Infection following medical abortion (a pill abortion) is uncommon. If fever or severe abdominal pain occur after using medications to induce your abortion, seek medical advice immediately.
Around one percent of those undergoing medication abortions will require additional tablets or surgical assistance to successfully terminate the pregnancy. In these instances, additional pills or surgical intervention may be required in order to complete an abortion procedure.
Warning Signs of Infection After Abortion
After an abortion, there is a risk of infection, and recognizing the warning signs is crucial to ensure prompt medical attention. Here are the warning signs of infection after an abortion:
Foul-Smelling Vaginal Discharge
If you notice a foul smell coming from your vaginal discharge, it may indicate an infection.
Persistent Fever
If you have a fever lasting more than 24 hours following the abortion procedure, it could be a sign of infection.
Heavy Bleeding
Experiencing heavy bleeding, defined as soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours, may indicate an infection.
Severe Abdominal or Back Pain
If you experience intense abdominal or back pain that goes beyond normal cramping, it could be a sign of infection.
Abnormal Breast Tenderness and Sickness
Feeling unusual tenderness in the breasts and ongoing sickness two weeks after the abortion may suggest an infection.
Frequent Passing of Large Clots
If you frequently pass large clots, it could be a warning sign of infection.
High Temperature
Having a high temperature can be an indication of infection.
Continuous and Heavy Bleeding
If you experience continuous and heavy bleeding for more than two days after the abortion, it may suggest an infection.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Detecting and treating infections early can help prevent further complications or severe illness.
The Cleveland Clinic emphasizes that one key sign of infection following abortion is unpleasant odors from the vagina or heavy bleeding. While light bleeding after an abortion is normal, if two or more pads of blood soak through every hour for two or more hours after your abortion procedure then seek medical help immediately.
How Soon Can Signs of Infection Appear After an Abortion?
Signs of infection can appear within a few days to a few weeks after an abortion procedure. It is important to be aware of the following common signs of infection:
- Fever above 101°F
- Abdominal pain different from cramping
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Heavy bleeding (soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours)
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
- Fainting
- Persistent depression
- Feeling pregnant (fatigue, morning sickness, or breast/chest tenderness) more than two weeks after the procedure
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to contact a medical professional immediately. Infection after an abortion is a serious complication that can lead to inflammation of the reproductive organs, infertility, and life-threatening conditions like ectopic pregnancy.
Although it is uncommon to develop an infection after an abortion, taking antibiotics as a preventive measure can help minimize the risk.
Remember to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your healthcare provider to reduce the risk of complications after an abortion. If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Untreated Infection After Abortion
Untreated infection after an abortion can lead to complications, such as the spread of infection to the fallopian tubes and ovaries, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can increase the risk of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and scarring in the reproductive organs.
Women with a history of upper genital tract infection (e.g., in the uterus or fallopian tubes) are at an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. Damaged fallopian tubes can become blocked by abscesses, causing severe pain. Additionally, untreated sexually transmitted infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, causing tissue scarring and lifelong pelvic pain.
Recognizing signs of infection after an abortion is essential, including fever, foul odor, itching, burning pain, and bleeding during sex. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment can reduce the rate of post-abortal sepsis. To prevent infection after an abortion, it is recommended to undergo STD or STI testing before the procedure and receive treatment if necessary.
In conclusion, untreated infection after an abortion can result in severe long-term health risks, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Recognizing signs of infection and seeking prompt treatment are crucial to avoid these complications.
What Are the Treatment Options for Infection After Abortion
Although infection after an abortion is rare, immediate medical attention is necessary if infection is suspected. Here are the treatment options for infection after abortion:
Antibiotics: Antibiotics are the primary treatment for septic abortion. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are recommended. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment during a first-trimester surgical abortion effectively prevents upper genital tract infection. If pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) develops after an abortion, antibiotics may be prescribed for a couple of weeks.
Evacuation of Retained Products of Conception: In some cases, the removal of retained products of conception may be necessary in combination with antibiotic therapy.
It is important to note that the optimal duration of treatment for infected/septic abortion has not been determined through clinical trials. A recent study showed that no treatment is necessary for endometritis following a cesarean section after hospital discharge. Further research is needed to determine if this finding also applies to infected abortions.
If you suspect an infection after an abortion, be vigilant for warning signs such as fever, foul odor, and heavy bleeding. Contact a medical professional immediately if you suspect an infection or complication.
Remember, seeking medical attention if infection is suspected is always the best course of action.
Conclusion
After having an abortion, it’s advisable to visit your doctor for a check up to ensure proper healing of your uterus and detect signs of infection early so they can be effectively treated.
An abortion may cause minor bleeding or spotting immediately following, as your uterus returns to its prepregnancy size. But if you experience prolonged discomfort that does not respond to painkillers or an abnormal vaginal discharge, seek medical advice immediately or contact your clinic or GP.
As part of your recovery from abortion, it’s also vital that you wait two full weeks post-abortion before engaging in sexual activity. Doing so increases the chances of pelvic infections requiring further medical treatment as well as risking future fertility.
For your own safety and fertility’s sake, use contraception until after you’ve seen a doctor for follow up or two full weeks have passed post-abortion to ensure you don’t become pregnant again.
