HOW LONG ARE PERIODS DELAYED AFTER AN ABORTION?
Going for surgical and medical methods to abort a pregnancy is common. However, you may experience different from other women. The resuming back off your menstrual cycle after pregnancy termination may also differ. It may rely upon the conditions like the type of abortion you have and the condition of your monthly flow before going into the procedure.
What is the difference between menstruation and post-abortion bleeding?
Women may experience ovulation after the procedure, and it is common. It looks like menses. However, this blood flow is different. The bleeding may be intense. It occurs due to the driving out of pregnancy tissues from the uterus. Some women do not get any blood flow after an abortion. Additionally, they do not bleed until their next date.
Timing of the blood flow
Your next monthly flow after an abortion may rely upon the type of procedure you have undergone, including surgical or medical abortion. When women undergo a medical approach, healthcare professionals or other experts may prescribe two medications. The first tablet crashes down the lining of the uterus. The fetus cannot grow anymore, and pregnancy falls.
Some women may have menses after using the first medication. Nevertheless, your healthcare provider supervises the working of the first tablet. The second medication is taken after you are discharged from the clinic or hospital. It induces your uterus to secrete its contents. The patient may start ovulating within half an hour to four after the medication intake.
The blood flow may increase and become more intense until you have removed the fetus completely. You may experience a heavy flow after four to five hours the intake of the second tablet. However, the timing may differ in some women. Release of blood clots may also take place. The flow may get lighter after some hours. Afterward, you may have your normal menstruation.
In the case of surgical abortion, women may experience flow after the expert completes the procedure. Bleeding may occur three to five days after the operation. The blood flow is usually milder than the usual flow. The ovulation may discontinue or remain until you have your next flow. However, if this continues, the flow may get lighter with time.
Time interval
It is usual to bleed about seven to fourteen days after either type of procedure of removing the pregnancy. In some women, the blood flow begins after pregnancy termination, stops for some days, and starts again. Nevertheless, it should discontinue after a week or two. They may experience spotting or lighter bleeding until you have your next monthly flow.
If you have used a period delay pill before the procedure, make sure to discuss them with your doctor.
Characteristics
Post-abortion ovulation may look like period flow. However, the color may differ. It may be more of a brown color than red. Menstruation is usually lighter in a surgical method than a medical one.
Some activities could make the flow of blood lighter or even heavier. It may be mild when you are at rest. Conversely, if you exercise or do workouts, it may get intense. Some women may see the release of blood clots too. It is typically not a thing to worry about. These lumps may vary in size, being larger or smaller. Moreover, some clots may seem like lemon and as big as it. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider for an evaluation if the release of mass occurs along with intense bleeding and doesn’t go away after two hours.
Some women may experience the release of discharge with a tinge of blood. It can be wiry such as mucus. However, it should not give a foul smell or be green or yellow. Reach out to the expert if this happens. This indicates an infection.
Other symptoms
Medical procedure
You may experience some other symptoms associated with the kind of abortion you have undergone. The negative aftermath of using medications for pregnancy termination may include the following-
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Diarrhoea
- Tiredness
- Headache
As fever can also indicate an infection, it is advised to talk to your expert if you experience body aches, pelvic pain, fever, or heavy blood flow.
Surgical abortion
Undergoing a surgical approach can also lead to cause some side effects. They may include the following-
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Tiredness
Sanitary products
Healthcare professionals and other experts suggest avoiding menstrual cups and tampons for at least fourteen to fifteen days after undergoing any approach for pregnancy termination.
You can use sanitary napkins during that phase. Moreover, continue doing the same until your doctor advises using another kind of protection our products.
When does your first menses arrive after abortion?
After undergoing the procedure, your monthly flow may resume within thirteen days or so.
Timing of the blood flow
Your menstrual cycle should resume within a month or so after the removal of the pregnancy. However, the pregnancy hormones can last for some weeks afterward and result in deferring your ovulation. If you don’t get your menstruation even after eight weeks, consider taking a pregnancy test at home. Moreover, you can also reach out to your doctor to ensure your health condition.
Time interval
Your first bleeding may end sooner if you had a surgical abortion. It may be longer in the case of the medical approach. This irregularity is due to the normalization of your hormones and the process of ovulation.
Characteristics
Your first blood flow may be more intense and bulky than the normal ones in the case of using medications. It happens due to the elimination of extra tissue from your womb (uterus). In addition, some women may also experience the release of blood clots.
The ovulation after undergoing a surgical approach may be milder at the initial phase. Moreover, you may experience getting it normal within some months. The discharge or releasing content should not smell stinking. If this happens, talk to your healthcare provider without any delay. It can be a warning of some illness.
