Expert: Pat G - 8/29/2010

Question
dear dr pat.a had my lmp on june 26.on july 26 i made an preg test and it comes out positive.on august 1 night i took cytotec tab.in the morning i had bleeding its like normal period but with clot,thick hard 3 inches blood i had on my 6th day.after that it stop for a week.on august 15 i had my bleeding,i went to my ob and he said that everything is normal and my uterus is empty,but to be sure he ask me to make HCG titre.my 1st result was 2330 Miu.and he ask me to make again after 2 days,i went there and 2nd result is 1965 miu.he said i am query ectopic pregnancy.so please doctor if i had ectopic pregnancy why i have bleeding from the 1st day i have taken the medicine?is it normal to have 3 weeks bleeding??do you think i am away from ectopic pregnancy?cos im so afraid..now i still have bleeding but with some small white like tissue is it normal?thank you for time god bless..

Answer
Hello, lili,

First, please know I am not a doctor. I am simply someone who has done a lot of research, and talked to a lot of people.

If your HCG levels are declining, you are no longer pregnant. You can test again. I understand that occasionally, they will give these medications to try to deal with an ectopic pregnancy. If you are still concerned, you should ask for an ultrasound of your tubes.

Bleeding for prolonged periods after taking these medications is common. These medications stop the hormone that controls a woman's bleeding. Women sometimes bleed to death after taking these pills. They can also die of toxic shock syndrome, and that only takes a few hours. The manufacturer of Cytotec says a woman should never take it. It can kill a woman in several different ways. So far, it looks like you have been lucky. But if you get heavy bleeding, please get immediate medical care. And in the meantime, if you eat spicy food with red hot peppers in it, it should help.

One should also not take Cytotec for another reason. Instead of causing abortion, it can cause serious birth defects. It tends to cause a baby's arms and legs to stop growing, and also the head and brain. This results in severe mental retardation.

Please don't take any more chances with your life. Since you are in Saudi Arabia, you are running a serious risk if you are having sex when you are not married. I get questions from women who are living in an Arabic country, and were having sex, not married, and are now pregnant. I can do almost nothing to help them. Don't get into that position, please. Sex is for making babies. Please take care of yourself and stay safe!