Resumption of Sexual Intercourse After D&C for Therapeutic Abortion
Patients can safely resume sexual intercourse 2 weeks after a D&C for therapeutic abortion, provided there are no complications such as heavy bleeding or signs of infection.
Timing Recommendations
The timing for resumption of sexual activity after a D&C procedure for therapeutic abortion should follow these guidelines:
- Most patients can safely resume sexual intercourse approximately 2 weeks after the procedure 1
- Younger women (18-24 years) tend to resume sexual activity earlier, with about 60% recommencing within 2 weeks 1
- By 8 weeks post-procedure, approximately 87% of women have resumed sexual activity 1
Factors Affecting Resumption Timing
Several factors may influence when sexual activity can safely resume:
- Bleeding duration: Prolonged vaginal bleeding may delay resumption of sexual activity 1
- Procedure complications: Need for re-evacuation of the uterus can delay resumption 1
- Type of abortion: Medical abortions may require longer waiting periods than surgical procedures 1
Contraception After Abortion
When resuming sexual activity after a D&C, contraception should be addressed immediately:
- Any contraceptive method can be safely initiated immediately after first or second-trimester surgical abortion 2
- Immediate initiation of contraception significantly reduces subsequent unintended pregnancies 2
- According to CDC guidelines, contraception can be started on the same day as the abortion procedure with no restrictions (U.S. MEC 1) 3
Specific Contraceptive Options:
- IUDs: Can be inserted immediately after the procedure with minimal risk 2
- Hormonal methods: Can be started immediately post-abortion 3
- Barrier methods: Can be used as soon as sexual activity is resumed 3
Potential Complications to Monitor
Patients should delay resuming intercourse and contact their healthcare provider if they experience:
- Heavy bleeding (soaking more than one pad per hour)
- Signs of infection (fever, foul-smelling discharge)
- Severe abdominal pain
- Passing large clots
Patient Counseling Points
When advising patients about resuming sexual activity:
- Approximately 15% of women report diminished sexual desire at 8 weeks post-procedure 1
- About 6% report diminished orgasm ability compared to pre-pregnancy levels 1
- Without proper contraceptive counseling, approximately 6% of sexually active women do not use sufficient contraception 8 weeks after the procedure 1
Special Considerations
- If the patient had complications during the D&C procedure (such as excessive bleeding or uterine perforation), the waiting period may need to be extended 4
- Patients with signs of retained products of conception should delay resuming intercourse until after re-evacuation and healing 4
Remember that while most patients can safely resume sexual activity after 2 weeks, individual healing times may vary. Patients should be advised to stop activity and seek medical attention if they experience increased pain, bleeding, or signs of infection after resuming intercourse.