Expert: Pat G - 7/30/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello Doctor,
On 9/6/2011 I was less than a month pregnant when i had my medical abortion by taking cytotec.
I had bleeding for few days with cramps and little clots! later on i have experienced spotting that stopped in a matter of 2 weeks. On 22/7/2011 i got my period, there were very bad cramps alot of clots and heavy bleeding! this kept going for 2 days then the bleeding became normal less clots,, however, each day i get 2-3 hours of bad cramps that cause me to bleed too much then it stops. Cramps and bleeding only reside when i take voltareen 100mg anally. I have tried many painkillers and none have worked with those cramps like voltareen.
I am very concerned about this cramping,for the past few days no clots come out and its only brown-red blood. It has been a week now and i want to know what is going on and when might this stop!

ANSWER: Hello, Sara,

Please know that I am not a doctor. I am a medical researcher.

First of all, Cytotec by itself won't necessarily cause an abortion, and if you were less than a month from your last menstrual period, it is unlikely you can use abortion pills of any kind to cause abortion. If you were less than a month from when you think you conceived, it might. The manufacturer of Cytotec specifically says a pregnant woman should NEVER take it. It can kill her, and if she doesn't abort, the baby can develop some fairly serious birth defects. It is normally not used alone. And it is a medication intended for stomach ulcers, not unintended pregnancy.

I am assuming that you meant you took the pills on June 9. Is that correct? It would be unusual for you to keep bleeding this long, but not unheard-of. These pills are basically poisonous, and they disrupt a woman's hormones. Cramps after abortion are usually caused by the uterus trying to clamp down so that a woman doesn't bleed to death. You need to be careful because if the Voltaren causes the uterus to relax, your bleeding can increase. That much bleeding is very dangerous. Voltaren is an NSAID, similar to aspirin, and these drugs can cause problems. It is normally used for pain following cataract surgery. It can cause stomach pain, vomiting, sleep difficulties, headache, dizziness, fever, chills and runny nose. There may also be eye symptoms, but because you are not using it in your eyes, not necessarily. I recommend you take cayenne to prevent blood thinning and increased bleeding.

Brown-red blood means it is probably old blood, which is encouraging. I can't tell you when the cramps will stop, but if you were getting your period (instead of bleeding for another reason), they should ease up for awhile.

If necessary, see a doctor about this problem. There is really nothing anyone can do over the internet to help you, and since your symptoms are unusual and troubling, you may well need medical care.

Please don't ever take these poisonous pills again. You deserve better. Let me know what happens. I will be here if you have any more questions.

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

QUESTION: Okay so mainly i should change the painkiller for now! My period normally is five or six days and today is my seventh! i am outside my country for now and I am going to travel on Wednesday 3/8/2011,, until i travel I wont be able to check up with any doctor.
So do you have any advice you can give me??I heard that it is normal for you to have a 2-week period post abortion and abnormal cramps!

Answer
Hello, Sara,

I didn't say you should change the painkiller you are taking. If it is the only one that works, you may not have a choice.

If your symptoms are troubling you, and you feel at risk, you need to see a doctor, even though you are not in your own country. If you are currently in Lebanon and will be going to a country where you don't have to worry so much about attitudes toward women, try to wait. However, it is possible that you currently shouldn't be traveling, so seeing a doctor right away may be necessary. You will have to give it some thought and decide on what to do, and do it.

Please be aware that there is NOTHING normal about having an abortion, so any of the problems it causes aren't normal, either. Bleeding and cramps are COMMON after abortion, especially pill abortion. But it is NOT common to be bleeding and cramping for this long. All that bleeding will seriously weaken your body, and could kill you. This is why I think it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible, because there could be something seriously wrong. At the very least, watch yourself closely, and if you bleed too much, or things get worse, seek help. For the bleeding, try eating foods with red hot peppers in them, or get some cayenne as a supplement and take it. But don't mess around with this. Don't go to the person who supplied the pills. Find someone else.

Please don't take any more chances. Please take care. Let me know how you do.