title: Sexual behavior during the first eight weeks after legal termination of pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to describe sexual symptoms and resumption of sexual activity during the first 8 weeks after unrestricted first-trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires 2 and 8 weeks after legal first-trimester abortion in 1327 women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 8-week questionnaire was returned by 941 (71%). Overall, 51.0% of the women recommenced coitus within 2 weeks after TOP. This figure was significantly higher among women aged 18-24 years (60.6%) than among women in higher age groups (41.7-47.8%). At 8 weeks follow-up coitus was reported by 86.9%, ranging from 65.8% of women not in a steady relationship to 93.7% of women in a relationship (p < 0.001), and age-related differences were insignificant. Long duration of vaginal bleeding, medical abortion and need for reevacuation of the uterus diminished the resumption frequency at 2 weeks follow-up, but 8 weeks after termination postabortion complications did not affect resumption. At 8 weeks follow-up 15.3% reported diminished sexual desire and 6.0% reported diminished orgasm ability comparing to prepregnancy level. Of the sexually active women 6.2% did not use sufficient contraception 8 weeks after termination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coitus is recommenced shortly after termination of pregnancy but not always with sufficient contraception. Legal abortion is associated with few adverse effects on sexual function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. hcboesen@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Hans Christian
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Boesen
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rørbye
authors.forename: Mogens
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nørgaard
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nilas
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires