Medical termination of pregnancy when the cycle is restored. What not to do after an abortion. What is medical abortion: a brief description of the procedure

The recovery of the body after the abortion procedure directly depends on the method chosen by the doctors. In addition, the experience of the specialist who conducted the event is important. For example, after a medication interruption, the body quickly returns to its normal operating mode. But surgical intervention often requires more serious rehabilitation measures.

The procedure excludes sexual activity for 3 weeks. It is recommended to abstain from sex until the end of your first menstruation.

Sexual intimacy is especially dangerous after surgery, as it can cause complications, for example, bleeding, rejection of the uterine lining. In this case, sexual intercourse will contribute to the penetration of infection into the body.

The period of restoration of physical health after an abortion lasts at least 2 weeks. Sports activities are prohibited during this time. This measure is necessary to ensure that the muscles in the abdominal area are at rest. Accordingly, you should not lift heavy objects. Successful physical recovery after this procedure reduces the risk of complications.

You can postpone training for a longer period if you are not confident in your abilities. In addition, a specialist will give recommendations on this matter during a routine examination.

To prevent bacteria or infection from entering the body, for some time they refrain from taking baths, swimming in pools and open bodies of water.

Equally important during the rehabilitation period is proper nutrition. Such procedures are a great stress for the body, so you need to saturate it with vitamins and microelements, as well as proteins and fiber.

Body temperature, blood pressure, and pulse are also regularly checked. It is necessary to constantly monitor the general condition of the woman. Any deviation from the norm may be a harbinger of a developing complication. Therefore, if alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor.

Strict adherence to personal hygiene eliminates the development of bacteria in the microflora of the genital organs. It is recommended to wash yourself several times a day. You should always wipe your skin dry. You may also need panty liners, which should be changed every 3 hours. You should not resort to using tampons.

Recovery after an abortion is often accompanied by the use of antibiotics. During this time, refrain from drinking alcohol. You should not use it for another week after finishing the medication course.

Rehabilitation period

After the procedure, the woman must follow a number of mandatory instructions:

• Visit a gynecologist. 7-10 days after the procedure, undergo an ultrasound examination of the pelvis. This is done in order to identify the remains of fetal parts/exclude their presence. If complications occur, such as bleeding, ultrasound is performed earlier;
• Visit to a mammologist. A specialist in this profile should also refer the patient for an ultrasound scan. In this case, the breasts should be checked;
• Consultation with an endocrinologist. The doctor will help the woman restore normal hormonal levels, regulate the menstrual cycle, and give recommendations on physical rehabilitation;
• Visit to a psychologist. Often, a visit to this specialist is required for women who had to terminate their pregnancy due to forced measures. Often such patients do not cope well with what happened. Against this background, they experience depression, stress, and nervous breakdowns. A qualified psychologist will give advice and help the woman recover on an emotional level.

Complications

Most often after an abortion procedure, incomplete release of the amniotic egg occurs. This situation requires intervention in the form of “cleaning”, which, in turn, increases the risk of damage to the lining of the uterus and its cervix.

As a result, bleeding may begin. If such a complication occurs, you must immediately contact the nearest medical facility.

The process of termination of pregnancy, after which fetal parts remain in the uterine cavity, leads to the proliferation of pathogenic organisms. In such a situation, the most favorable environment for the development of infection is created. If there is an injury to the mucous membrane, then in the absence of the necessary measures, endometritis, salpingitis or purulent inflammation develops.

Such activities increase the risk of developing malignant tumors not only in the cervix and uterine cavity, but also in the ovaries and mammary glands.

Symptoms that require prompt medical attention and rehabilitation measures:

• Heavy bleeding with blood clots;
• High temperature that is not relieved by antibiotics;
• Discharge that has a strong and unpleasant odor;
• Severe pain in the abdominal area;
• Signs of pregnancy - nausea, fainting, dizziness.

Restoration of the uterus and the body as a whole after an abortion must be accompanied by adequate rehabilitation measures. A woman should devote more time to herself and her health. After two weeks, you can begin to regain strength through minor physical training.

Restoring regular periods after an abortion

This procedure can be performed using different methods. The choice of one of these is based on the presence of contraindications and the duration of pregnancy. For example, the so-called mini-abortion (vacuum) is performed in the early stages.

Full surgical intervention is carried out at later stages. It is also possible to terminate a pregnancy with the help of special medications. Each of these interventions assumes its own period of restoration of menstruation and the body as a whole.

Normally, the cycle lasts 21-35 days. It is regulated by hormones produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands and pituitary gland. Returning to normal life directly depends on the onset of menstruation. The type of abortion intervention affects the restoration of the cycle. Surgical and medical interventions differ significantly in recovery time.

Types of medical abortions

The drug method is used when the period is no more than 7 weeks. Surgery is performed between 7 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. The latter is divided into two types: vacuum and curettage. The vacuum method is safer. It is worth noting that medication is also gentle.

But it should immediately be noted that self-administration of such drugs is fraught with complications, after which it is necessary to use vacuum aspiration. Curettage is used up to 5 months. The latter method of abortion is distinguished not only by the complexity of its implementation, but also by the number of possible complications.

When does the menstrual cycle resume after an abortion?

