Understanding Delayed Period & Spotting After Medical Abortion: Causes & What to Expect

Question
Hi Doctor

Im 19 and had a medical abortion on the 21 Oct and it went quite well, I had my period on the 21 November and they were very normal. I have a 31 day cyle and was expecting my period to start on the 21 or 22 Dec but they havent started. I had sex on the 5th of Dec and thats when I was supposed to be ovulating, so I thought I might be pregnant and took 3 preg tests on different days and they were all negative so I couldnt have conceived on the 5th. I had sex again on the 16th and that was 5 days before my period so I know I wasnt fertile unless my whole cycle has been totally thrown off by the abortion 2 months ago. Its now the 29th and I have been having slight crampings that I ususally get before my period and my breasts are a lil swollen and sore like when Im about to get my period, but they still havent started:-( and last night I noticed a brownish mucus stringy discharge which I never had before and thought it was my period but I woke up this morning and there was nothing. Is it maybe possible that I conceived on the 16th and it was implatation bleeding that was on my discahrge or is it just showing that my period is on its way? Preg tests are still negative. Does the fact that I had a medical abortion in October have anyhting to do with this? Y didnt I skip the 1st period after the abortion or Y was it not late. Is it normal for my periods to only start getting irregular on the 2nd month? Could I be pregnant but with no HcG to show? Is my period on the way?? Please help me understand

Answer
Hi Nelly,

I'm not a medical doctor so I can't really diagnose your condition online but I can speculate.

It's possible that the abortion altered your cycle and made it abnormal. Eventually your cycle should get back to normal. In the meantime, this altered cycle could be why things don't seem right.

It's also possible that you could be pregnant and that is why you had the discharge and other symptoms. The test you took might have been too soon. I would advise you to get a free pregnancy test at a pregnancy resource center. You can find a location near you at http://www.optionline.org or call 1-800-395-HELP. Another good website to find resources is
http://www.heartbeatinternational.org/worldwide_directory.asp

Please email me at CHERYL51@aol.com so we can talk more. Hope to hear from you soon.

Diane Cheryl