When to Start Birth Control After an Abortion

After an abortion — medication or procedural — fertility can return within about 2 weeks. If you want to use birth control to prevent another pregnancy, most methods can start right away. This guide explains the timing for each common method, and where to access birth control.

(Southern Woven doesn't prescribe or ship birth control, but we want you to have the information so you can take the next step where it makes sense for you.)

Fertility Returns Fast

You can ovulate as early as 2 weeks after an abortion — sometimes before your first post-abortion period (which itself can be 4–8 weeks away; see when does your period come back). That means:

• Sex without contraception in those first weeks can result in another pregnancy
• "Waiting until my next period" to start birth control is too late if you want continuous protection

If you want birth control, the cleanest plan is to start before fertility returns.

When Each Method Can Start

Same day as the abortion (or very soon after):

• Combined birth control pill, patch, or ring — typically started the same day as misoprostol (medication abortion) or the day of the procedure
• Progestin-only pill ("mini-pill") — same day
• DMPA injection (Depo-Provera) — same day
• Implant (Nexplanon) — same day; one of the most flexible methods on timing
• Condoms and other barriers — immediately, no medical wait

After the abortion is complete:

• Hormonal IUD or copper IUD — for medication abortion, typically inserted at a follow-up visit once the abortion is confirmed complete (often 1–4 weeks later). For procedural abortion, often inserted at the same visit.

Permanent options (tubal ligation, salpingectomy, vasectomy) — these need separate planning and a separate procedure; not same-day.

Choosing a Method — or Choosing Not To

There's no "right" answer about birth control after an abortion. Some people start a method right away because they want active prevention. Others don't want hormones, want autonomy over their cycle, aren't in a partnered situation, or simply don't want any birth control at all. All of these are reasonable. This guide is here for people who want information; it isn't a recommendation that everyone should be on birth control.

A few things worth knowing if you're choosing:

• Different methods, different priorities. Some are most effective with no daily effort (IUD, implant). Some let you keep your natural cycle (copper IUD, fertility awareness). Some are easy to stop (pill, ring, patch). Some are permanent.
• Switching is normal. It's fine to start one method and switch later if it doesn't suit you.
• You don't have to decide today. If you're not sure, condoms or abstinence work while you take your time.

Bedsider has a method comparison tool that walks through tradeoffs in plain language and is a good starting point.

Where to Access Birth Control

Southern Woven doesn't prescribe or ship birth control. Some sources that do:

• Bedsider — independent nonprofit. Their provider directory lets you search by ZIP code for in-person providers and telehealth options.
• Choix — telehealth for medication abortion and contraception in select states; subscription pill, ring, and patch.
• Wisp — telehealth birth control in most states.
• Nurx — telehealth birth control plus emergency contraception.
• Twentyeight Health — telehealth birth control with sliding-scale pricing; accepts Medicaid in many states.
• Planned Parenthood — in-person in most states; offers all common methods including IUDs and implants.
• Title X clinics — federally funded, low-cost or free contraception. Find one at opa.hhs.gov/find-family-planning-clinic.

If you have private insurance or Medicaid, most birth control methods are covered with no copay under the ACA. If you don't have insurance, Title X clinics and sliding-scale telehealth services are usually the most affordable routes.

Emergency Contraception (a Note for Later)

If you have unprotected sex in the future and want to avoid pregnancy:

• Plan B (levonorgestrel) — over the counter; works best within 72 hours of sex
• Ella (ulipristal acetate) — prescription; works up to 5 days
• Copper IUD — the most effective option; works as emergency contraception if inserted within 5 days

You can keep emergency contraception on hand at home; many of the telehealth sources above ship it. I Need Plan B distributes Plan B for free by mail to people who can't afford to buy it.

What If You Don't Want Birth Control?

Some people leave an abortion knowing they don't want contraception — for medical reasons, personal preference, partner situation, or because their abortion happened because contraception failed and they're rethinking the whole approach. That's a complete answer. The information in this post is here if you want it; the question of whether to use birth control isn't part of completing your abortion.

The Bottom Line

If you want birth control, most methods can start the same day as your abortion. Fertility returns fast, so starting early is the cleanest plan. If you don't want birth control, that's also fine — your reproductive choices belong to you.

For questions about your specific situation, any of the resources above can help. Southern Woven doesn't prescribe birth control, but if you need follow-up about your abortion itself, start a free, confidential consultation or call 845-THE-PILL.

This information is for educational purposes and does not replace advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Reviewed by the Southern Woven Medical Team. Last updated: May 2026. Sources: ACOG, CDC US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, WHO Family Planning Handbook, Bedsider.