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Making the decision to go through with an abortion it is often a stressful one.
There are many reasons why that decision is made whether it’s due to the health of the mother, learning about the health of the baby, and also that it’s just not the right time to bring a child into the world.
Whatever the situation is, it’s not one for others to judge, that is your decision and whatever you choose to do, it’s right for you.
Because it’s a stressful situation, there could be an effect on your upcoming menstrual cycle.
As explored in previous articles, stress can delay your period because your body is trying to regulate everything else (and it’s been said that delaying ovulation helps to prevent a pregnancy during a stressful time based on history).
Some women see their periods return quickly, within 4-8 weeks, while others may not see it as soon.
Let’s take a look at the basics of an abortion, different types, and then we can discuss how it can affect your next cycle (or two).
Abortion – General Information
An abortion is when pregnancy is ended at an early stage through an outside intervention. While there is a term, spontaneous abortion, it’s sort of a misnomer. It’s essential to note that this is a miscarriage.
This was not a pregnancy where the parents decided to terminate it, it’s when the body did it naturally [1].
The body, once a woman is pregnant, starts creating pregnancy hormones and preparing all the organs for sustaining a new life.
This means that during the time before and even after the abortion for a period of time, the woman can still experience some pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and sensitivity to smells.
The body must go back to normal and let those hormones regulate in order for you to start feeling yourself again and so that you start having a cycle again.
When you make the decision to get an abortion you’ll want to go to a trained medical practitioner. Going to a place that isn’t can risk your health and your future fertility.
There are two types of abortion, a medical abortion, and a surgical abortion.
No matter which you choose an early abortion will not impair your fertility or result in complications later in pregnancies.
Both medical and surgical method can be used to induce abortion throughout the pregnancy. The choice of method used depends on factors such as pre-existing medical conditions, preference of women and availability of surgeon.
Medical Abortion
The medical abortion is as it states, it’s done with medicine and one of the most common medications used for this is mifepristone, a progesterone receptor modulator. Since progesterone is required to maintain pregnant uterus in quiescent state, mifepristone will bring about uterine contractions and result in expulsion of fetus.
This is followed by prostaglandin analogue misoprostol, which can now be administered in lower doses, and brings about strong contractions to expel products of conception.
This is something you must get from a doctor and is not an over-the-counter medication. The name may change depending on where you are located however they all do the same thing.
Surgical Abortion
As the name states, this is an abortion done surgically where the doctor will do either a manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) or a dilation and evacuation (D&E).
The former is generally done within the first 12 weeks and the second can be done after the first month [3].
What About your Menstrual Cycle after an Abortion
When you terminate a pregnancy during the first trimester, your period should return in four to eight weeks [4].
Generally, the earlier in the pregnancy you have the abortion, the sooner your cycle will return.
However, that does also depend on what type of birth control you are using (as some can delay or lighten your period, even stop it completely.
No matter what type of method you are using, if you don’t see your period return within the eight weeks, it’s advised to contact your doctor to check for pregnancy or any underlying conditions.
Right after the abortion, your body is going to prioritize expelling all the remnants from the lost pregnancy.
This includes fetal tissue in addition to other debris from your uterus, and it’s characterized by heavy bleeding.
Essentially, this is your first period because it is the beginning of your cycle, getting your body ready to ovulate once again.
The first period after an abortion might not be what you usually anticipate. It could be lighter than your normal one and might not last for the length of time that is normal for you.
That next period could even be heavier than you normally would expect as well. However, if your period is exceptionally heavy and long (filling more than one pad every two hours), you’ll want to contact your doctor.
What Could Change?
When it does come to that next period, as stated above, it might not be what you would normally expect. It could be different in multiple aspects than what your periods were like before your abortion.
One change could be the flow. If you had a surgical abortion, it could result in a lighter period than normal, and with a medical abortion, it could be heavier than normal [5].
You might also find that you have more PMS and other symptoms such as back pain and cramping for the first few cycles. This is normal and should eventually even out to what you experienced before [6].
One reason that the period after a medical abortion is heavier is that the body is still expelling all pregnancy-related tissues [7].
A surgical abortion removes the products of conception and endometrial lining, which results in lighter periods.