Mostly menstruation starts no later than 5 weeks later. Abortion is usually considered the first day of the cycle. If there is no menstruation, there is an infection or pregnancy. The gynecologist finds out the reason for the delay using an ultrasound.

The cycle after surgery may become shorter or longer, or shift. Recovery after a medical abortion also takes about a month. Usually, after two to three months, the cycle is completely restored, since pharmacological intervention is a gentle method and is carried out at an early stage.

After a mini-abortion, menstruation begins a month later, but may be painful and more abundant than usual. An infection is indicated by discharge with an unpleasant odor or an unusual color.

You will need

• - doxycycline;
• - metronidazole or trichopolum;
• - fluconazole or flucostat;
• - tsiprolet or digital;
• - bifi-forms;
• - vitamins;
• - oral contraceptives.

Instructions

Termination of pregnancy at any stage is always stressful for the female body. After all, abortion is a complex and very painful process that a woman has to go through during the intervention. After the operation, the doctor must, in order to avoid complications after an abortion, prescribe medications, the use of which should help the body recover and prevent the development of possible inflammation.

Among the mandatory medications that help protect a woman’s body from infections that cause inflammation are powerful antibiotics and antimicrobials, such as doxycycline, metronidazole, and fluconazole. They are affordable, however, it should be remembered that the drugs often seriously damage the liver and other vital organs. But at the same time, they are very effective, which is why they are prescribed in most cases of termination of pregnancy. However, if you strictly follow all the doctor’s recommendations, the negative consequences of taking the drugs can be avoided.

Doxycycline is very powerful and should be started immediately after an abortion. Take the drug twice a day, 100 mg or 0.1 g (1 capsule) after meals. But you can drink it for no more than 7 days. Usually 5 days is enough.

In combination with you should also take the antimicrobial metronidazole or, which are prescribed as a preventive measure for the development of various infections after surgery. The dosage is usually two tablets (250 mg each) per day three times a day. It is best to drink them with water or milk.

On the fifth day of taking the medications, a single use of fluconazole or is necessary, which will help preserve the vaginal microflora and prevent the development of thrush and a number of other infections.

The doctor may also prescribe other antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs, including analgin-quinine. Of the modern generation drugs, or are recommended. They should be taken two tablets a day for 5 days. On the fifth day after the abortion, take a flucostat tablet. Then you should take care of the intestinal microflora. To do this, use bifi-form capsules - 2 pieces per day. To restore hormonal levels, you can immediately start taking oral microdose contraceptives on the first day after an abortion, for example. You should drink them OK according to the plan.

To maintain the body as a whole, start taking vitamin supplements, include fresh vegetables and fruits, and natural juices in your diet.

Tip 2: What are the health consequences after an abortion?

Abortion has long been legal and is not considered a crime either for doctors or for the women who turn to them. Moral and ethical condemnation of abortion is gradually fading away. On the contrary, public opinion often condemns those women who refuse abortions: “They breed poverty, they breed freaks, they sit on the state’s neck.” All this creates a situation where in some cases it is easier for a woman to decide to have an abortion than to have a child.

Clinics offering such services to women are interested in increasing the number of clients. It is beneficial for them to convince them of the safety of abortions performed using modern technologies, and even that childbirth is much more harmful and dangerous than abortion.
In fact, childbirth is a natural biological process, and if it occurs without complications, then it cannot cause any harm to the female body. Abortion is a violation of the natural course of events, so there are no safe and harmless abortions.

Penetration of infection into the uterus

One of the inevitable companions of abortion is infection. Of course, medical instruments are sterilized before an abortion, but bacteria are in the vagina and can be carried from there into the uterus. The infection may not be the most dangerous, there will be no immediate painful manifestations, but the bacteria will penetrate the fallopian tubes, and over time their activity will lead to the formation of adhesions. They will not stop sperm from moving down the fallopian tube or prevent fertilization, but they will prevent the embryo from reaching the uterus. The result will be an ectopic pregnancy - a serious complication that threatens rupture of the fallopian tube and peritonitis, which requires surgical intervention.

In some cases, they lead to complete overgrowth of the lumen of the fallopian tube, which makes the woman infertile. The infection can also affect the vessels in the area of ​​the uterosacral ligaments. Inflammation of these ligaments leads to a decrease in sexual sensitivity and sexual coldness. In more severe cases, women complain of constant pain in the lower back and pain during sexual intercourse. All this may appear in a few years. It is not easy to cure the disease.

Mechanical damage

When performing uterine curettage, the doctor is forced to act blindly, so mechanical damage is inevitable. In their place, scars, folds and even polyps remain, as a result of which in subsequent pregnancies the implantation of the embryo occurs in a different place. This leads to incorrect localization of the placenta. In some cases, it closes the cervix, and then you have to resort to cesarean, natural childbirth becomes impossible.

In some cases, the resulting scars change the internal structure, which prevents the outflow of menstrual blood. In such cases, surgical treatment is required.

The cervix, injured as a result of an abortion, cannot withstand prolonged strong pressure, so the likelihood of miscarriages and premature births in subsequent pregnancies after an abortion increases sharply.

