Contraception after an abortion
Lawful, licensed, confidential. Termination of pregnancy at Pai Hospital is carried out lawfully under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (as amended), at a licensed facility, by registered medical practitioners, within the limits and the certification that the Act requires. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind, at any stage, for any reason. Your identity and your treatment are confidential.
After an abortion, fertility can return quickly, so contraception is worth thinking about straight away. There are several safe options — from daily pills and injections to longer-acting implants, an intrauterine device, and permanent methods. Which one suits you is decided together, in person, so that a repeat unplanned pregnancy is prevented.
Why this matters, and why now
One thing many women do not expect is how soon the body can become fertile again after an abortion. It can happen quite quickly, often before the next period arrives — which means it is entirely possible to conceive again within a short time. That is why we gently raise contraception as part of your care, rather than leaving it as an afterthought. The last thing anyone wants after an unplanned pregnancy is to find themselves facing the very same situation again soon.
Talking about contraception is in no way a comment on your choices. It is simply good care. Deciding what will protect you next puts you back in control, on your own terms, so that the timing of any future pregnancy becomes yours to choose rather than something that happens to you.
The methods, in plain terms
There is no single method that is right for everyone. Different methods suit different bodies, different plans and different preferences. Here are the main groups, in plain language — the categories only, so that you know what exists. Which specific method is suitable for you, and how it is used, is something we discuss and prescribe individually, never picked off a shelf.
Daily and short-acting hormonal methods. Pills are taken to a regular routine, and there are injections given at set intervals. They work by gently adjusting the body's hormonal cycle. They suit women who are happy to keep to a routine, and most are easily stopped whenever you decide you would like to try for a pregnancy later.
Longer-acting methods. For those who would rather not think about it day to day, there are longer-acting choices. An implant is a tiny, soft rod placed just under the skin of the arm that quietly protects you for a few years. An intrauterine contraceptive device, or IUCD, is a small device placed inside the womb; some release a hormone locally, others are hormone-free copper devices. Both give long protection without a daily routine, and both are fully reversible — they are removed whenever you choose, and fertility returns afterwards.
Barrier methods. Condoms and similar methods work at the time, need no prescription and carry no hormonal effect. They are also the only method that additionally reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections, so they are sometimes used alongside another method.
Permanent methods. For those who feel certain that their family is complete, there are permanent options such as tubal ligation. Because these are intended to be lasting, they are a decision we talk through carefully and never hurry, including what alternatives exist if there is any uncertainty.
Choosing what fits your life
The right method is the one that fits your health, your plans and your preferences — not whichever is quickest to prescribe. We begin with your history: any health conditions, the medicines you take, past pregnancies, and how many children you have or hope to have. Then we talk through what matters to you — whether you would prefer something you control day to day or something long-acting you can put out of your mind, whether you may want to conceive again before long, and how you have felt about any method you have used before.
From there we narrow things down together to the options that genuinely suit you. There is no pressure towards any particular method. The aim is simply that you leave with a plan you are comfortable with and confident about, so that a repeat unplanned pregnancy is far less likely.
The right time to decide is now
A real advantage of thinking about contraception around the time of your abortion care is that a suitable method can often be started without a separate trip later. Because you are already being seen and assessed in person, the options can be discussed and, where appropriate, begun promptly. That convenience matters, because a plan made vaguely for "later" is all too easily forgotten until it is too late.
If you are reading this before coming in, there is nothing you need to arrange yourself. Simply mention, when you contact us, that you would like to talk about contraception, and we will make sure it is part of your visit.
Private, lawful and without judgement
Everything here is confidential. Whether you are married or unmarried, you will be treated with exactly the same respect and the same privacy — unmarried women are just as entitled to this care, and we look after many. Abortion care itself is lawful in India when it is carried out at a government-licensed facility, under the MTP Act, and the same warmth and confidentiality extend to the contraception advice that follows. You can read more about our safe, lawful abortion services, and about contraception & family planning in general.
Why this happens in person
Please be cautious of anyone who offers to arrange contraception, or an abortion, by post or over the phone. Choosing and starting a method safely needs a proper, private assessment — your health history checked, the method matched to you, and, for something such as an implant or an IUCD, a short procedure carried out in person. To receive any of this care you come to the hospital in Goa yourself.
A phone call or online consultation still has a genuine purpose: it lets us understand your situation, tell you whether treatment is feasible, and guide you on the next step. What it cannot do is replace the visit — the care itself is always given in person.
Getting started
The simplest first step is to call or message us. Tell us briefly what is going on, and mention that you would like to discuss contraception. Your first online consultation will help us understand whether treatment is feasible and what the next step should be, but remember that to receive any treatment you will need to come to the hospital in Goa in person — the online consultation only guides you there. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS (Obstetrics & Gynaecology). This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.
How soon after an abortion can I become pregnant again?
Sooner than many people expect — fertility can return quickly, often before your next period. That is exactly why we suggest deciding on contraception straight away, so that a repeat unplanned pregnancy is prevented.
Which method of contraception should I choose?
There is no single method that is right for everyone. It depends on your health, whether you may want a pregnancy later, and your own preferences. We go through the options with you and decide together, rather than picking one off a list.
Can contraception be started at the same time as my abortion care?
Often, yes. Because you are already being seen in person, a suitable method can be discussed and, where appropriate, begun without needing a separate trip. Just tell us you would like to talk about it.
Can I change my mind later if I want to try for a baby?
Yes. Most methods, including implants and the IUCD, are fully reversible and can be stopped or removed whenever you choose, with fertility returning afterwards. Permanent methods are a separate, deliberate decision that we talk through carefully first.
I do not have transport to reach the hospital. Can you help?
Yes. Free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas, so getting to the hospital need not stand in your way. Call or message us and we will help arrange it.
Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641
This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.