Expert: Pat G - 9/12/2009

Question
I recently had an abortion about 2 1/2 weeks ago, however i feel like i am having an issue; I am still bleeding. Its light and not too heavy but it has a foul odor. I am very embarrassed by it and have to wash up several times a day at work, just because it is so strong and i am sure people may smell it. I recently have tooken a std screening, and i was ok. I only have one partner so i don't know what is the issue. I'm alittle embarrassed to let my doctor know about it. I haven't wanted to get checked out because of the odor.

Answer
Hello, Cassandra,

If your partner has ever had sex with anybody else, infection is possible. More likely is that you picked up an infection from the abortion itself. Abortionists are notorious for not sterilizing instruments properly, and for re-using disposable instruments. Heck, I know of one feminist clinic where an abortionist who is infected with HIV is operating, and everyone knows it, and nobody is doing anything about it. There is also the possibility if you had a surgical abortion, that your uterus was damaged, and even there was a perforation involving the bowel. If you had a pill abortion, it could be an indication you have retained tissue. Or, if you had a lot of pain at the time, it could have caused your uterus to be ruptured. All of these things threaten your life and your future fertility. I don't know how many diseases they routinely check for with an std screening, but there are about 50 different diseases. Other possibilities are pelvic inflammatory disease, which impairs a woman's fertility. So you need to keep pursuing this until you get an answer. Don't let embarrassment get in the way of your safety! Find out what the problem is. You should not be experiencing a foul odor! Please pursue this. Let me know what you find out.