A miscarriage can cause psychological distress that impacts sexual desires. It can also lead to nightmares and suicidal thoughts in both women and men.
Many health care professionals recommend couples wait until their first period has returned after a miscarriage. However, this time frame can vary from couple to couple.
Physical Recovery
Miscarriage can be a physically and emotionally traumatic event. The healing process can vary from person to person, and it may take time before a woman feels ready to resume her sexual activities.
A miscarriage is a loss of a pregnancy, usually during the first trimester. It is more common than most people realize, and it can happen to anyone. Depending on the type of miscarriage, it can be completed naturally or require medical interventions, such as medication or a D&C (dilation and curettage).
When women feel ready to engage in intimate activity again, they should talk with their doctors. Generally, they will give the go-ahead as long as the woman’s bleeding has stopped and she is on a regular menstrual cycle.
It is recommended that women wait for 1-2 full menstrual cycles before trying to get pregnant again. This gives the body time to complete its physical recovery and allow for hormonal re-balancing.
If a woman wishes to try to conceive again, she should consider using an ovulation kit to determine when she is most fertile. Having sex at this time will increase the chances of conception. Additionally, the woman should be sure to use a condom in case of any complications. She should also remember that her partner should not take advantage of her vulnerability after a miscarriage and should respect her feelings.
Emotional Recovery
The emotional aftermath of a miscarriage can be challenging. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to pregnancy loss grief, and it can vary in intensity from person to person. The experience of a miscarriage can be especially difficult on both partners, which is why many women and couples seek counseling after a miscarriage. In addition to the loss of the unborn child, a miscarriage can be devastating for anyone who had hopes and dreams of having a baby.
People who have a miscarriage may feel pressure from friends and family to “get over it” and move on as soon as the bleeding stops, but this is not always possible. The physical and psychological impacts of a miscarriage can last for a long time.
If you had a simple miscarriage in the first trimester, your health care professional might recommend that sexual activity resume as soon as the bleeding has stopped and the uterus is clear. However, a miscarriage in the later stages of pregnancy or after complications like a missed miscarriage or a dilation and curettage (D and C) procedure might require more time before you can have sex.
Depending on how you and your partner deal with these issues, you might decide to wait longer than your doctor’s recommendation to have sex. This is fine, as long as you have open and honest communication with your partner.
Medical Issues
Some women have vaginal bleeding for a few weeks after a miscarriage, which can be painful. This is normal, and it is often a sign that the cervix has closed again. It is best to wait until the bleeding and pain have stopped before having sex, and to use a pad instead of a tampon.
If you do have sex too soon after a miscarriage, you may develop infections from bacteria entering the uterus through the cervix. This can be very uncomfortable and can increase the healing time needed for the miscarriage.
In some cases, you will need to have a procedure called a dilation and curettage (D&C) after your miscarriage to remove any remaining tissue from the uterus. This can also delay sexual activity because the cervix remains dilated. In this case, you will need to wait until the bleeding and pain have stopped and your gynecologist gives you the go-ahead.
It can take a long time to feel ready for sexual intimacy again after a miscarriage. If you and your partner are unsure about when you are ready for sex, open communication is key. It is perfectly normal to not want sex right away after a miscarriage, and your partner should respect that. Over time, most couples do feel ready for physical intimacy. Some people also find that their libido takes even longer to return after a miscarriage, and this is okay too.
Sexual Issues
Some people experience a wide range of feelings after a miscarriage, including sexual feelings. These feelings may be a part of the grieving process. It is important to give yourself and your partner space and time to feel what you are feeling. If you are not ready to be intimate or to have sex, let your partner know. There are other ways to be physically close with your partner like hand-holding, cuddling and back rubs.
If you are planning to have a baby, it is important to talk with your healthcare professional about when it’s safe to start trying again. It may take some time before you are able to conceive again, and it will be different for everyone.
It is also a good idea to be cautious of sex until your doctor tells you it’s OK. Having sex too soon after a miscarriage can increase the risk of infection and bleeding. In addition, if the cervix is open from the miscarriage, it can cause problems with the next pregnancy.
If you have a history of miscarriage, it’s more likely that you will have problems with future pregnancies. However, only about 1 percent of women have recurrent pregnancy loss. Most pregnancies are healthy, and it’s important to keep positive after a miscarriage. Remember, the grief and loss can be difficult, but you can heal and eventually start trying again.
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