When Does Menstruation Resume After An Abortion?
Abortions considered low-risk medical procedures that end pregnancies, usually result in a person's first period of menstruation returning within 4-8 weeks.
In What Ways Does Abortion Impact The Menstrual Cycle?
After undergoing an abortion, individuals typically experience their next menstrual period within 4-8 weeks. The abortion, by emptying the uterus, initiates the restart of the menstrual cycle. The specific onset of the next period depends on the type of birth control used, if any. A woman should seek advice from her healthcare provider if her period has not started eight weeks after undergoing an abortion.
What Does Post-Abortion Bleeding Entail?
After undergoing an abortion, many individuals encounter post-abortion bleeding, a term used by doctors to describe this occurrence. Using pads to monitor blood loss is recommended. Abortion methods primarily fall into two categories: medical and surgical. In this discussion, we explore these abortion types and the associated post-procedure bleeding.
Bleeding After A Medical Abortion
In a medical abortion, abortion pills are provided by the doctor to terminate the pregnancy, a method applicable within the first 11 weeks of gestation. The procedure involves two prescribed pills: Mifepristone and Misoprostol, mifepristone, halts further pregnancy development, and misoprostol, induces the expulsion of pregnancy tissue from the uterus. Misoprostol prompts uterine contractions, leading to bleeding similar to a heavy period. Bleeding intensity varies among individuals, and some may pass large blood clots. Individuals may suffer spotting or mild bleeding for up to two weeks after the ejection of pregnancy tissue.
Bleeding After A Surgical Abortion
In the second stage of pregnancy, surgical abortions are frequently carried out after ten weeks of gestation. The first, vacuum aspiration, employs suction to remove the pregnancy, while the second, dilation and evacuation, involves dilating the cervix with forceps and using suction to extract the pregnancy.
Up to 14-16 weeks after the previous menstrual cycle, vacuum aspiration is widely used, with dilatation and evacuation advised for longer periods.
Post-surgical abortion, individuals may experience postabortion bleeding akin to a regular period. This bleeding typically persists for about 1–2 weeks, and some individuals may encounter spotting until their subsequent period.
Does it lead to irregular menstrual cycles?
Certain birth control methods might impact the consistency of menstrual cycles post-abortion. Individuals with a history of irregular periods may continue to experience irregularities after an abortion. An abortion-related emotional strain may also have an impact on the menstrual cycle, possibly changing its regularity. If someone encounters irregular periods post-abortion, especially if this wasn't the case before, it is advisable to consult with their doctor.
What can be anticipated during the initial menstrual cycle?
Following a surgical abortion, the initial menstrual cycle might be briefer than usual. Because there is less tissue to discharge, the surgery thoroughly empties the uterus, which results in a lighter period. Conversely, after a medical abortion, the first period may be prolonged, influenced by the hormones used in the treatment, potentially impacting cycle length. This period could also be heavier as additional tissue may need expulsion post-procedure. To monitor blood loss, using pads during the initial period after an abortion is recommended.
What should you expect during your second period?
The second menstrual cycle post-abortion is expected to revert to the individual's typical menstrual pattern. However, for some, it might take two or three cycles for periods to fully regulate. If this normalization doesn't occur, consulting with a doctor is advisable.
When is it permissible to begin using birth control?
You can begin using birth control right after an abortion. If you prefer an intrauterine device (IUD), your healthcare provider can insert it during the same appointment as the abortion. IUDs are effective birth control methods, with hormone-free copper IUDs and hormonal-plastic IUDs available. Copper IUDs don't impact mood but may lead to heavier periods. Hormonal IUDs can lighten periods but, like other hormonal contraceptives, may affect mood. Condoms are a reliable hormone-free option that doesn't require surgery. Selecting an approach to contraception is a personal choice, and each person's preferred technique may differ.
When Should You Go See A Doctor?
If someone has very heavy bleeding after an abortion or pain that can't be managed with over-the-counter medicine, it's essential to talk to a doctor. Seeing blood clots up to the size of a lemon is normal during post-abortion bleeding. But if someone notices blood clots larger than this, they should reach out to a doctor. Feeling dizzy, sweaty, or nauseous during or after an abortion is common. However, if someone feels extremely faint or has a high temperature, it's important to consult with a doctor. If there are any worrisome symptoms, talking to a doctor for advice and reassurance is the right thing to do.
