Pregnancy After Abortion: Your Period, Ovulation, and More

After an abortion, it’s completely natural to have questions. You might be wondering:

• When your period will return to normal
• When you’ll start ovulating again
• Whether the procedure will affect your fertility 

Whether you’re thinking about the future or simply want to understand what’s happening with your body, we’re here to provide clear, compassionate answers. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about pregnancy after abortion.

How Long After Abortion Do You Ovulate?

On average, women can ovulate as early as three weeks after an abortion.[1] This can happen even if you’re still bleeding. This is an important fact to understand because many women assume they cannot get pregnant while still bleeding or before their first period returns. 

However, since ovulation occurs before menstruation, it’s entirely possible to become pregnant again before you ever see that first post-abortion period. If you’re sexually active around the three-week mark after your abortion and you’re not trying to prevent pregnancy, there’s a possibility of becoming pregnant again. 

You can track your ovulation by tracking your period. You may also notice symptoms of ovulation after abortion, such as[2]:

• Mood changes
• Appetite changes
• Bloating
• Minor abdominal or pelvic pain
• Tender breasts
• Light spotting or bleeding 
• Increased sex drive
• Changes in the firmness and position of your cervix

How Long After Abortion Do You Get Your Period?

Generally, your period should return within 4 to 8 weeks of having an abortion.[3] This timeline is similar to what happens after a miscarriage or childbirth, as your body needs time to readjust hormonally.

Your first period after abortion may look or feel different than usual. The flow might be heavier or lighter than normal, and it may be irregular at first because of the significant hormonal changes your body has experienced during and after the procedure.[4] These variations are typically normal as your body transitions back to its regular menstrual cycle.

As your hormones stabilize over the next few cycles, your period should gradually return to its typical pattern. Be patient with your body during this adjustment period. Track your cycles to help you understand what’s normal for you moving forward.

How Soon After Abortion Can You Get Pregnant?

The short answer is: as soon as you begin ovulating again, pregnancy is possible. As mentioned above, this can occur as early as three weeks after an abortion.

While your body can technically become pregnant again very quickly, it’s important to consider both the physical and emotional aspects of this possibility. An abortion is a significant medical intervention that impacts your body, particularly your reproductive system. Your uterus needs time to heal, and your hormones need time to stabilize.

Does Abortion Affect Fertility?

Two conditions that can develop after abortion and affect fertility are Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and Asherman’s Syndrome.

What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It typically happens when bacteria enter through the cervix and spread to the upper reproductive tract. 

This can happen if bacteria enter the cervix during or after an abortion. It can also occur if the cervix gets hurt during the procedure.[5]

PID doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include[5]:

• Pelvic pain
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between periods
• Fever
• Frequent, painful urination
• Pain during intercourse

When left untreated, PID drastically increases the risk of infertility.[5] Scar tissue can form in the fallopian tubes, blocking the path that eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus. In fact, more than 100,000 women become infertile each year because of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.[6]

The good news is that doctors can treat PID effectively with antibiotics if they catch it early. This is why it’s so important to attend all follow-up appointments after an abortion and to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience symptoms like fever, severe pain, or unusual discharge.

What is Asherman’s Syndrome?

Asherman’s Syndrome is a condition where scar tissue (adhesions) builds up inside the uterus. These adhesions can fill the uterine cavity. In severe cases, they can cause the walls of the uterus to stick together.

This condition can be caused by Dilation and Curettage (D&C), a surgical procedure often used to perform abortions.[7] It involves scraping or suctioning tissue from the uterine lining. If the procedure is performed multiple times or too aggressively, it can damage the uterus, leading to scar tissue formation. Women who have had multiple surgical abortions are at greater risk of developing Asherman’s Syndrome. 

This condition can make it significantly harder to get pregnant in the future because the scar tissue can interfere with embryo implantation or prevent the uterine lining from thickening properly during the menstrual cycle.[8]

Symptoms of Asherman’s Syndrome can include[7]:

• Very light or absent periods
• Pelvic pain
• Severe menstrual cramps 
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Difficulty staying pregnant

If you’ve had multiple abortions and are experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor. Asherman’s Syndrome can sometimes be treated with surgery to remove the adhesions.[7]

Think You’re Pregnant After an Abortion? We Can Help.

We understand. The idea of getting pregnant again may feel overwhelming. It may be tempting to seek out another abortion if a pregnancy test comes back positive.

Choices Women’s Center is here to help you make an informed and empowered decision. We provide free pregnancy services, after abortion care, and a safe place to discuss your options and get the support you deserve. 

Give us a call at (252) 237-6833 or schedule your appointment online today! 

Please be aware that Choices Women’s Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.

Sources

1. 1. 1. Schreiber, C. A., Sober, S., Ratcliffe, S., & Creinin, M. D. (2011). Ovulation resumption after medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol. Contraception, 84(3), 230–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2011.01.013 
      2. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, July 8). Ovulation. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23439-ovulation
      3. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023, April 1). Ending pregnancy with medicines. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000835.htm 
      4. Cleveland Clinic. (2024, January 16). Medical Abortion. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion 
      5. Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594 
      6. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, February 8). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9129-pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid 
      7. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, January 8). Asherman’s Syndrome. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16561-ashermans-syndrome 
      8. Tobah, Y. B. (2022, August 3). Elective abortion: Does it affect subsequent pregnancies? Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551