Pregnancy Test After Abortion
After an abortion, many want to see if it was successful and taking a pregnancy test is a sure way to determine that. Right?
Well, not necessarily depending on when you take it. A pregnancy test measures the levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in the urine which is the pregnancy hormone as we’ll call it.
While the hormone does decrease very quickly after an abortion, there is still some in the body for up to four weeks after having an abortion [8].
After this point, it’s safe to take a test and determine that you are in fact no longer pregnant. Before that, you may get a false positive because your body hasn’t fully cleared the hormones from your system.
A blood test is a bit different because they can see the actual levels of the hormone. A test can be taken just before the abortion and then about five days post-abortion. If the levels have decreased, then the abortion is successful [9].
Getting Pregnant After Abortion
In that timeframe between the abortion and your next period, you may ovulate. However, this time can vary for different women and depends on how far the pregnancy was when the abortion happened.
Generally, this happens before the second cycle, the first cycle is when the body is still clearing out the pregnancy hormones and such and getting back to being regular again [10].
Because you will not know if you are ovulating yet, it’s recommended that you take precautions to prevent another pregnancy. Either you or your partner could investigate different methods of birth control.
In addition to not wanting to go through another abortion, your body will need time to heal from the loss of a pregnancy so another one is not recommended until at least a few months when it is Fully recovered.
This is very true for those who have had a surgical abortion where the cervix needs to heal from an actual surgery.
Final Thoughts
Again, having an abortion is an extremely personal decision and one that will affect you not only physically but also mentally as well.
Take care after your procedure to care for yourself, whatever that entails. It could be seeing a therapist, taking some yoga classes and meditation (once cleared by your doctor), getting a massage or a spa day, etc. It’s up to you.
Each person will handle it differently but treat your body with respect afterward and when you are ready to start your family, you will still be able to.
Do you have a question about your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, abortion or any other related topic? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
References
- Visit https://www.webmd.com/women/abortion-procedures#1
- See https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/mifepristone
- See above #1
- Planned Parenthood. What can I expect After Having an In-Clinic Abortion? [link]
- Aliya Khan via First Cry Parenting. Period After Abortion – Symptoms, Changes and Self Care Tips. [link]
- See above #5
- New Kids-Center. What’s Period After Abortion Like When to Worry? [link]
- Women Help Women. Was My Abortion Successful? [link]
- see above #8
- see above #7
Hi. I had a miscarriage on the 2nd of January and had sex a few days after without using the protection ,but started to bleed again,but getting pain. Could I get pregnant again within days apart?
It is very important that you give yourself time to heal both emotionally and physically before you try to conceive again. Physical recovery after a miscarriage is quick and takes only a few days. After about a month, your body will be working normally and your menstrual cycles will begin once again. It is possible to become pregnant during your first menstrual cycle after your miscarriage or abortion.
I had an abortion November 6th. Four weeks later I had my first menstrual cycle on December 6th everything was normal my menstrual last five days as it normally does. But I’m waiting for my second menstrual cycle to arrive. I was supposed to start January 5th but as of today, nothing has happened. I did have unprotected sex with my husband on December 22 and 24 but we use the pull-out method. Could my abortion procedure affect my cycles?
Yes, it is possible for the abortion to affect your menstrual cycle. Read more here http://womanjunction.com/menstrual-cycle-abortion/
Same thing happen to me. I was expecting to have menstruation on 17th January. But still it not happen. What should I do now?
I had a medical abortion on 31st of Nov, after the abortion, I bleed for 2 days heavily but lightly for 4 days with much pains and cramps. After some days I was relieved; on 4th of this January I started another bleeding again with much pains and cramping. Today is the third day of my bleeding with pains could this be normal. Pls help me, is it normal for me to pass through this pain.
I had a surgical abortion on the 5th Dec and waited about 3 weeks before intercourse but I bleed every time I have sex now. Do I have to see a doctor?
Yes, you need to go back to your doctor as soon as possible.
I had an abortion and i was asked to evacuate on the 29th of nov 2015, till today 4th of dec, i still haven’t seen my periods……both blood and urine test prove negative. What could be wrong?
In most instances, a menstrual cycle is expected within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion.
