlograd My husband and I were no longer planning children, but even with condom protection, pregnancy occurred. After a medical abortion, the doctor recommended abstaining from sex for 3 weeks. After passing the specified period, we resumed sexual activity, no problems arose. Natalya Kandyba, 21 years old, Korolev We decided to return to having sex after an abortion with a guy in 2 weeks. However, during a routine examination a month later, the doctor suspected endometritis. Based on the results of the examination, the diagnosis was confirmed. Inflammation of the endometrium could have occurred due to a violation of the abortion procedure, but the doctor claims that the disease provoked an early return to sexual activity. Polina Avdeeva, 27 years old, Mogilev After curettage of a frozen pregnancy at 10 weeks, she did not have sex for more than 2 months. According to the gynecologist, the reproductive organs returned to normal within a month, there were no complications, but I did not want to restore intimate relationships.
Intimacy after surgical abortion
After abortive intervention in the later stages, if hygiene rules are not followed, there is a high risk of infection and, as a result, inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system. When you can have sex after a surgical abortion, the doctor decides based on diagnostic data obtained as a result of tests and examination. With serious surgical intervention, the uterine mucosa is injured and the microbial flora is disrupted. Typically, the period of abstinence from sex after an abortion is 1-1.5 months. You can have sex after an abortion only after your periods return.
