Expert: Pat G - 3/20/2010

Question
QUESTION: I had an abortion in the beginning of Jan. and the bleeding was light. Then, I had received my period for two days at the end of Jan. and it seemed like it was going to be normal but ended. And then, I have not received my period and it's now the middle of March. I have taken two tests and at least 5 days a part and both negative. I have been under stress lately. I feel like it's coming and even have received a little brownish and a little red blood but that's it. It comes and goes. My husband and I even use condoms. Nervous but lost and concerned at the same time. I know I will have to make a trip to the GYN but just for a piece of mind, I'm asking you. Thank you.

ANSWER: Hello, Kate,

Unfortunately, I can't tell you over the internet what is going on with your body, and neither can anyone else. That said, stress DOES sometimes cause a woman to delay her period. As for condoms, they don't work. It would be more effective for you to learn how to tell when you are fertile. You have to chart faithfully, and you can't be using any hormones. To find out more, go to this web site:

http://www.fertilityuk.org/

Then you can avoid sex during your fertile time if you don't want a pregnancy.

I can only speculate about what is going on with you. You didn't say what kind of abortion you had. A pill abortion could possibly unbalance your hormones in a way that would upset your cycle. More thorough tests of hormones would answer a lot of questions. If you had a surgical abortion, I imagine that there could be scar tissue over the opening to the cervix, preventing the blood from coming. Were you awake during your abortion? Also, it is possible, I suppose, that you have some kind of infection that is affecting your cycle. I am interested in learning what you find out; it will be helpful to me in talking to other women.

Please go to someone other than the person who did the abortion. They won't want to admit anything went wrong. Take care.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I did have a surgical abortion and was awake during it. I know that the surgical procedure can have a lot with what's going on. Could there be a possibility I might have a urinary track infection?......and maybe that could be affecting things?
I am going to the GYN this coming up week and will let you know what happens. In hope that it's nothing serious. Thank you.

Answer
Hello, Kate,

A surgical abortion also upsets a woman's cycle, though I'm not getting frequent reports that it causes the kind of problem you are experiencing. If you are taking any hormones, such as birth control pills, this can stop a woman's period.

It is quite possible you have a urinary tract infection. Infections after abortion are common. I don't know how that would affect your cycle. I will be very interested to find out what you learn. Thank you for keeping in touch, and take care.