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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
Hello. I had my abortion on 24th Feb. After taking 4 tablets I started bleeding heavily then after 2 days gap I again started bleeding, which lasted for 6 to 7 days. Now after 3 weeks when I went to the gym to use the treadmill, I again started bleeding. What should I do?
I am 21yr I had abortion on feb 17th, my periods started it was supposed to end by 5 days but it took 8days to stop. I was supposed to get periods by march 17th, today it’s 19th and still I haven’t got my period. I am worried
Hi Susha. Your regular period can take 4-8 weeks to return after an abortion. Good luck.
I was aborted on Feb 17th and my periods started by that day. It was supposed to end within 5 days but it took 8 days to end. I still didn’t get my periods – it’s Mar 19th I’m worried once in between after abortion I checked by pregnancy kit it showed negative…I am worried how to get periods please help.
Don’t worry about your delayed period – in most instances, a menstrual cycle is expected within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion.
I had an abortion around feb 14 I bled until the 15. my husband and I have had sex since then and I still haven’t received my first period. I have heavy cramping and very very light bleeding. Could I be pregnant again or maybe a sign of pregnancy ?
Hi Rachel. Unprotected sex can always lead to pregnancy. You can expect your regular period to return 4-8 weeks after the abortion.
I had an abortion on the 16th of february and i bleeded for a week starting from that day, but i have not seen my period… Please when am i likely to see it
Hello. Expect your regular period 4-8 weeks after the abortion.
I had an abortion on Feb 13, started Nuvaring bc on Feb 21. Removed my bc on March 13 and I have still not received my period, and I’m supposed to re insert my bc ring on March 20. Is this normal or should I be worried?
Hi, It’s not very unusual, but please take advice of your health care adviser. All the best!
Hi.. we had terminated 5weeks ago and I started taking the pill a week later after all bleeding had stopped. However I am supposed to be expecting my period now as I’m on the last line on the pill. I did not get it as yet. My concern is I know it takes 4-8 weeks but should i start a new pack of pill when this is finished? Pls pls help
Hi Serah, you should really talk about that with your doctor
Hi i did an abortion three weeks ago, started my period three days later and it’s over a week now am still on my period. Please is it normal
Hello, it’s not period bleeding, it’s post abortion bleeding. It’s completely normal to bleed for one-three weeks. Just be sure that it’s not extra ordinarily heavy bleeding.
I had an abortion about 8 weeks ago. Roughly 6 weeks later I had a period, which would be two weeks ago. I am starting another period today. Also, I am taking birth control (correctly) and have been for the last two weeks. Is this something normal? I am on Nuvaring and it is still inserted.
Hi. Ii had an abortion Jan 18th and it’s now March 14th. I haven’t had my period as yet and I’m a bit concerned. I did 2 pregnancy tests and they were negative. Any suggestions?
It can take at least 8 weeks for a period to return after an abortion. Since you’re not pregnant continue to practice safe sex and wait for it to come.
Im danielle and i had a early termination as i was 5 weeks pregnant i took the abortion tablets and then 2 weeks later i had very heavy bleeding that i knew was not normal i went the walk in centre and they tested me and said i was still pregnant the tablets did not work proper they rushed me for a scan and found 3cm of pregnant tissue still in my womb i had to then get rushed to theatre to get it surgically removed it has now been over 2 weeks and i am still awaiting for my period to come. I am worried as i have none stop bled up untill theatre nearly 3 weeks ago and i have not had a normal menstrual period yet. Can anyone give advice as to wheather it is normal
Hi Danielle, it’s normal to have a 4-8 week gap after surgical abortion. So do not worry about it.
I used mifigest kit 2 weeks ago. Then my bleeding started and then cleared. After 4 days again my bleeding started. What’s the reason please help me.
I took misoprostol on the 7th of march and I saw my period in the morning on the 8th of march, it was a heavy flow in d first day but changed on the second nd third day but my period continues on the 13th with stomach cramps, I don’t know wen the period will Stop bcos my boyfriend is afraid that Nothing happens to my womb after I took the drug
Hi, the bleeding here is not due to period. It’s post abortion bleeding and it’s normal to bleed for one to three weeks for this.
I did have a surgical abortion on 5th of February. I am now 1 month and a week post abortion and no signs of my periods.I went to see the doctor and he prescribed tabs to help induce periods. Is this normal? Is it possible for a woman to never get her periods after such a procedure???
Yes it is normal. A menstrual cycle is expected within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion.
I had an abortion on the 21st February and I bled for five days but after I’m still experiencing tender breast and some cramping in my thighs. The bloating has stopped but my breasts aa still full n tender. It’s been 3 weeks now after the abortion and I did the test last Friday and it was positive. I know it’s too early for a test but I’m very scared. Please help me. Was my abortion complete? Because I had a first abortion, I didn’t pass any clot but was successful. Please help me when will my period come?
Generally, hCG (hormonal) levels will remain high up to 6 weeks after abortion or miscarriage. It may be necessary to re-test a few times after an abortion to ensure that the pregnancy has been terminated. In most instances, a menstrual cycle is expected within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion.
I had an abortion ( in a doc’s office) on Feb 10. Two weeks after the abortion I had protected sex, likely when I would have ovulated. It is now March 13 and I still haven’t gotten my period. I know it typically takes 4-6 weeks but since yesterday my breast have been sore, could I be pregnant again is it just hormone changes?
Yes, it could be related to your hormones. Take a pregnancy test to rule our pregnancy. Bear in mind though that generally, hCG hormone levels will remain high up to 6 weeks after abortion or miscarriage. It may be necessary to re-test a few times after an abortion to ensure that the pregnancy has been terminated.
Update: Ended up seeing the ob-gyn who did the procedure bc the symptoms scared me that maybe I was pregnant again. He did blood work, my hCG were 30 so the procedure worked and not pregnant, I am told to repeat the blood work in a week to make sure hCG levels are not increasing. However, my thyroid levels are high and I am told my symptoms could be related to that. Is it possible that the abortion caused my thyroid to be high? Is it possible that once I get my period and I am regular again that my thyroid will go back to normal? All this is hormones related, and I read that high thyroid is normal after pregnancy, this is kind of similar. I am just not ready to start a pill if this will all level out in a few months. Thoughts/advice??