Can you drink after an abortion? Smoking, sex, alcohol and more.

Many abortion guides cover the basics. This one is different. It tackles the questions people often think about but rarely say out loud.

And that’s not because the questions are odd, they’re not. It’s because decades of abortion stigma and a healthcare system that hasn’t always invited honest conversation have made people feel embarrassed to ask very normal things about their bodies and their care.

carafem doesn’t believe any of this should be taboo. You deserve direct, judgment-free answers. So we pulled together the real questions we hear all the time privately, the ones that usually start with “This might sound weird, but…” or “I’ve been too afraid to ask…”

Here are the questions and answers you’ve been looking for.

1. Does having an abortion make you “loose”?

No — having an abortion does not make your vagina “loose.” Your vaginal tissue and pelvic floor muscles don’t stretch or change from a medication or procedural abortion. That’s simply not how the anatomy works.

And just to be clear: vaginas aren’t fragile, and they don’t permanently “stretch out” from normal life events. Even childbirth — which is a completely different physical process — doesn’t make someone “loose.” Pelvic floor muscles are strong, adaptable, and designed to support the body through many experiences.

After an abortion, you’re extremely unlikely to notice any difference in how your vagina feels, and neither will a partner. When you’re medically cleared and feel ready for sex again, everything should feel the same as before.

Which brings us to our next question…

2. When will I be able to have sex again after an abortion?

Short answer: whenever you feel ready. There isn’t a required waiting period after a medication or procedural abortion, and there’s no scientific evidence that having sex afterward increases your risk of infection.

What does matter is how your body feels. Some people feel comfortable resuming sex quickly; others want more time. Both are normal.

The one thing to keep in mind is that fertility can return very fast — sometimes within days — so if you want to avoid pregnancy, it’s important to use a reliable method of birth control the first time you have sex again if you don’t want to be pregnant.

Everyone’s emotional comfort level is different, too. You get to move at your own pace, physically and emotionally, with no pressure either way.

If you’re curious about how other people navigated sex after an abortion, here’s a great article from Self where eight people share their experiences and what surprised them most.

3. Is it safe to use weed (edibles or smoking) with abortion pills?

For people who already use cannabis — whether that’s edibles, gummies, or smoking — it’s generally fine to use it with abortion pills, as long as marijuana is legal where you live. Some people find it helps them relax or feel more comfortable during cramping. The main thing to know is that misoprostol can cause dizziness, nausea, or chills, and cannabis can sometimes intensify those sensations. If cannabis isn’t something you normally use, this isn’t the ideal time to try it for the first time.

And as a basic safety rule, don’t mix cannabis with prescription pain medications. If cannabis is already part of your routine and you know how your body responds, it’s usually okay to use — just start slow and check in with how you’re feeling.

4. Can I drink alcohol after taking abortion pills?

Light drinking is generally fine once you feel up to it, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Alcohol can thin your blood, so it’s best to avoid drinking during the period of heaviest bleeding. A small drink once things have started to taper off is usually okay; going heavy on alcohol is not recommended, especially while your body is working through cramping, bleeding, and possible nausea from misoprostol.

If you were prescribed a pain medication, don’t mix it with alcohol — that combination can make side effects harder to predict and harder to manage.

Overall, most medical providers suggest waiting until the most intense cramping and bleeding have passed before having a drink, and then easing back in based on how your body feels.

5. Will I be able to have kids after having an abortion?

Yes. A medication or procedural abortion does not affect your ability to get pregnant in the future. There’s no impact on fertility, no increased risk of complications in future pregnancies, and no long-term effects on your reproductive health.

What often surprises people is how quickly fertility can return — sometimes within days. If you don’t want to become pregnant again right away, it’s important to start a reliable method of birth control as soon as you’re ready.

At carafem, you can choose to have an IUD or implant placed during the same in-office visit as your abortion, or we can help you get started with Depo Provera, birth control pills, or other options that fit your life. You can explore all available methods here: birth control options.

6. Will anyone be able to tell if I've had an abortion?

In almost all cases, no — there are no physical signs that would tell someone you’ve had an abortion. Whether you use medication abortion or have an in-office procedure, your body recovers quickly, and nothing about your appearance or a routine exam automatically reveals that you had one.