Other symptoms
Women may experience more pelvic pain than normal flow during some monthly cycles after the pregnancy termination. If you want to relieve pelvic pain associated with menses, talk to your doctor before using a pill to stop it.
Nevertheless, the rest symptoms may be like the ones you usually have during your past blood flow. They may include the following-
- Bloating
- Mood changes
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Tender breasts
- Muscle aches
Sanitary products
After a week or two after you undergo the abortion, you can start using your regular sanitary products.
What will the second and coming monthly flow be like?
Once your menses flow resumes, you have a semi-regular cycle. It is usual for some women to have an uneven flow for the initial months after the procedure.
Your menstruation may end quickly or last longer than the regular bleeding for some months. Moreover, the flow may be more intense than in the past, particularly when you take medications for pregnancy termination. You can use your regular sanitary products when you get your second ovulation after the procedure. It means you can use the options you feel comfortable in.
Can birth control influence your menstrual cycle?
After undergoing the procedure to remove your pregnancy, you can use contraceptive methods. They may include the intrauterine device (IUD), birth control pills, implants, and condoms. Moreover, you can use them instantly after some days of your abortion. If you have dropped your pregnancy in your second trimester, you should wait for a month before going for birth control methods, such as a cervical cap, intrauterine device, or diaphragm.
The birth control methods containing hormones such as contraceptive pills may make your flow lighter and decrease the number of days you have bleeding after your procedure. In addition, women may also get their regular ovulation back sooner if they use this contraceptive method.
When can you expect pregnancy after an abortion?
Your menstrual cycle may resume after around three weeks of a medical procedure of abortion. However, some women experience the flow after a week or so. It indicates that they can conceive again if they haven’t bled yet. Therefore, reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss contraceptive methods.
Dropping off pregnancy does not influence your chances of conceiving in most cases. There may be a concern over undergoing a surgical procedure frequently. The use of instruments for eliminating the pregnancy from your uterus may cause scarring. These injuries are known as intrauterine adhesions. Moreover, this scarring can lead to difficulty getting pregnant in some women.
When should you reach out to your doctor?
Following are the conditions that demand instant medical care-
- You need to use two or more sanitary pads in an hour for more than 2 hours continuously.
- You are experiencing a stinking smell in the discharge.
- The release of a blood clot that is bigger than a lemon takes place.
- You have throbbing pain in the belly or back.
- The prescribed medications are not able to relieve your pain.
- You have a high degree fever crossing 100 degrees or 38 degrees Celsius.
- Tremors are taking place.
- Your discharge is of green or yellow color.
In addition, if you have undergone a medical abortion and your menses are not resumed within two days, inform your doctor. It may indicate that you are still pregnant or still have some part of pregnancy in the uterus.
You should also inform your healthcare provider if you don’t get your bleeding even after two months of your procedure.
What is the recovery time of abortion?
The time when a woman gets back normal after the procedure may vary from one woman to other.
If you have terminated pregnancy in the first trimester and have no side effects, you may recover quicker. However, if you go for aborting the fetus in the last trimester, recovery may take a longer time. It can also take several weeks if complications occur due to pregnancy termination. This is very rare.
What are the tips to take care of yourself after removing your pregnancy?
A few days after the procedure, women may feel exhausted and drained. Nevertheless, you can manage your physical and mental health through some steps.
Here are some care tips-
Medical care
Almost every woman needs post-abortion checkups to ensure her health condition. Your doctor may ask you to rest at home and do not go for future checkups if there are no chances of complications and other risks. Notify your doctor right away if you experience any abnormal symptoms or side effects after the procedure.
Emotional care
The decision to pregnancy termination can be difficult to deal with. The levels of reproductive hormones like progesterone and estrogen usually decrease, causing mood changes. After the regular menstrual cycle resumes, your hormonal balance returns to normal. Women with a history of mental health conditions are at more risk of mental health conditions. Hence, you can look for emotional support and seek psychotherapy if required.
Physical care
Cramping is common after undergoing an abortion. After the procedure, take someone to take you home and rest from your work for at least two to three days. Moreover, avoid doing any heavy exercise or don’t stress out.
If you want to defer your menses, talk with your healthcare provider before using any tablet to postpone your menstruation. After termination of pregnancy, the cervix takes some time to get closed, which increases the threat of infection. Therefore, to avoid or reduce that risk, follow the tips given below-
- Avoid inserting anything into the vagina
- Evade bathing in the swimming pool
- Avoid using tampons
- Do not prefer penetrative sex
Self-care tips
Taking care of oneself is always important. After an abortion, or anything challenging, it becomes more crucial. Abortion is a short procedure. However, it can take some months to recover. The following tips can help improve your mood-
- Take over-the-counter medications to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Massage your lower back and stomach
- Go for follow up appointments
- Try using heat packs