Hormonal disorders

During pregnancy, a radical hormonal change occurs in the female body. When pregnancy occurs naturally and is interrupted suddenly, it becomes a colossal stress for the body. It takes 3-4 months for women who have given birth to restore hormonal levels, and more than a year for nulliparous women.

It is difficult to name an endocrine gland that would not be affected by such a hormonal “blow”. Both the thyroid gland and the pituitary gland suffer. The level of male hormones increases, which can affect appearance and reduce resistance to stress.

Particularly affected by hormonal imbalance are the mammary glands, whose cells undergo a number of changes during pregnancy in preparation for producing milk. Changes in hormonal levels sharply return them to their previous state, and nodules and tumors may appear. The risk of developing breast cancer in the future increases by 50%. The likelihood of cancer in other organs also increases: the cervix, thyroid gland.

"Safe" abortions

All of the above applies to instrumental. Currently, there are other types of abortion - vacuum and medication, which seem less dangerous. But they also have negative consequences.

Hormonal disruption occurs with such abortions, as with instrumental ones, and with medication ones - it is even specially provoked for the purpose of terminating the pregnancy. In some cases, part of the fertilized egg remains in the uterus, and it is necessary to resort to the same curettage as with instrumental abortion. Inflammatory processes during a vacuum abortion are also not excluded.

Related article

At all times, women have and will continue to have abortions. Each of them has and will have their own reasons for this, and therefore there is no point in lecturing that this is bad, dangerous, shameful or immoral. However, an abortion can cause a number of diseases, including female infertility. But today we will not talk about this at all.

How should a woman behave after a medical abortion? Can she drink alcohol? And will this entail any consequences? Or is it really possible to drink without fear? What is the opinion of doctors on this matter? Every woman who has recently resorted or is planning to resort to this type of abortion, such as medical termination of pregnancy, should know about this issue.

What is medical abortion?

This type of abortion is the newest method of terminating a pregnancy, in which there is no need for surgical intervention or medical anesthesia.

The procedure is performed in the early stages of pregnancy. Recently, medical abortion has become the most popular among women and recommended by qualified specialists.

With this type of abortion, the patient is offered a special substance that has the property of stopping the action of the hormone progesterone. It is this hormone in a woman’s body that determines the appearance and course of pregnancy. Without him, this simply cannot exist. It begins to be produced in the body immediately after pregnancy. Therefore, the effect of medication abortion pills is aimed at neutralizing progesterone, preventing it from being produced anymore.

What happens is this: The embryonic membranes peel off from the walls of the uterus. It is also necessary to induce increased uterine contractions so that the embryo can leave its location. These are the so-called prostaglandins. Thus, a woman is provoked to have a miscarriage; the fertilized egg comes out after a while.

The effectiveness of medical abortion is approximately 92-98%. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body, as well as on the specific case with all the features of the formation and course of pregnancy.

The procedure is carried out from the first day of missed menstruation until reaching 6 weeks of pregnancy. After this period, the effectiveness of medical abortion sharply decreases, and therefore it is not recommended to do it after 6 weeks. In addition, it can cause a number of serious complications.

As already mentioned, this type of abortion is performed without surgical intervention. The patient just needs to take a special medicine. Everything happens under the control and supervision of a doctor.

The main advantage of a medical abortion is that during its implementation, the woman’s uterus is not subjected to any mechanical damage, which happens during a surgical termination of pregnancy. Consequently, this reduces the risk of complications and various consequences. But in fairness, it is worth noting that these can also occur with medical termination of pregnancy.

The procedure has a number of contraindications, which include renal or liver failure, ectopic pregnancy, uterine fibroids, severe anemia, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammation of the reproductive system, impaired hemostasis, arterial hypertension (with great caution and under medical supervision) and some other diseases.

Now the picture regarding this type of abortion has become clearer and understandable, and therefore we can begin to talk about whether it is allowed to drink alcohol after a medical abortion.

Is it possible to drink alcohol after an abortion: the physical aspect

Still, abortion, no matter how gentle it may be, is an unnatural intervention in a woman’s body. Moreover, this is a serious stress for him, which can sometimes be very difficult to bear. A long recovery period is required, the body needs to get stronger and return to its former shape. And therefore, we can absolutely safely say that a woman should not drink alcoholic beverages after a medical abortion. Even drinking beer is prohibited. And there are a number of reasons for this.

As already mentioned, in this case the procedure is carried out with the help of medications, that is, these are chemicals. They cause a certain reaction in the body. And alcohol will certainly interfere with their progress. It can either weaken these processes or change them somehow. Even the most experienced doctor cannot predict how the relationship between alcohol (ethyl alcohol) and medications taken will develop. But we can definitely say that nothing positive should be expected from this. Unauthorized experiments and non-compliance with the rules - all this will certainly affect your health. Any complications may arise, or the recovery process itself will take a longer time and will not be as fast and effective.

Another risk is associated with bleeding from the female reproductive system. What is it about? The thing is that after a medical abortion and the release of the fertilized egg, the woman begins to bleed continuously. It can last for several weeks, during which it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol. This is justified by the fact that alcoholic drinks dilate blood vessels, and this leads to more intense bleeding. A woman can lose a lot of blood just because she violated the regime.

