Vaginal bleeding is an expected part of a medical abortion, but there is a point when heavy bleeding may signal a complication that requires medical attention. Knowing the warning signs can help you recognize when bleeding has gone beyond what is expected and when to seek immediate care.
Learning about the risks and complications of a medical abortion and your individual pregnancy is an important part of protecting your health. Echoz provides evidence-based medical information as an accredited medical clinic. Our registered nurses provide pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds to help you learn more about your pregnancy. Schedule an appointment with Echoz to get started.
Why Does Medical Abortion Cause Bleeding?
A medical abortion uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, which is needed for a pregnancy to continue, while misoprostol forces the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
Abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding are expected after taking the drugs, and bleeding may be heavier than a menstrual period and include blood clots. Other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fever, or chills.
The amount and duration of bleeding can vary. Because heavy bleeding can also be a sign of a complication, knowing specific warning signs is important.
How Much Bleeding Is Too Much?
One of the clearest warning signs is the rate at which you are soaking through sanitary pads.
Seek immediate medical care if you are soaking through two full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours. This degree of bleeding can indicate excessive blood loss and requires medical evaluation.
Other physical symptoms that warrant medical attention include:
- Fainting, dizziness, or significant weakness
- Severe abdominal or back pain that does not improve
- A fever of 100.4°F or higher
- Chills or flu-like symptoms that persist
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
These symptoms can indicate complications such as significant blood loss or infection. If your symptoms are severe or you believe you may be experiencing an emergency, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Why Can Excessive Bleeding Occur?
One possible cause is an incomplete abortion, which occurs when pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus. Continued or excessive bleeding can occur, and additional medical treatment may be necessary. Prolonged heavy bleeding can become serious if enough blood is lost.
Internal bleeding can also occur with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus, with about 90% occurring in a fallopian tube, and abortion drugs do not end this condition. Without timely medical treatment, an ectopic pregnancy can rupture and become life-threatening.
Symptoms such as severe or one-sided abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder pain, weakness, dizziness, or fainting require immediate medical attention.
Why Learn About Your Pregnancy Before Considering the Abortion Pill?
A positive pregnancy test cannot tell you how far along the pregnancy is, where the pregnancy is located, or whether the pregnancy is developing. These details can be evaluated with a limited ultrasound and may identify concerns that require medical attention.
At Echoz, registered nurses provide pregnancy testing, and limited ultrasounds are available when appropriate. As an accredited medical clinic, Echoz provides evidence-based medical information about abortion procedures and risks as they relate to your health and pregnancy.
Have Questions About Your Pregnancy?
Heavy bleeding and other warning signs discussed above require prompt medical attention. If you are not experiencing an emergency but have questions about your pregnancy or are considering your options, Echoz can help you start with information about your health and pregnancy.
Contact Echoz to schedule a free appointment with one of our nurses.
Echoz does not provide or refer for abortion services.