Expert: Doctor Early Options - 5/24/2011

Question
I recently had a medical abortion (about a week ago), and aside from being an emotional wreck about the very hard decision I made, I feel off hormonally.  I'm still retaining water, feel very blah, exhausted, etc.  While I wasn 't expecting the time after the procedure to be easy, I am wondering what to expect the next month or so, and also would like to know if taking birth control pills would help alleviate the hormonal troubles and maybe get me back to feeling normal.  Also, I am in a monogamous relationship and my boyfriend is getting a vasectomy next week (the doctor told me not to have sex for three weeks), so if at all possible I'd rather not use birth control pills, but obviously if they're going to help during this transition period I would take them.  Thanks for your time.

Answer
The hormone shift you are feeling is normal.  It takes at least 2 weeks to get back to normal.  You should consider a reliable form of contraception until your partner has a vasectomy.  The pill will not help the symptoms but could take away some concern about another unintended pregnancy. WE often start the pill 1 day after the Misoprostol to prevent pregnancy.  We are not sure it helps with the hormone shift.  You should exercise and drink more fluid.  This does help.