Contraception After Surgical and Medical Abortion: A Review

Abstract

Importance: To prevent subsequent unintended pregnancy, contraception should be initiated soon after surgical and medical abortion. Evidence regarding the safety of postabortion contraception, especially for longacting reversible methods, has accumulated in recent years.

Objective: This review seeks to provide up-to-date recommendations about the provision and timing of contraception after surgical and medical abortion.

Evidence acquisition: Recommendations are based on the US Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) or on the authors' review of the current literature for topics that the MEC does not address.

Results: Contraceptive counseling at the time of abortion should be collaborative. All reversible contraceptive methods are safe to begin immediately after surgical abortion, barring concern for surgical complications or underlying medical contraindications. After medical abortion, the implant may be initiated immediately, combined hormonal contraception may be initiated shortly thereafter, and the intrauterine device may be placed once the abortion is complete. Further research is needed to determine the optimal timing of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate initiation after medical abortion.

Conclusions and relevance: Abortion is an important opportunity for contraceptive counseling and provision. Clinic policies and insurance coverage should maximize access to all contraceptive methods, including long-acting reversible methods.