The short answer is — it’s totally up to you.

Most doctors recommend avoiding putting anything in the vagina (like tampons, menstrual cups, or having penetrative sex) for about one to two weeks after an abortion. This is because your cervix — the small opening to your uterus — may still be slightly open, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel into the uterus and cause an infection. That’s true if you had an abortion with pills or in a clinic.

That said, this guidance is mostly based on caution rather than hard evidence. The vagina itself isn’t sterile — it naturally contains bacteria — but the concern is about bacteria reaching the uterus while the cervix is still open. There’s no strong medical research that proves an exact number of “safe” days after an abortion, so the most important thing is to listen to your body and reach out for help if something doesn’t feel right.

Can I use tampons after an abortion?

Yes — once your bleeding has slowed to light spotting, it’s totally okay to use whatever feels most comfortable, including tampons, menstrual cups, sponges, period underwear, or liners.

Doctors usually measure bleeding by pads, not by what you see in the toilet or what’s on a tampon. If you’re soaking through more than 2 overnight maxi pads per hour for 2 hours in a row, call your doctor or go to the ER — that could mean you’re bleeding too much.

When bleeding lightens to spotting, switch to whatever feels most comfortable. And if your bleeding picks up again, go back to pads so it’s easier to monitor.

Can I use tampons after a medication abortion?

Eventually, yes.

After taking mifepristone, you may not bleed much at first. The heavier bleeding usually happens after you take misoprostol, often within a few hours. That’s the time to use pads — not tampons — so you can monitor bleeding and pass clots safely.

Once the heaviest bleeding has stopped and you’re back to light bleeding or spotting, you can use tampons, menstrual cups, or whatever feels best for your body. Many people have some light bleeding or spotting on and off for a few weeks, which is normal.

Can I take a bath after an abortion?

You can shower right away, but many doctors suggest waiting about a week before taking a bath, using a jacuzzi, or swimming, just to lower the risk of infection while your cervix is closing.

What about douching?

And definitely skip douching — it’s never medically recommended. Douching can disrupt your vagina’s natural balance of bacteria and actually make infection more likely.

When can I work out again?

You can start light activity — like walking or stretching — as soon as you feel up to it. If you’re dizzy, tired, or cramping, take it slow and rest. Most people feel back to normal within a few days.

If you had a surgical abortion, you might want to wait a few extra days before resuming heavy exercise or lifting. If you had a medication abortion, you can usually return to normal activities once bleeding and cramping have eased.

Listen to and trust your body — nurture it. Eat nourishing food, drink plenty of water, rest when you need to, and move in ways that feel good in the moment.

When can I masturbate after an abortion?

You can masturbate again as soon as it feels good to you!

Again, most providers recommend waiting a few days to a week to lower your risk of infection — similar to waiting before using tampons or putting anything in your vagina. That same guidance applies to fingers, toys, or penises. (Pro tip: make sure whatever’s going in is clean!)

External stimulation, like clitoral touch or using a vibrator on the outside of your body, is totally fine if you’re not bleeding heavily and you feel ready!

And here’s a bonus — orgasms may be able to actually help with cramping and pain by releasing natural endorphins that relax your body and improve your mood. So if it feels good, it might also make you feel better physically.

Have questions about when to have sex or your fertility after an abortion? Learn more here.

What are signs of complications after an abortion?

If you ever experience the following after an abortion, reach out to your provider or the M+A Hotline (1-833-246-2632) for free, confidential support from medical professionals.

• A fever of 101°F or higher
• Foul-smelling discharge (especially with pain)
• Very heavy bleeding — soaking more than 2 overnight maxi pads per hour for 2 hours in a row
• Severe abdominal pain that doesn’t get better with over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen or Tylenol

Learn what to expect if you go to the ER after an abortion or miscarriage so you know your rights and what kind of care you should receive.