Expert: Dr. Harriet Johnson - 10/28/2009

Question
hi,
i had a termination about 8 years ago when i was 20 yrs old in england. I think i went thru the vacuum procedure under general anesthesia where i was put to sleep.
after i woke up, i know i was bleeding and had menstrual like cramps. a month after, i had a period which was lighter and smelt different too. My cycle before the termination used to be 5 days with good red blood, however after the termination, my cycle changed to 3 days and brownish and sometimes red color.

i got married 2 yrs ago and was on the pill for 10 months. while on the pill i would get a period everymonth but it lasted only a day.
i have now stopped the pill and its been over a year. my period is still very light. I get a period every month (28-30days cycle) but the first day i get cramps and sometimes just spotting. then second day i bleed normaly (maybe change of 4 to 5 pads) and by third day its nearly gone. my concern is that why has my cycle and period color and smell changed so much after the termination which was 8 yrs ago???
i am now trying to get pregnant for last three months and am really scared that the termination may have done something to mybody.
pls. help.

thanks.  

Answer
Hi,

After the abortion, your hormones never returned to normal, this is the cause of the change in your periods. It's not a problem and I believe the abortion didn't affect you, the pregnancy itself did by changing your hormones. You shouldn't have trouble conceiving. Good luck!