In general, after an abortion, the body is greatly weakened. And this is not surprising, because he was stressed. Against this background, the immune system is extremely weakened, and health is not in the best condition. And alcohol can only make it all worse. Ethyl alcohol is clearly not what a person with a weakened immune system needs.

Another danger of alcohol after an abortion: psychological

But few people think about this pitfall. Abortion is stress not only physical, but also psychological. Of course, every woman experiences this differently, but for most, termination of pregnancy is a negative and mentally depressing event. Because of this, a woman becomes apathetic and develops blues.

And sometimes it even comes to deep depression, from which it is not so easy to get out. For reasons of psychological discomfort and against the background of personal experiences, a woman may start drinking. This way it will seem to her that she is eliminating her sadness, forgetting herself, and solving problems. But, as we know, this is not so. Problems are not solved, but grow even bigger and bigger. So it’s not far from alcohol addiction, to which women are exposed much more strongly and faster than males. This leads to the conclusion that alcohol after an abortion poses a threat not only to physical health, but also to psychological health.

It is recommended to do the following. First, you need to accept the very fact that an abortion was performed. You can try to cope with a negative event on your own. By the way, many people actually succeed in this. For example, thanks to distraction, increased intellectual work, communication with loved ones, helping the infirm, animals, etc.

You can calm yourself using natural sedatives that will not cause any harm. When choosing a specific drug, you should additionally consult with your doctor.

If you can’t cope with post-abortion depression on your own, then there’s nothing to worry about! There is no need to consider this something shameful or a failure. On the contrary, as soon as possible you need to contact a psychologist who will help you find a way out of the situation, explain and prove with the help of arguments that life does not end there. It continues. And it should continue in joyful colors.

What else should you not do after a medical abortion?

Since we are talking about prohibitions after medical abortion, we need to talk about all of them so that it is easier for women to navigate this difficult period.

It is not difficult to guess that at this time any sexual contact is prohibited. And although no mechanical damage occurred, not everything is in order in the woman’s vagina after an abortion. It should take approximately 3-4 weeks (everything is different in each individual case) for the vaginal mucosa to recover, return to normal and regain its former characteristics. In addition, during sexual intercourse there is a risk of infection, including in the uterine cavity. That’s why it’s worth holding off on sex. At least with vaginal.

Also prohibited are any physical exercises, heavy lifting, physical work and any activity requiring even the slightest effort. During this time, you need to limit yourself to mental work only, and definitely cancel the gym.

You can't take a bath. After a medical abortion, women should only wash in the shower. The water should be warm, but not hot, so as not to provoke increased bleeding. You can’t wash with cool water either. It is strictly forbidden to go to the pool! This can lead to infection. But you need to wash more often. Maintaining personal hygiene will reduce the risk of germs entering.

Doctors advise to refrain from smoking tobacco. Or at least reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke daily. There is no need to weaken an already weakened body. He needs to recover.

Some medications are also prohibited: Ketanov, Ketarol, Aspirin, Nurofen, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac and others. You should consult your doctor for a complete list of prohibited medications.

You can't use tampons. There will be bleeding, but for personal hygiene you can only use pads. And they need to be changed every 3 hours even with minimal external contamination. This is necessary to minimize the risk of bacteria entering the vagina.

Instead of an afterword

Summarizing all that has been said, we can say that the answer to the question of whether you can drink after an abortion will be negative. No woman has ever found health by drinking. And there are no indulgences even in the form of alcohol! You can’t drink beer, not to mention stronger drinks with a much higher content of ethyl alcohol.

You need to understand that the initial and most “acute” period of gaining strength after medical termination of pregnancy lasts about a month. And all prohibitions apply precisely at this time. But full recovery occurs no earlier than six months later, or even more. And it would be good if a woman took responsibility for her health all this time, monitored its condition, and protected it from unnecessary threats and risks. Only through such behavior can one fully restore the strength so necessary to lead a full life. And for those who still want to get pregnant and carry a child in the future, this will be a good basis and prognosis for a favorable resolution of the situation.

Thank you for your feedback

Comments

Megan92 () 2 weeks ago

Has anyone succeeded in ridding their husband of alcoholism? My drink never stops, I don’t know what to do anymore ((I was thinking about getting a divorce, but I don’t want to leave the child without a father, and I feel sorry for my husband, he’s a great person when he doesn’t drink

Daria () 2 weeks ago

I have already tried so many things, and only after reading this article, I was able to wean my husband off alcohol; now he doesn’t drink at all, even on holidays.

Megan92 () 13 days ago

Daria () 12 days ago

Megan92, that’s what I wrote in my first comment) I’ll duplicate it just in case - link to article.

Sonya 10 days ago

Isn't this a scam? Why do they sell on the Internet?

Yulek26 (Tver) 10 days ago

Sonya, what country do you live in? They sell it on the Internet because stores and pharmacies charge outrageous markups. In addition, payment is only after receipt, that is, they first looked, checked and only then paid. And now they sell everything on the Internet - from clothes to TVs and furniture.

Editor's response 10 days ago

Sonya, hello. This drug for the treatment of alcohol dependence is indeed not sold through pharmacy chains and retail stores in order to avoid inflated prices. Currently you can only order from official website. Be healthy!

