It’s totally normal to have questions about your body after an abortion — like when it’s safe to have sex again, how soon you can get pregnant, or when your period will return. The good news is: your body starts healing right away, and you can go back to having sex whenever you feel comfortable and ready.

When can I have sex after an abortion?

Whether you took abortion pills or had an in-clinic (surgical) procedure, you can have sex again whenever it feels right for you. Most providers recommend waiting a few days to a week to lower your risk of infection but this guidance is mostly based on caution rather than hard evidence.

The same applies to tampons, fingers, toys, or penises. (Pro tip: make sure whatever’s going in is clean!)

The most important thing to know is that you can get pregnant again right away — even before your next period, which usually returns about 4–6 weeks after an abortion.

How fertile am I after an abortion?

Abortion does not affect your ability to get pregnant in the future. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) confirms that abortion, whether by pills or procedure, has no negative impact on future fertility.

You can ovulate as soon as two weeks after an abortion — meaning it’s possible to get pregnant almost immediately, even if you’re still bleeding or haven’t had your period yet.

If you’re trying to avoid pregnancy, this is a good time to think about birth control options.

Can I start birth control after an abortion?

Yes! You can start birth control as soon as you want. Some people begin right away, even the same day as their abortion (talk to your doctor about options).

There are lots of choices depending on what feels right for your body and your life:

• Short-term options: pills, patches, or the ring (you can start immediately).
• Long-term options: IUDs, implants, or shots (can often be started at your appointment).

Explore all the forms of birth control here.

Can I get pregnant if I’ve had more than one abortion?

Yup. Having multiple abortion (whether 2, 3, or more) doesn’t affect your ability to get pregnant or have a healthy pregnancy in the future. Abortion is safe, common, and nothing to be ashamed of—no matter how many you have.

Millions of people have had more than one abortion for many different reasons. You aren’t alone — read real stories from people who’ve had multiple abortions on our stories page or at 2+ Abortions.

Your body is resilient. You can have sex whenever you’re ready, use birth control right away if you don’t want to become pregnant again, and rest easy knowing abortion doesn’t harm your fertility. The choice is always yours.

If you ever have pain, fever, or heavy bleeding, reach out to your provider or the M+A Hotline (1-833-246-2632) for free, confidential support from medical professionals.