Hi, and welcome to Telefem! It’s so nice to meet you! If this is your first time here, we want to tell you that you’re in a safe space, full of trust. We are here to answer all your questions and provide you with trustworthy information regarding safe abortion in Mexico. Let me introduce you to one of our articles, and if you still have questions, feel free to contact us through WhatsApp!
Talking about contraception and abortion is fundamental to promoting sexual and reproductive health based on knowledge and autonomy. Sometimes, misinformation and myths limit and obstruct access to safe and effective options.
So, on this occasion, I am going to answer five questions about contraceptives and abortion. Remember: clarifying doubts with science-backed data empowers people in decision-making and encourages informed and respectful debate.
1.- Are there contraceptive methods that cause an abortion if pregnancy has already occurred?
No, most contraceptive methods have no effect once the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus.
However, if pregnancy occurs when a person has an IUD in place, there is a 50% abortion risk (the highest probability compared to any natural risk, which is 15%). In that case, there is a higher risk of abortion, septic or preterm, in the second trimester due to the device’s location in the uterus. Does this mean there will be malformation problems?
No, suppose the IUD remains in the uterus. In that case, it does NOT increase the risk of malformations, genetic disorders, or molar pregnancy (a type of pregnancy caused by abnormal placental tissue growth). It is critical to consider that the device must always be removed when it is below the gestational sac (regardless of pregnancy timing) to reduce the possibility of abortion.1
2.- I used contraceptives and still got pregnant. Can I have an abortion?
The contraceptive effectiveness of different methods can vary enormously from one person to another, depending on the method’s administration, because there are operator-dependent variations. Effectiveness is related to correctly and consistently using the chosen contraceptive method. Most users make the technique more effective as they gain more experience.1
If the contraceptive fails, you can access a safe abortion without any inconvenience. There is no scientific evidence of contraindications between contraceptives and abortion.
If you have a positive pregnancy test and do not wish to continue it, Telefem is a non-profit organization that connects you with specialists who can guide you.
3.- What methods can be used after an abortion?
You can use any contraceptive you want, and that is appropriate for you. Let me explain some:
- Intrauterine Device (IUD). It can be inserted immediately after a first or second-trimester abortion without complications. The complications (perforation, bleeding, and infection) are not greater than those related to IUD when inserted after childbirth, provided no cervical or uterine cavity infection is found, and the uterus has been completely evacuated. Expulsion rates are lower in post-abortion insertion than in post-partum. In the case of septic abortion, immediate post-evacuation placement is contraindicated (WHO Category 4).1
- Combined hormonal contraceptives. It should start on the uterine evacuation or the next day. This is valid for both first and second-trimester abortions. They can be oral, injectable, vaginal rings, and dermal patches.1
- Progestogen-only hormonal contraceptives. Oral, injectable, or subdermal implants can be started immediately after uterine evacuation.1
- Condoms. Their use is unrestricted and should be used at the same time as a post-abortion sexual relationship.1
Suppose you are looking for a safe abortion procedure at home. In that case, Telefem connects you with specialists who offer advice and provide a Telefem kit with everything necessary for your decision.
4.- Can using contraceptives for several years cause spontaneous abortions when I decide to stop using them?
No, there is no relationship between contraceptive use and spontaneous abortions. With hormonal methods, the body may take some time to normalize the menstrual cycle, but this does not mean that it causes sterility or abortions. If you are trying to get pregnant after prolonged use of a contraceptive method and are not successful, we recommend visiting a specialist, as it may be due to another reason.2
5.- If I had an abortion, when can I start using contraceptives?
People capable of gestation can get a new pregnancy again almost immediately after an abortion. Often, ovulation occurs two weeks after a first-trimester abortion and four weeks after a second-trimester abortion.3
Contraceptive methods can be used immediately after comprehensive post-abortion care, provided that:4
- There are no serious complications requiring additional treatment.
- Counseling has been received.
- The healthcare professional has investigated and evaluated all possible contraindications for using specific contraceptive methods.
For remote medical orientation that respects your decisions and advises you about what will happen after a safe abortion, you can contact Telefem. We will connect you with specialists to support you and provide everything necessary through the Telefem kit.
We hope this information has been helpful to you to know all you need to know about a safe abortion. If you wanna know more info about reproductive health and safe abortion, receive an invitation to visit our blog. I’m pretty sure you’ll find answers to all your doubts. I’ll see you there!
* This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.
References:
- Asociación Médica Argentina de Anticoncepción (AMADA) y el Programa Nacional de Salud Sexual y Procreación Responsable (PNSSyPR) del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. Métodos anticonceptivos – Guía para profesionales de la salud. Serie: Actualización Profesional. [Internet]. 2014. [Visit February 2025]. Available at: https://iah.msal.gov.ar/doc/Documento49.pdf
- PROMSEX y UNFPA. Mitos y métodos anticonceptivos. [Internet]. Perú, 2011. [Visit February 2025]. Available at: https://promsex.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/mitosymetodosanticonceptivos.pdf
- Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. Guía para el mejoramiento de la atención post-aborto. República de Argentina. [Internet]. 2010. [Visit February 2025]. Available at: https://www.fasgo.org.ar/archivos/ComSexRep/postaborto.pdf
- Programa Nacional de Salud Sexual y Procreación Responsable. Guía para la atención integral de mujeres que cursan un aborto. [Internet]. 2015. [Visit February 2025]. Available at: https://iah.msal.gov.ar/doc/Documento106.pdf