Hi I had an medical abortion Nov 30. had heavy bleeding within the hour of taking the meds i bled on and off during the rest of the next month but it was heavy at first and brownish two weeks after. Follow up appt on Dec 23, went well everything was out except some tissue that i was told would pass on it’s own I started bleeding Jan 2. it’s heavy and a bit painful I’m wondering if this is my normal menstrual cycle returning or should I be concerned?
Hello, If you don’t normally experience pain with your period then it could be a cause for concern especially if accompanied with fever, but normally after an abortion a normal period is expected to return 4-8 weeks so maybe its just your period returning.
I had a medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol on 19th Dec. I had heavy bleeding and cramps for a week and then it stopped with a bit of old blood or clots discharging off and on but since yesterday, I have been having frank fresh bleeding like during a normal period. I did have protected sex a few times after the bleeding had stopped the first time. is this normal?? I am not having any abdominal pain or discomfort.
Hello, A normal period is expected to return anywhere from 4-8 weeks after an abortion, the first bleeding you experience after an abortion is not a period. so maybe what you are experiencing now is your period,try not to have unprotected sex without considering birth control as you can get pregnant again.
I had unprotected sex after 26 days of abortion and miscarriage.I was taking semen inside my vagina.Can I get pregnant because of this?
I got an abortion last dec 2nd and i had unprotected sex last dec 21st . It is possible that i will be pregnant?
Hi, Yes it can be possible you are pregnant as you can get pregnant easily after an abortion if not using contraceptives.
I had an abortion on the 5th of december i stopped bleeding on the 2nd week. i did a test on the 3rd week and it was negative but i started having little bleeding which happens in the morning and stop when i put on pad. what would it be an infection or it’s normal?
Hi,Irregular bleeding or spotting for as long as the first 3 weeks is normal if its longer check with your doctor.
Hey, I had an abortion on 26th Nov, and then after 4 weeks a had intercourse with my boyfriend but didn’t finish in me, but up to now I still haven’t yet gotten my period yet -took a test and showed negative, am I safe?
Don’t worry about your delayed period – in most instances, a menstrual cycle is expected within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion.
Hello. I had an abortion on 25th November had no complications but it has been six weeks now and there’s no menstruation, is it normal? How long can it be possible for someone to get pregnant after abortion?
Don’t worry about your delayed period – in most instances, a menstrual cycle is expected within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion. It is very important that you give yourself time to heal both emotionally and physically before you try to conceive again. Physical recovery after a miscarriage is quick and takes only a few days. After about a month, your body will be working normally and your menstrual cycles will begin once again. It is possible to become pregnant during your first menstrual cycle after your miscarriage or abortion.
Could it be possible that a medical abortion won’t work. and you could be pregnant after that though you have not had sex?
Hi, Yes it is possible for an abortion to fail and you can still be pregnant but after 4-6 weeks you can take a pregnancy test to find out.
Hello, Yes medical abortion can fail but it rarely happens.
I had an abortion on the 14th of August and the 3 month contraceptive after the abortion my period was heavy at first then it stopped for a month but after that I did not stop having a period even till today. it will stop for maybe a day, but it just continues forever. I am getting worried now, what should I do?
Hi Claudia, you really should talk to your ob/gyn or your doctor about this issue
hello .. i did an abortion on the 25th november and i haven’t had my menses again. what could be wrong? i don’t see any signs of pregnancy also.
Hi, A normal period is expected to start anywhere from 4-6 weeks after the abortion.
Hello. I had my medical abortion on December 3rd, I’m still bleeding but the bleeding did get lighter & stopped for about two days & then continued as light. I did go on Birth control a few days after the abortion. I’m experiencing cramps now, bloating, & a little bit of nasuea. Is this normal? I did have sex about a week after, he put the tip in for at least two mins & then put a condom on to finish. I’m really paranoid & can’t help to think this can be signs of pregnancy or maybe a period ?
The effects of an abortion include bleeding, cramps or a vaginal discharge. If these symptoms are excessive and you have a high fever then you must see a doctor. It is very important that you give yourself time to heal both emotionally and physically before you try to conceive again. Physical recovery after a miscarriage is quick and takes only a few days. After about a month, your body will be working normally and your menstrual cycles will begin once again. You may not be pregnant but it is possible to become pregnant during your first menstrual cycle after your miscarriage or abortion.