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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
I had a medical abortion in August, it’s November now, and since then I’ve had, what I can only assume, are 3 menstral cycles. After the abortion I bled for about four weeks. My first period was in oct, lasted about a week, pretty light flow, seemed pretty normal to me. Ever since then though, I’ve had a period exactly two weeks apart. Last one was about five days long, and I just start my third since the abortion. Planning to see a doctor but with holidays it’s a little difficult. Just wanting affirmation that a short cycle is, 1) not abnormal, and 2) not going to be my new menstral cycle. Every two weeks is kind of brutal…
It is normal for a period to fluctuate after an abortion but having a period every two weeks is concerning. It is abnormal especially if you’re anemic. This occurrence may be an indication that something else is wrong. Be sure to see your doctor soon.
I had a medical termination at nearly 14wks, this was just over 3wks ago. I’ve been told to wait for my period to return before trying again. I’m 41 so time is not on my side, am I still ovulating even though my period hasn’t yet returned? I’m not sure how long we can wait for my cycle to begin, is it ok to try before it does restart?
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.
Yes, you can ovulate and get pregnant even if you did not have a period.
After my medical abortion I got first period after 4 weeks but second period got with in 18 days in same month there is any problem kindly suggest what should I do now.
It may take some time for your period t return to normal after an abortion. The time that your period lasts, as well as the amount of bleeding and cramping, might change for several months from one cycle to the next. Read more here http://womanjunction.com/menstrual-cycle-abortion/
I did an abortion on the 16th of November, I only bleed very heavy for about 2 to 3 hours that day, I did not bleed again until the 22nd. I had a short bleeding and it stopped. Was the abortion normal and did it occur?
The effects of an abortion include bleeding, cramps or a vaginal discharge; what you’re experiencing is normal. The bleeding my end or continue depending on how your body reacts to the procedure. In most instances, a menstrual cycle is expected within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion.
My wife had an abortion at 6th week.Her blood group is A negative.Doctor forgot to give her injection Anti D 300 mg.Plz tell me if there is any problem or complications?plz explain..i m fully scared
I had án abortion ön the 9th of this month. I bled for some days and I have not seen my cycle – my temperature is high.Am I still pregnant?
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. Don’t worry about your delayed period – in most instances, a menstrual cycle is expected within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion.
Hi there… I’m going through the same things…i had my medical abortion on Oct 6th and took a pregnancy test last Tuesday and it came back positive. now yesterday i started having bad pain and my period came..i think but any how just wait and see.. my period is light and black.. hope yours comes. …
I had an abortion on the 20 November and had bleeding and clots the next day for about 4 hours and then stopped. Is the abortion effective?
Yes, it could be. It is normal to have a short bleeding span. Continue to monitor your flow, it may come back after a dew days.
Please, I had a surgical abortion on the 15th of October and after 5 days I saw a light period for 3 days, later it came again after I saw it after a week again, but I was taking antibiotics given to me after the abortion. This is the next month and I have not seen my period up till now. Please reply me.
Don’t worry about your delayed period – in most instances, a menstrual cycle is expected within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion. Read more about the menstrual cycle after an abortion here http://womanjunction.com/menstrual-cycle-abortion/
Hello I’m 18 and had an abortion the 6th of November, I started birth control a week after which was the 13th of November. I know this was very irresponsible and stupid of me repeating the same mistake but I recently had unprotected sex with my bf on the 8th day of my cycle and I’m worried if I could get pregnant . Please help could I be pregnant again?
Hi,Yes you can get pregnant anytime time after unprotected sex.
I had my abortion on 14th of Oct and bleeding last for ten days then I started my period on 31st of Oct and this last for 7 days. Now I have my period again on 21st of Nov. I want to know is it normal? When I had the abortion my doc didn’t prescribe me any medicine.
Yes, it is normal. Some doctor would sometimes prescribe pain killers and antibiotics after an abortion to alleviate potential pain and prevent infections. Your doctor may have a good reason for not prescribing any medication. Be sure to discuss this on your next visit.
I had a abortion on 10/22/2015. Had unprotected sex three days later. Seen red and brown blood two weeks after abortion. Had unprotected sex again 11/3/2015 and again 11/4/2015. Blood has stop completely have not seen menses. My lower back hurts and still have some nausea. I cry at a drop of a dime thinking did I make the right decision. I feel so remorseful.
Hello,Having unprotected sex puts you at risk to become pregnant again.what you may be feeling now is Post Abortion Stress Syndrome in this case you should speak to someone about how you are feeling or visit post abortion centers that will help you recover emotionally. good luck!
I had an abortion on the 15-sept 2015 and in Oct I had a sharp pain in my tummy and did see my periods up to date Nov. What’s the problem was the abortion was successful?
Hello. 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. Don’t worry about your delayed period – in most instances, a menstrual cycle is expected within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion. Sometimes it may take a little longer to return.
Am I pregnant if I had my menses from November 10-14 and had unprotected sex on the 17th. I also had an emergency contraceptive taken that day.
Your chances of being pregnant depend on whether you were fertile on or around the date that you had sex. Since you took emergency contraceptive right after, you should be safe.
Hi, I had an abortion on 30 oct’15 by taking medicine and my periods was finished on 7 Nov, now again my periods get started from 15 nov. Is it normal or I have to worry about it.
Kindly suggest!
Thanks,
Priyanka
Hello,The first bleeding after an abortion is never usually a period,your period after an abortion usually starts 4 to 6 weeks. If you have any concerns check with your doctor.
I had an abortion on 30 october 2015 at 7 weeks pregnancy. Bleeding was for 7 days. Then again on 12th november I had my periods.. why did I get my periods so soon.
Hello. What’s happening to you is normal. While most women bleed for longer periods after an abortion or miscarriage, some like you will have little or no bleeding.
I had a medication abortion with the at home pills on September 12. I had my first period after that on October 19 which was a little abnormal for me. It started with three days of light bleeding on October 16-18 and then on the 19th was heavier for a few days, then light, then heavy again and then light for a total of 5 days. Since it wasn’t as heavy as I was expecting I took a lot of HPT all negative with the most recent being the morning of Nov 16 and even took a urine test at the clinic on Nov 4 that was negative. I was expecting my period sometime this week. While checking my CM on Nov 17 I noticed there was bright red blood on the qtip, but nothing when I would wipe, I thought that maybe I was back to spotting before my period but so far, not real period. There is still a lot of blood that has all been red throughout the day when I check but nothing on the panty liner, and only today did it start having bright red blood when I wipe. Is it normal to have blood in the cervix/vagina that doesnt actually show up on a panty liner before a period starts? Or could this just be a really light period due to the abortion pills back in september and my period not yet being regular?
It is normal to spot for days before a period and it will take some time for your period to return to normal. You seem to be progressing normally, try not to worry.