Conclusion
Abortions initiate the restart of the menstrual cycle, with most individuals experiencing their period 4–8 weeks post-abortion. After a medical abortion, the initial periods may be lengthier and heavier, while after a surgical abortion, the first period tends to be shorter and lighter. Seeking medical advice is recommended if periods do not start eight weeks after the abortion or do not return to normal within three months. Bleeding after abortion is not uncommon. But it's important to see a doctor if it's really heavy, lasts more than two weeks, or has blood clots the size of lemons. To get rid of an unwanted pregnancy and face a few symptoms, one can opt for abortion pills online.
About the Creator
Irina Weindorf
Hello, I'm Irina Weindrof. Since I started working with AbortionPrivacy eight years ago, I've helped women on their path to living healthy lifestyles, addressed issues with reproductive health.
Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.
Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed. You could also pledge your support or give them a one-off tip, letting them know you appreciate their work.
Keep reading
More stories from Irina Weindorf and writers in Families and other communities.
How the internet is changing your brain
How the internet is changing your brain. Imagine life without the internet. Some of us remember a time before everything was connected, but now the idea of living without smartphones, maps, and search engines at our fingertips seems completely alien. Our increasing reliance on the online world is affecting us in many ways: it changes our relationships, alters our sources of information, and transforms how we interact with each other. These shifts are even having noticeable effects on our brains. As more devices depend on the internet, global access is continually increasing. In 2016, an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide accessed online services. The top three countries were China with 721 million users, followed by India, and then the US with 290 million users. The most common language used online is English, followed by Chinese and Spanish. Our dependence on the internet is significant and growing. The use of technology varies significantly across generations. Those who had to adapt to new technology and those who grew up with it readily accessible show distinct patterns. Generation X, born between the mid-1960s and early 1980s, logged an average of 110 minutes of mobile internet usage each day. In contrast, Millennials, born from the early 1980s onward and who grew up with the internet, averaged 185 minutes per day. Social media and messaging apps have become crucial for how we live and communicate, with over a billion people regularly using apps like WhatsApp, and even more using platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. As internet use increases, our behavior changes accordingly. Communication through these platforms has become more common, leading to a decline in phone calls and text messages. The rise of online shopping and services has also caused a sharp decline in the use of traditional high street stores, transforming the look of our towns and cities compared to a few decades ago. This shift can be attributed to the availability of online resources. With such a wealth of information at our fingertips, how is all this affecting our brains? The prevalence of the internet Is changing the way we work. Millennials, for example, have been found to be far more forgetful than previous generations. This is thought to be a direct result of the constant distractions that connectivity brings. The basic principle behind memory is that the more a piece of information is repeated and thought about in your short-term memory, the stronger it is stored within your long-term memory. However, constant new information prevents this process from taking place as effectively, resulting in less information being permanently stored. Additionally, knowing that information is readily available online makes you less likely to form a memory of it. For example, while previous generations would have memorized directions on a map, there is now a reliance on accessing GPS apps. We are also becoming more addicted to our smartphones, with constant glances to check for messages or updates. This habit of being distracted means our brains are less used to transitioning into deeper modes of thinking, making it more difficult to do so when needed. Research has shown that the constant flow of information has led to a loss of cognitive control. This means our ability to control our minds and decide what to think about is reducing. The more you rely on your phone and apps to provide information, the less able you are to determine what is important to focus on. We are increasingly concerned with new information rather than what is actually important. So, what can be done? Although technology is clearly affecting the way our brains work, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Throughout history, inventions have always enabled us to focus less on one thing so our time can be used elsewhere. For example, washing machines mean that people spend far less time cleaning clothes, allowing these extra hours to be taken up by work or other activities. Similarly, the ability to communicate and find information much faster on the internet means we have extra mental capacity for other processes. However, reducing screen time can help keep our brains more active and malleable. It’s a good idea to be aware of how much time you spend on distractions each day. My advice is to keep track of your screen time and unplug every once in a while.
By Valentine Mabout 19 hours ago in Families
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.