Once the dust settles after an abortion, other concerns can appear. You may start to wonder when your period will return, how soon you can get pregnant again, or if your fertility has been affected.
In this blog, we’re discussing when your period returns, when you start ovulating again, how soon you can get pregnant, and how abortion may affect future pregnancies. Keep reading to learn more.
How Long After Abortion Do You Get Your Period?
Your period should return within 4 to 8 weeks of having an abortion.[1] However, it may be irregular at first because of the hormonal changes caused by the procedure.[2]
How Long After Abortion Do You Ovulate?
On average, women can ovulate three weeks after an abortion[3], even if they’re still bleeding. If a woman is sexually active around that time, she could get pregnant again.
You can track your ovulation by tracking your period. You may also notice symptoms of ovulation after abortion, such as[4]:
- Mood changes
- Appetite changes
- Bloating
- Minor abdominal or pelvic pain
- Tender breasts
- Light spotting or bleeding
- Increased sex drive
- Changes in the firmness and position of your cervix
How Long After an Abortion Can You Get Pregnant?
Once you begin ovulating, it’s possible to get pregnant again. This can occur as early as three weeks after abortion, as mentioned above.
Abortion is a major procedure that can have a lasting impact on your body, specifically your reproductive system. However, it may be difficult to get pregnant again, depending on how many abortions you’ve had.
Does Abortion Affect Fertility?
Abortion can cause two conditions that affect fertility: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and Asherman’s Syndrome.
What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It happens when the cervix is damaged. Bacteria can then spread to the reproductive tract. This can occur after an abortion.[5]
Untreated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease drastically increases the risk of infertility.[6] In fact, more than 100,000 women become infertile because of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.[7]
What is Asherman’s Syndrome?
Asherman’s Syndrome is a condition where scar tissue builds up inside the uterus. It can be caused by Dilation and Curettage (D&C), a procedure often used to perform abortions.[8]
Women who have had multiple surgical abortions are at greater risk of developing Asherman’s Syndrome. This can make it harder to get pregnant in the future.[9]
After Abortion Support Groups in Alabama and Online
After the trauma of the previous abortion, the idea of getting pregnant again may feel overwhelming. It may be tempting to seek out another abortion if a pregnancy test comes back positive.
You don’t have to go through abortion again. Abortion Recovery Alabama is here to help you break the cycle and find healing. Consider joining one of our after abortion support groups. Groups are located in various locations in Alabama. You can also participate virtually.
Give us a call at (205) 894-2868. today. All services are confidential and free of charge!
Please be aware that Abortion Recovery Alabama does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023, April 1). Ending pregnancy with medicines. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000835.htm
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024, January 16). Medical Abortion. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion
- Schreiber, C. A., Sober, S., Ratcliffe, S., & Creinin, M. D. (2011). Ovulation resumption after medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol. Contraception, 84(3), 230–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2011.01.013
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022, July 8). Ovulation. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23439-ovulation
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
- See source #5.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023, February 8). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9129-pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022, January 8). Asherman’s Syndrome. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16561-ashermans-syndrome
- Tobah, Y. B. (2022, August 3). Elective abortion: Does it affect subsequent pregnancies? Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551