Sonya 10 days ago

I apologize, I didn’t notice the information about cash on delivery at first. Then everything is fine if payment is made upon receipt.

Margo (Ulyanovsk) 8 days ago

Has anyone tried traditional methods to get rid of alcoholism? My father drinks, I can’t influence him in any way ((

Update: October 2018

Many women have undergone or are about to undergo an abortion; they are partially familiar with the potential complications and consequences, but do not fully understand the entire rehabilitation process and its necessity and duration.

Why is it necessary to exclude certain aspects from your usual lifestyle after an abortion? Certain prohibitions are included in the rehabilitation complex and help restore not only physical health, but also prevent possible ones (see).

Restoration of the menstrual cycle

Termination of pregnancy is a severe stress for the body, therefore, after an abortion, the regulation of the functions of the ovarian-menstrual cycle is disrupted. Due to the significantly increased load on all organs during gestation, the hypothalamus is in a state of excitement, which affects the work of the pituitary gland, which ceases to synthesize gonadotropins (FSH and LH) in the required proportions.

And instead of the periodic release of luteinizing hormone, characteristic of the normal menstrual cycle, its monotonous increased secretion is noted, as a result of which the ovaries enlarge and begin to synthesize. But with the physiological completion of pregnancy, all changes that occur disappear without consequences for health. With forced termination of pregnancy, the anatomical stage of menstrual dysfunction develops, which leads to the development of the following pathological conditions:

• insufficiency of the luteal (phase 2) cycle;
• secondary polycystic ovary syndrome;
• hyperplastic processes of the endometrium;
• uterine fibroids;
• syndrome or Itsenko-Cushing's disease.

The listed pathology is caused by excess production of LH after its previous monotonous secretion, so the restoration of ovarian-menstrual function sometimes takes more than one month, in some cases several years.

How many days after an abortion will menstruation begin is difficult to answer, it depends on a number of factors:

• woman's age;
• existing chronic diseases;
• method of abortion;
• gestational age when the abortion was performed;
• during the postoperative period.

Normally, a healthy and young woman should begin her period after an abortion in about a month, or rather, after the period of time that lasted from the previous menstruation to the current one. To calculate the approximate date of the first menstruation after the procedure, the starting point (the first day of the cycle) should be the day of the abortion.

However, artificial termination of pregnancy can not only lengthen or shorten the duration of the menstrual cycle, but also change the nature of the discharge. It is possible that scanty, spotting discharge may appear after an abortion, which continues for one to two menstrual cycles and is associated with incomplete restoration of the endometrium after the procedure.

If scanty menstruation persists for a longer time, this is a reason to consult a doctor, as well as for an extensive examination. A decrease in menstrual blood loss may be due to two reasons.

• The first is a functional failure in the production of hormones by the ovaries, pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Often, a similar condition is observed after a medical abortion, which is associated with taking very large doses of antiprogestins and requires the appointment of appropriate hormonal therapy.
• The second reason is mechanical damage to the endometrium (overly “thorough” scraping of the mucosa and traumatization of its deep layers) and/or the cervix (cervical canal atresia). When the endometrium is injured, synechiae () are formed in the uterine cavity, which reduce not only its volume, but also the area of ​​the endometrium, which is rejected during menstruation.

In addition to opsomenorrhea (scanty menstruation), amenorrhea and infertility may occur. Intrauterine synechiae requires.

If your periods after termination of pregnancy become heavier and repeat for several cycles, you also need to be wary. Heavy and prolonged menstruation may indicate:

• or about the development of endometrial hyperplasia
• or about adenomyosis (endometriosis of the uterus).

And although menstrual flow after an abortion can be restored immediately, that is, it begins after 21–35 days, ovulation may be absent for two to three menstrual cycles, which is considered normal. If anovulation lasts longer, but there are no visible cycle disorders, you need to start looking for the cause of this pathology.

Discharge after the procedure

Immediately after an uneventful abortion, the discharge should normally be moderate, with a small number of clots. However, both the volume and duration of bleeding depend both on the duration of the terminated pregnancy and on the method of termination.

• Small and even scanty discharge is observed after a vacuum abortion. This is explained by the short duration of pregnancy, and, accordingly, minor trauma to the uterine mucosa.
• After a surgical abortion, especially at 10–12 weeks, the discharge will be more intense and prolonged.

How many days after an abortion does bleeding continue? The duration of bleeding after a well-performed procedure is normally 7, maximum 10 days. If the discharge continues for more than 10 days, the first thing to exclude is the placental polyp, which is removed by repeated curettage of the uterine cavity. That’s why it’s so important to see a gynecologist after 10–14 days, who will not only palpate the uterus and suspect subinvolution or placental polyp, but also prescribe a pelvic ultrasound.

If clots and heavy bleeding occur after an abortion, regardless of when it was performed, a day or 2 weeks ago, you should immediately seek qualified medical help, since the presence of remnants of the fertilized egg or hematometer in the uterine cavity cannot be ruled out.

Abdominal pain in the post-abortion period

After an uncomplicated termination of pregnancy, moderate pain in the lower abdomen or slight discomfort is normally possible. Such sensations can last up to 7 days and do not particularly bother the patient. If your stomach hurts so badly that it is impossible to lead your usual lifestyle and leads to loss of ability to work, this is a reason to immediately contact a specialist.

