Some birth control methods may affect the regularity of periods after an abortion. If a person typically has irregular periods , they may continue to experience these after an abortion.
Experiencing stress can change the regularity of periods. If a woman has irregular periods after an abortion and did not previously, she should speak to her doctor. The abortion procedure fully empties the uterus, so there is less tissue to expel, which can result in a lighter period. This period can also be heavier as the body may have additional tissue to expel after the procedure. Using pads during the first period after an abortion allows a woman to monitor the amount of blood she is losing.
That said, some women may find that it takes two or three cycles for their periods to return to normal. If this does not happen, they should speak to their doctor. Women can start using birth control straight after an abortion. If they want to use an intrauterine device IUD , they can ask a healthcare professional to fit one during the same appointment as the abortion. IUDs are an effective form of birth control. The advantage of copper IUDs is that they do not affect mood, but they may cause heavier periods.
Which contraception method to use is a personal choice, and different options work for different people. If a woman experiences very heavy bleeding after an abortion or pain that is not manageable with over-the-counter pain medication, she should speak to her doctor. Blood clots up to the size of a lemon are normal during postabortion bleeding. Blood clots that are larger than this are something to discuss with a doctor. Symptoms that may include dizziness , sweating, and nausea during or after an abortion are typical.
However, women who feel very faint or have a high temperature should talk to their doctor. To relieve cramps, take ibuprofen up to mg every six hours or Tylenol up to 1, mg every four hours. Rest as well as a hot water bottle or heating pad on the abdomen can help. Pregnancy symptoms of nausea, vomiting and weariness usually cease within three days. Breast tenderness may take seven to 10 days to disappear. Your breasts may feel firm and tender and leak fluid after your procedure.
Your breasts will return to normal after three to four days of swelling. You will feel more comfortable if you wear a supportive bra and apply cold ice packs to your breasts. Take ibuprofen or Tylenol, if necessary, for pain. If you still feel pregnant after a week, call the UCSF Women's Option Center at to speak to one of our health care providers. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call the Women's Options Center to talk to a doctor or nurse.
Your next menstrual period should begin four to seven weeks after the procedure. You can get pregnant before then and should use birth control when you resume sexual intercourse. Your first few cycles may be irregular. If you use a cyclic hormonal birth control method — such as the pill, patch or ring — you should start the method the same day as your procedure. Your next period will occur during the fourth week of the contraceptive cycle.
After an abortion, you may experience a change in the length and strength of your normal period. It could be shorter, longer, lighter or heavier. In any case, it should return to normal the following month.
Post-Medical Abortion : A heavy period after a medical abortion is common. It could extend beyond your normal cycle length or fall short of it.
Post-Surgical Abortion : A lighter flow or spotting is commonly experienced with the first period after a surgical abortion. Light flow is usually associated with a shorter cycle and can quickly dissipate to spotting, which could last longer and come and go. Your body works to bring your hormones back to normal levels following an abortion and can take some time to do so, which of course affects your menstrual cycle. When your body takes a little longer to regulate remaining pregnancy hormones, an irregular period can occur.
Maybe you got your first period but missed your second period after abortion. In either case, you may want to take a pregnancy test. Having no period after weeks from your abortion procedure is one of the first signs that indicate you could either still be pregnant or became newly pregnant. You may also experience some of the following symptoms:. Women can become pregnant relatively quickly after having an abortion thanks to ovulation, which can return to normal within weeks post-procedure.
You can take ibuprofen and paracetamol if needed. You can buy these over-the-counter pain medicines from a pharmacy, supermarket and other shops without a prescription. There are two strengths of ibuprofen tablets and you should carefully follow the directions that apply for the strength that you take.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be used together if the recommended dose of either medicine alone does not control your pain. After an abortion most women feel relieved, but some also feel sad or guilty. Occasionally, although you feel well physically, perhaps it's a bit of a struggle emotionally. Would you like to talk but you're afraid that people are fed up with you…. Not sleeping well This is normal and talking through these feelings with an experienced listener can help.
If you need to talk you can make an appointment for post-abortion counselling. This is a free service for women who have had treatment at BPAS. Symptoms of nausea, vomiting and tiredness usually stop within 3 days of an abortion. Sore breasts may take 7 to 10 days to disappear. Your breasts may feel firm and tender and leak milk after your procedure. You will feel more comfortable if you wear a supportive bra and apply cold ice packs to your breasts.
Take ibuprofen or paracetamol, if necessary for the pain. Your next menstrual period will begin weeks after your treatment.
If you have not had a period 4 weeks after your treatment, you should do a pregnancy test. If it is positive, ring the clinic where you were treated to make a follow up appointment. It's important to remember that any bleeding immediately after your treatment is not a period. Take a bath or shower as normal. Take care if you have a bath in the 24 hours following a general anaesthetic.
You will need to make sure someone is around to keep an eye on you, in case you still feel drowsy. Most women will be fit and well enough to return to normal activities within a day or two. Our best advice is to rest until you feel able to return to your normal routine.
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