For people who have specific privacy concerns, it can be helpful to know that misoprostol can be taken in different ways. When used buccally (placed in your cheeks and then swallowed), there’s nothing left for a clinician to see later. When taken vaginally, a provider might see undissolved remnants for a few days afterward during a pelvic exam. The medication works the same either way — this difference is only about visibility during an exam.

Outside of that brief window, there is no exam, test, or physical indicator that can show someone you’ve had an abortion. Your care is private, and your choice remains your own.

7. Can I still have an orgasm after an abortion?

Absolutely. Having an abortion has no impact on your ability to have an orgasm or enjoy sex. Those two things aren’t connected — other than the fact that both abortion and female pleasure are rarely talked about openly and often carry unnecessary stigma.

Your body’s ability to experience pleasure doesn’t change because of a medication or a procedural abortion. You can have an orgasm whenever you feel physically and emotionally ready. Just remember that fertility can return very quickly, so if you’re having sex and don’t want to get pregnant again, make sure you’re using a reliable method of birth control.

8. Is it normal to feel emotional after an abortion?

Yes. It’s completely normal to have emotions after an abortion, and those emotions don’t look the same for everyone. Many people report feeling relief — and long-term research backs that up. In the landmark UCSF Turnaway Study, which followed people for five years after their abortions, over 95% said the abortion was the right decision for them, and 84% reported feeling positive about their choice or neutral with no negative emotions at the five-year mark.

For people who struggled with the decision or felt worried about stigma, it was common to feel sadness, guilt, or anger shortly afterward — but the study showed that those feelings declined sharply over time, especially in the first year. Relief remained the most common emotion throughout.

If your feelings look different from someone else’s, that doesn’t mean anything is wrong. Emotional responses are personal, shaped by your life, your support system, and your circumstances — and every response is valid.

If you’d like someone to talk to before or after an abortion, judgment-free support is available through organizations like Exhale or All-Options, where trained volunteers can talk or text with you about whatever you’re feeling.

9. Is it weird not to feel guilty after an abortion?

Not at all. In fact, it’s extremely common not to feel guilt after an abortion. As we mentioned above, long-term research from UCSF shows that the overwhelming majority of people — 84% at the five-year mark — felt either positive about their abortion or felt neutral with no negative emotions. Relief was the most common feeling throughout the study.

Guilt isn’t a requirement, and the absence of guilt doesn’t mean you’re cold, careless, or doing something “wrong.” It means you made the decision that was right for you based on your life, your health, and your circumstances. That’s a responsible, thoughtful choice — not something to feel ashamed of.

How you feel afterward is personal, and not feeling guilty is just as normal as any other emotional response.

10. Will having an abortion make my period different afterward?

It’s very normal for your first period after a medication abortion to be different than what you’re used to. For many people, that first cycle can be heavier, lighter, longer, shorter, or just generally unpredictable — and all of those patterns fall within the range of normal.

Here’s what’s happening: after the pregnancy ends, your hormone levels shift quickly, and your uterine lining is resetting itself. That transition period can make your first period look or feel “off.” Some people notice more cramping or clotting than usual; others have a surprisingly light period. Some get their period earlier than expected, while others don’t see it return for 4–6 weeks.

After that initial cycle or two, most people go right back to their usual pattern. A medication or procedural abortion doesn’t change your long-term menstrual cycle, and it doesn’t cause irregular periods down the road. If anything feels dramatically different for more than a couple cycles — or if you have a question about what you’re seeing — carafem is always available to check in and help make sense of it.

11. Will an abortion affect my sex drive?

Not in any long-term way. An abortion doesn’t change your ability to feel desire, enjoy sex, or experience pleasure. But it can temporarily shift your libido — and that has more to do with hormones, stress, and recovery than with the abortion itself.

After a medication abortion, pregnancy hormones (especially hCG and progesterone) drop quickly. Anytime hormones change suddenly, it’s normal for libido to fluctuate. Some people notice a dip in desire because they’re tired, crampy, or emotionally processing the experience. Others actually notice a brief increase in libido as their body resets — all of which is completely normal.

What matters most is giving yourself space to follow your own pace. Your sex drive should return to its usual pattern once your body and mind settle, which often happens within a few days to a few weeks. And remember — your ability to enjoy sex or have orgasms is not affected by having an abortion.

If you’re exploring your options or want care that’s private, supportive, and straightforward, carafem offers medication abortion by mail via abortion pills online as well as in-clinic abortion appointments at our health centers. Whatever you choose, you deserve clear information, compassionate care, and a team you can trust every step of the way.