• Cramping and sharp pain indicate the remains of placental tissue and embryo in the uterine cavity and the development of hematometra
• Aching, constant pain combined with an elevated temperature after an abortion are a sign of the onset of inflammation, which can be triggered by sexually transmitted infections that remain asymptomatic for some time.
• In general, in the first 2 days after the procedure, a slight increase in temperature (37.2 - 37.3) is not a pathology, but only reflects the body’s reaction to surgery. Low-grade fever is also possible on the day of a medical abortion as a reaction of the thermoregulation center located in the brain to taking high doses of hormones.
• But if a high temperature (more than 37.5) persists for more than 2 days, this is a sign of trouble and a reason to seek medical attention. help.

To prevent the development of inflammatory diseases after medical termination of pregnancy, patients, especially those with unsatisfactory results of smears and blood/urine tests, are prescribed a prophylactic course of broad-spectrum antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs for 3 to 5 days (maximum 7 days). In the case of a confirmed inflammatory process, the dose of antibiotics is increased and the course lengthened.

Also, to prevent septic post-abortion complications, the doctor will definitely recommend staying away from drafts and colds, dressing warmly in damp and cold weather, and taking a shower daily. Equally important is following the rules of personal hygiene:

• treating the external genitalia with water at least 2 times a day;
• timely change of pads and underwear, since the blood spilled from the uterine cavity and retained on intimate hygiene products is a good breeding ground for microorganisms, which contributes to their active reproduction and penetration into the uterus, where they cause inflammation.

Every woman who has artificially terminated a pregnancy should know that drinking alcohol in the post-abortion period is strictly prohibited, especially if she is taking antibacterial drugs.

• Firstly, under the influence of alcohol, antibiotics are destroyed, which means that taking them will be absolutely useless and will not reduce the risk of developing post-abortion septic complications.
• Secondly, alcohol reduces the tone of smooth muscles (the myometrium consists of smooth muscles), which prevents its contraction and involution (return to its previous size) after removal of pregnancy and can cause bleeding.

Uterus after abortion

The most damaged organ after an abortion is the uterus. The longer the abortion was performed, the more significant its damage. This is especially true for instrumental curettage of the embryo.

The uterus after an abortion begins to contract immediately after the embryo is removed and returns to its normal or almost normal size by the end of the procedure. However, a wound surface is formed on the uterine wall (in the place where the fertilized egg was attached), which requires a certain time period for its healing and restoration of the endometrium, ready for transformation and rejection during menstruation.

• Normally, this takes 3–4 weeks, and by the beginning of a new menstruation (after a previous abortion), the uterus has its normal size and transformed epithelium.
• But if, upon examination 10 to 12 days later, which is mandatory after the procedure, an enlarged, softened and painful uterus is palpated, and the discharge is dark red or the color of “meat slop”, with an unpleasant odor, scanty or moderate, then we are talking about inflammation of the organ.

The causes of endometritis can be a poorly performed abortion (remnants of the fertilized egg), activation of a latent infection or infection during the abortion (violation of aseptic standards) or after (non-compliance with recommendations), or the formation of hematometra. Therefore, all women after an abortion are prescribed not only a follow-up visit to the gynecologist, but also a mandatory ultrasound, during which it is confirmed that the uterus is “clean”.

Sex life after abortion

Based on the above, it becomes clear that sex after an abortion must be excluded. The gynecologist will definitely warn a woman who has undergone an abortion procedure that she should observe sexual rest for at least 3 weeks (after a pharmacological abortion).

Over the specified period of time, the uterus should return to normal. But in the case of instrumental or classical abortion, especially in long periods, the prohibition of sexual activity is extended to 4 weeks, optimally until the end of menstruation.

• Firstly, this is due to the high risk of infection of the uterus and the development of inflammation
• Secondly, sexual intercourse can disrupt the contractile activity of the uterus, which will provoke its subinvolution or hematometra, and again lead to inflammation.
• In addition, having sex can cause pain after an abortion.

Probability of pregnancy after abortion

Not many former clients of the abortion clinic know that after an abortion you can get pregnant, and very quickly, even before the onset of your first menstruation. In this case, a parallel can be drawn with pregnancy, which occurs immediately after the birth of a child if a woman refuses lactation.

After the sudden termination of pregnancy, the body begins to actively rebuild and returns to its usual rhythm. That is, the ovaries are preparing for a new menstruation; under the influence of pituitary gonadotropins (FSH and LH), they produce estrogens in stages, first, and then, which stimulates the maturation of follicles and ovulation.

Therefore, in more than half of the cases, a woman’s first ovulation occurs within 14–21 days. And if we take into account the lifespan of sperm (up to 7 days), then pregnancy after an abortion is very likely.

On the other hand, if a woman, after a recent termination of pregnancy due to circumstances, wants to give birth to a child, then it is necessary to abstain from pregnancy for a certain time.

It is believed that the minimum period of birth control after a previous abortion is 6 months. It is optimal if the desired pregnancy occurs within a year, and after a thorough examination and treatment of identified diseases.

