Expert: Pat G - 7/26/2010

Question
I had my abortion 5 weeks into pregnancy. The type of procedure was where they use some king of suction. I was showed on a monogram the before and after results of the procedure. I bled heavily for about a week and a half, I thought it was abnormal but it subsided after that time. It's been 5 weeks since that day and I still have pain on my right side near the appendix. Probably an ovary huh?! Well besides the pain I have not had my period, I dont feel like Im going to get one anytime soon either. I have no signs of pregnancy, I feel normal, sleep patterns are normal, eating habits, and my breast have even gone back to their original small size! The pregnancy test states a negative reading too.
Im wondering if this could be an infection, however wouldn't I feel sick, or have a high temp if I had an infection within my body? The worst part is that I am in the medical field and I am aware of the adverse reactions surrounding this area. I'm just afraid of doctors and want to know why I am feeling the way I am without having to approach one. I just hate to be categorized... I'll get checked out later, but now; I just want an opinion.

Answer
Hello, Tash,

There is one kind of infection a woman can get, from using misoprostol vaginally, that doesn't cause her to develop a fever. If a person's body doesn't develop a fever, then possibly it's not fighting back. This infection kills a woman within hours, and I am not aware of any woman who has developed symptoms who survived.

Since you had suction, you were open to an infection getting established in your body. They have to scrape the lining away, and cut the placenta loose. This leaves raw wounds where something can get directly into the bloodstream. Abortionists are often very careless; their facilities won't pass basic health inspections. They often do not sterilize instruments properly, if at all. So infection seems real likely. (It's too bad your fear of doctors didn't prevent you from taking this risk.) But whether it's in an ovary or your appendix would be a matter for a doctor to diagnose.

As for lack of a period, I am sure you are aware that the pregnancy hormones in a woman's body take awhile to dissipate.

You have medical background, and your guess as to what is causing it is better than mine, because I can't feel what you are feeling, I can't examine you, or do any of the other things people do when they diagnose a problem. I don't have enough information to offer an opinion. Wish I could help, but over the internet is an especially difficult way to figure something like this out.

Just in case it's your appendix, you really need to be checked right away. Please let me know what you find out.