Many women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant and consider an abortion look to the abortion pill as a non-surgical option. Whether you’re still thinking about a medical abortion or have already had one, this blog seeks to answer your questions about caring for yourself after the procedure.
What is the Abortion Pill, and How Does it Work?
The abortion “pill” is actually two different medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. Here’s how they work:
Mifepristone blocks your body’s production of the hormone progesterone, which is crucial for sustaining your pregnancy.
Misoprostol then induces contractions, which help the body pass the fetus from the uterus.
Pain During Medical Abortion
As with any major medical event, your body will need time to recover after taking the abortion pill. Experiencing pain is normal. Usually, this is a matter of cramping and some bleeding.
The amount of pain you experience will depend on how far along your pregnancy is, your body type, and your individual pain tolerance.
You likely won't feel any effects immediately after taking Mifepristone (the first medication). However, after 24-48 hours, when you begin taking Misoprostol (the second medication), you can expect to feel moderate-to-severe cramping within just a few hours.
Accompanying this, you will experience light-to-moderate bleeding, similar to your experience during your menstrual cycle, though this can be more intense for some women.
NOTE: If you experience heavy bleeding, contact a medical professional immediately.
Overall, this cramping and bleeding process will last anywhere between 6-48 hours.1
How Do You Feel After A Medical Abortion?
Pregnancy involves all of you: Your body, emotions, and mind. As such, you can expect to feel a variety of things after an abortion.
Physical Pain After An Abortion
Once the fetus is passed, you’ll likely feel period-like cramps and bleeding over the next two weeks.
During this time, you’ll likely feel fatigue and weakness due to blood loss and physical exhaustion from the cramping.
Some women experience nausea and vomiting during this time as well.
For several weeks after an abortion, you can expect lighter, irregular bleeding.2 Additionally, your breasts will likely feel sensitive as your hormone levels return to pre-pregnancy levels.
Mental and Emotional Effects of a Medical Abortion
Given the hormonal changes your body experiences, you can expect mood swings, irritability, as well as any of the other ways you feel during your period.
Additionally, you may initially experience feelings of relief, doubt, anxiety, worry, or depression. Generally, these feelings are a combination of your hormones but also of reasons for having an abortion and how those closest to you feel about your decisions.3
After this short window, however, the emotional and mental effects can last months or years. Just like with delivering a baby, the decision to abort requires the support and affirmation of those around you.
If you need to find someone to talk to, most local pregnancy centers offer free post-abortion counseling. You can find one near you here.
Do’s and Don’ts: Post-Abortion FAQs
Now that you understand what to expect during your first 6 weeks let’s look at some of the most common questions women ask after they take the abortion pill.
Can you use tampons after the abortion pill?
Given that the abortion pill experience is similar to that of a heavy period, you may want to use a tampon to manage the bleeding. But not all menstrual products are safe to use during this time
Do not use tampons or a menstrual cup while you are still bleeding after taking abortion pill medication.4
Why? This is not a menstrual cycle. Your body is bleeding because it is healing. Your body needs time to heal, and tampons both delay this healing and expose your uterus to bacteria that can infect you.
Instead, use pads or other menstrual products that do not involve inserting anything inside you.
How long after an abortion until I can have sex again?
As mentioned above, your body is healing after an abortion, so don’t have sex too soon. Like with giving birth, it’s best to wait at least two to three weeks before engaging in penetrative sex.2
When can you exercise after the abortion pill?
Each woman is different, so the speed at which you heal will vary based on your personal health and how far along your pregnancy was at the time of the abortion.
Do rest and don’t engage in stringent exercise until your body is ready.
When is your body ready? For most women, you can begin to exercise again after 1-2 weeks.5 As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t be exercising while your body is still regularly bleeding from the effects of the abortion pill.
Can you take a bath after an abortion?
Like with exercise, don’t bathe too soon. You are free to shower and clean yourself, but do not take a bath as your uterus is still open.6 Your body is still healing, and infection can occur when the uterus is exposed to bacteria in the water.
Can I drink alcohol after an abortion?
Generally speaking, you can drink after the abortion pill if you’re not taking any medications.
Be careful, though. As with any situation that involves blood loss, drinking alcohol will affect you more than normal and can delay your healing.
How long after an abortion until you get your period again?
Many women return to a regular menstrual cycle within 6 weeks of taking abortion pill medication, though, for some, it can take months for their period to become regular again.2
Contact your doctor if you do not have a period within 8 weeks.
What if I still have symptoms after 6 weeks?
If you are still bleeding and cramping after 6 weeks, you may have an infection or an incomplete abortion and are still pregnant.7
Signs of this include fever-like symptoms, foul odors, and unusual discharge.
If this occurs, contact your doctor for clarification and additional treatment.
Sources
1. https://aidaccess.org/en/page/454/when-will-you-start-bleeding-and-how-long-will-it-last
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313098#emotional-effects-of-abortion
4. https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/non-surgical-procedures/abortion/after-an-abortion/
5. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007382.htm
6. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000658.htm
7. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/70914/9789241548434_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y (2.3.2)