It is during this period of time that the body will fully recover, and the risk of pregnancy complications associated with its previous violent termination will noticeably decrease (isthmic-cervical insufficiency, hormonal imbalance, improper attachment of the fertilized egg, intrauterine growth retardation).

Also, speaking about pregnancy that occurred immediately after an abortion, we should also talk about tests to determine it. After an abortion, the test will be positive, and this result will remain for another 4 to 6 weeks (if the termination of the pregnancy was long, the positive result will remain longer).

HCG is not immediately destroyed and excreted from the woman’s body, this process is quite slow, therefore a positive result cannot be considered a sign of pregnancy (the case of either the ovum not being removed during an abortion, or the onset of a new one). The only thing that can cast doubt on the “positivity” of the test is that the second strip in each new test will be lighter (see).

To accurately establish the fact of pregnancy, an ultrasound is performed, and in some situations, a blood test for hCG several times in a row; in the case of a progressive decrease in the level of hCG in the tests, a false positive test result is indicated.

Contraception issues

Immediately after an abortion, or better yet before the procedure, it is necessary to select a method of contraception. The optimal solution in this case is to take hormonal contraceptive pills, as they mitigate the effects of hormonal stress, prevent neuroendocrine disorders, and, in addition, significantly reduce the risk of developing septic complications after abortion, which is explained by the following mechanisms:

• reducing the amount of blood lost during menstruation (blood acts as a breeding ground for microbes);
• thickening of the cervical mucus, which not only prevents the penetration of “live creatures” into the uterine cavity, but also pathogens;
• the cervical canal does not expand so significantly during menstruation (protection against infection);
• the intensity of uterine contractions is reduced, thereby reducing the risk of the spread of pathogens of infectious diseases from the uterus to the tubes.

It is recommended to take a dose of ethinyl estradiol in which does not exceed 35 mcg, since estrogens increase blood clotting, and hypercoagulation is noted during the first 20 to 30 days after termination of pregnancy. Such drugs include Regulon, Rigevidon, Mercilon.

Taking the pills should start on the day of the abortion and continue according to the schedule. The day of termination of pregnancy will be counted as the first day of a new cycle.

Question answer

Is it possible to take a bath after an abortion?

During the post-abortion period (about a month), taking a bath is not recommended, as this may cause bleeding or the development of endometritis.

Is it permissible to use sanitary tampons after an abortion?

For intimate hygiene products after an abortion, preference should be given to pads, and the use of tampons is strictly prohibited, since bloody discharge absorbed by the tampon remains in the vagina with it and is an excellent environment for the proliferation of microorganisms, which increases the risk of developing post-abortion inflammation.

How long after an abortion can I go to the swimming pool?

Visiting the pool, as well as bathhouses and saunas (air temperature is too high), swimming in open water should be postponed for at least a month, until the end of the first menstruation. Otherwise, you can “catch” an infection or increase bleeding, even bleeding.

Can I exercise after an abortion?

If the termination procedure “passed” without complications and the woman’s condition is satisfactory, then you can return to sports within a couple of weeks after the termination of pregnancy. But the load should not be so intense during the month after the abortion.

Why does the breast hurt and bother you after an abortion (the abortion was performed 3 days ago)?

Perhaps the term of the terminated pregnancy was long enough, and the mammary glands began to actively prepare for the upcoming lactation. But a suddenly terminated pregnancy led to a hormonal imbalance; the body and mammary glands, among other things, did not have time to rebuild, which led to chest pain.

Are there any restrictions on food after an abortion?

No, you do not need to follow a special diet during the post-abortion period. But if the abortion took place under general anesthesia and the anesthesiologist diagnosed an allergic reaction to the anesthetic, he may advise further adherence to a hypoallergenic diet (limiting chocolate, citrus fruits, coffee, seafood and other allergenic foods).

A week passed after the abortion, I wanted to go to the sea, is it not dangerous?

The trip to the sea will have to be postponed. Firstly, a sharp change in climatic conditions is unfavorable for the restoration of the body, and, secondly, swimming in the post-abortion period is prohibited.

If a woman has had an abortion, her body can recover in different ways after this, and this depends on the chosen method of terminating the pregnancy. The experience of the doctor performing this procedure is also important. After a medical interruption, the body returns to its normal state much faster, but surgical intervention usually requires quite serious rehabilitation measures. Since how long does it take for recovery to take place? Let's try to answer this question.

In order for recovery after an abortion to be successful and without complications, it is necessary to abstain from sexual activity for 3 weeks. Sexual incontinence after surgery is very dangerous, as there is a high probability of various complications, such as rejection of the uterine lining or bleeding. This is caused by an infection that enters the body during sexual intercourse.

Physical health usually takes 2 weeks to recover after an abortion, and during this period exercise is contraindicated. This is necessary to ensure that the abdominal muscles are at rest. Lifting heavy objects is also prohibited. Successful physical recovery reduces the risk of complications.

In order to protect against infection or bacteria entering the body, it is necessary to refrain from swimming in a bathtub, pool or open water for a while.

An important factor after the procedure is proper nutrition. Abortion is a great stress for the body, so you should saturate it with microelements and vitamins, as well as fiber and proteins. It is also necessary to periodically measure body temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. Any deviation of the body from the normal state indicates the beginning of complications, so you should visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Quite often, recovery of the body after an abortion requires taking antibiotics. In this case, you should not drink alcohol.

