Expert: Doctor Early Options - 11/10/2009

Question
Hi Dr. Joan,
I live in the United States. It has been a little over 2 weeks since I took the abortion pill. And I was spotting normally after my abortion but now my bleeding has came back and I don't know what that means. Every time I know a lot of blood is going to come out I rush to the restroom and its blood like when im on my period. I haven't gone to my followup appointment yet but im schedule for this Sunday. Is this normal? this is my 3rd abortion, the first one was surgical and the second one is the pill abortion.

Answer
Dear Mary,
It is common and normal to have bleeding that stops for weeks, and then starts again after taking the Abortion Pills.  Blood flow that is like a period is normal.  Blood that is red like a period, or brown, like discharge is normal. Sometimes the blood flow can be much heavier, and have clots.  This is also normal. The bleeding can happen daily, or it can stop and start.  

Irregular bleeding from the Abortion Pills can go on for weeks to months.  The average length of irregular bleeding is 6 weeks.  This kind of bleeding is the main reason women are unhappy with the Abortion Pills.  However, your period will come back to normal.  Usually when women understand that it is normal, the bleeding can be more annoying that upsetting.

Bleeding that should be evaluated after the Abortion Pills includes: heavy, gushing bleeding and clots for more than 24 hours, bleeding associated with severe cramping, or daily bleeding like a period (or more) that lasts more than 4 weeks.  If you are not sure if your bleeding patterns are this heavy, it is best to call the doctor who prescribed the Abortion Pills.  

There is much more information on the Abortion Pills on my website: http://www.earlyabortionoptions.com  

I hope this is reassuring,
Doctor Joan
Early Abortion Specialist
New York City