Due to various reasons, the abortion rate in our country is currently high. One of the concerns many people have is how long it takes to get their period again after an abortion or taking abortion pills. The return of menstruation after an abortion also depends on various factors, so it can vary from person to person.
1. What is abortion?
Abortion is a method to end a pregnancy or a pregnancy with a high risk of birth defects. There are many methods of abortion that can be used, such as using drugs, smoking ... depending on the age of the fetus, people choose the appropriate method.
1.1 For abortion in the first trimester
This refers to methods used to terminate a pregnancy from 6 weeks to 12 weeks, starting from the first day of the last menstrual period. There are two options for first-trimester abortion:
- Medication abortion: This method, also known as medical abortion, involves no surgical intervention. It uses a combination of two medications, Mifepristone and
- Misoprostol, to end the pregnancy. Medication abortion is indicated for pregnancies up to 7 weeks. It causes the pregnancy to stop developing, and the uterus will contract to expel the fetus, similar to a miscarriage. Medication abortion is effective in ending a pregnancy 96-98% of the time. Note that medication abortion should only be prescribed by a specialist, and it should never be self-administered for abortion purposes.
- Suction abortion: This is a procedure that uses a vacuum device to remove the fetus and end the pregnancy. It is performed for pregnancies between 6 to 12 weeks. The effectiveness of this method is up to 98%.
1.2 Second-trimester abortion
During this period, abortion is performed using the dilation and evacuation (D&E) method. This method involves both medication and instruments to terminate the pregnancy. It is typically used for pregnancies between 13 to 18 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. First, the patient is given medication to terminate the pregnancy and soften the cervix. After about 4 hours, the pregnancy is then evacuated. Since the fetus is larger in this stage, the risk of complications during the abortion is significantly higher than in the first trimester. To reduce risks, it is important to choose a reputable clinic and ensure that the procedure is performed by an experienced practitioner.
After both medication and surgical abortions, symptoms such as abdominal pain and bleeding similar to a menstrual cycle usually occur and typically last 7 to 10 days. In some cases, the bleeding may last slightly longer, but the amount of blood generally decreases over time.
2. How long after taking abortion pills does menstruation return?
After an abortion, many women wonder when their menstruation will return, such as how long after taking abortion pills or having a suction abortion will menstruation come back. Typically, most women experience menstruation again 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion, and it may take around 3 cycles for the menstrual flow to return to normal. However, the return of menstruation after an abortion depends on several factors, such as whether there was significant blood loss during the procedure, how well the body is recovering, whether there are infections, retained tissue, or anemia.
Additionally, if you do not follow contraception guidelines, it is possible to become pregnant again after an abortion. If you conceive immediately after an abortion, menstruation will not occur. Therefore, if menstruation does not return within 8 weeks after an abortion, it is essential to see a doctor to determine the cause.
3. Important notes for safe abortion
Some important considerations during and after an abortion:
- First, to ensure the safest abortion, it is essential to choose a reputable facility and a trained professional to perform the procedure. This helps reduce the risk of complications.
After an abortion, you should take medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. - Immediately after the abortion, you will experience bleeding for about 10 days. Make sure to maintain good hygiene and change sanitary pads frequently until the bleeding stops. It is especially important to refrain from sexual intercourse until the bleeding has completely stopped. If you notice either no bleeding or excessive bleeding, consult a doctor immediately.
There is no need to avoid specific foods, but you should have a balanced diet to replenish the lost blood. It is recommended to consume iron-rich foods like beef, lean meats, eggs, milk, and green vegetables. - Keep your spirits up and avoid excessive stress or anxiety, as it can affect your health and menstrual cycle.
- Avoid heavy physical labor during the first few weeks after the abortion.
- If you engage in sexual activity, use contraception as instructed by a healthcare provider to avoid pregnancy, as you can still conceive after an abortion. The ideal time for conception after an abortion is about 3 months, when both physical and reproductive health have stabilized.
- If bleeding lasts more than 2 weeks, or if you experience high fever and chills, or if menstruation does not return after 8 weeks, seek medical advice.
Hopefully, this article has answered your questions about how long after abortion pills menstruation will return, or how long after suction abortion menstruation will return. The time for menstruation to return varies for each person but typically ranges from 4 to 8 weeks.
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