Restoration of the menstrual cycle

Abortion is a serious stress for the body, so after it it is almost always disrupted. Normally, in a young and healthy woman, the restoration of menstruation after an abortion occurs in about a month. But it often happens that the duration of the cycle lengthens or shortens, and the nature of the discharge also changes. A scant smudge may appear, and this is explained by incomplete restoration of the endometrium after surgery.

If the restoration of the menstrual cycle after an abortion is accompanied by scanty discharge for quite a long time, it is necessary to be examined. This pathological condition can be caused by the following factors:

• Functional failure in the production of hormones by the pituitary gland, ovaries and hypothalamus. This usually occurs after a medical abortion and is associated with taking a large amount of antiprogestin, and therefore hormonal therapy is necessary.
• Mechanical damage to the endometrium or cervix. Trauma to the endometrium in the uterine cavity leads to the formation of adhesions in the pelvis, which are rejected during menstruation.

You should also be wary if the restoration of the cycle after an abortion is accompanied by heavy discharge. They may indicate that endometrial hyperplasia or adenomyosis is developing.

Restoration of the uterus

After an abortion, the uterus suffers the most, and it receives quite serious damage when a pregnancy is terminated at a long term. Particularly severe injuries are caused by scraping with instruments.

After termination of pregnancy, the uterus begins to contract and returns to its normal size. But in the place where the fertilized egg was attached, a large wound appears, which takes time to heal.

If everything proceeds without complications, then restoration of the uterus after an abortion lasts about a month and by the beginning of menstruation it usually has its previous size. But if after 2 weeks, during a mandatory examination, the doctor sees that the uterus has enlarged, softened or become painful and all this is accompanied by a very unpleasant odor, then it can be assumed that it is inflamed.

This condition occurs for the following reasons:

• a poorly performed abortion, resulting in part of the fertilized egg remaining in the uterus;
• introduction of infection;
• activation of latent infection;
• hematometra formation.

Recovery after medical abortion

In another way, such termination of pregnancy is called hormonal and is carried out in the early stages (up to 6 weeks) using medications that cause spontaneous miscarriage. Such drugs belong to different pharmacological groups and affect the contractile activity of the uterus and the production of hormones that support the course of pregnancy. Under the influence of these medications, the uterus begins to contract intensively, the production of hormones decreases, as a result of which the fertilized egg dies and a miscarriage occurs.

To ensure that recovery after a hormonal abortion goes without complications, there are certain rules:

• you need to try to avoid stress, eat right and rest well;
• to reduce pain after an abortion, women take medications, but only after agreeing with their doctor, as they can weaken the immune system;
• a special diet will help saturate the body with vitamins and microelements;
• it is necessary to abstain from sexual activity for a certain time in order to avoid infection and re-pregnancy;
• it is necessary to observe the peculiarities of the menstrual cycle and the nature of the discharge, and if after 2 months it does not recover, correction will be required

What complications may arise?

After an abortion, negative consequences can be expected. For example, part of the fertilized egg remains in the uterus, so the doctor cleanses it, which leads to additional damage to the lining of the uterus and its cervix. This provokes bleeding, which requires urgent hospitalization. In addition, the presence of remnants of fetal parts in the uterine cavity creates a favorable environment for the development of infection. When injuries to the mucosa without treatment, salpingitis, endometritis or purulent inflammation occurs.

What symptoms require you to see a doctor?

If the following signs appear, do not hesitate, but consult a doctor:

• severe bleeding with clots;
• discharge with a strong odor;
• high temperature that does not go down even with medications;
• severe abdominal pain;
• nausea, fainting, dizziness.

Recovery after an abortion proceeds in different ways, but the main thing is that the woman devotes as much time as possible to her health. Two weeks after the procedure, minor physical activity is recommended.

Further pregnancy

Many women are concerned about whether they will be able to have children after an abortion. This is quite likely even before the menstrual cycle returns. After this procedure, the body is able to quickly readjust itself, returning to its normal rhythm. In preparation for a new menstruation, the ovaries begin to produce, promoting ovulation.

You should plan a further pregnancy no earlier than after 6 months, or even after a year. This time will be sufficient for the body to recover, and the likelihood of complications will be significantly reduced.

Use of contraception

To avoid unwanted pregnancy after an abortion, it is necessary to choose the right means of contraception. The best option is the use of tablets, which, among other things, eliminate the consequences of hormonal imbalance and protect against endocrine disorders. Thanks to birth control pills, the risk of inflammatory processes is sharply reduced. In addition, these contraceptives help:

• reducing the amount of blood released, which can become a source of development of pathogenic microflora;
• reducing the activity of uterine contractions, so that pathogens cannot penetrate from the uterine cavity into the tubes;
• thickening of cervical mucus, which serves as an obstacle to infection.

The most effective are considered to be tablets containing a small amount of hormones, since the estrogens included in the drug help increase blood clotting.

Conclusion

Thus, if a woman was forced, she should remember that recovery after an abortion can last quite a long time and be accompanied by various complications. Therefore, to avoid unwanted pregnancy, you should use contraception.