Abortion, medical or surgical, is a serious medical procedure that comes with risks. One of the risks is an infection.
It’s vital to know the signs and symptoms of infection after abortion so you can seek treatment quickly. Keep reading to learn more about them.
1. A Fever Lasting Longer Than 24 Hours
A fever is a part of your body’s immune system reaction. While a fever can be a sign of many different types of viruses or infections, if you had an abortion recently, it’s critical to take notice.
A temperature taken orally that reads as 100°F or higher is considered a fever. The Mayo Clinic recommends adults call their healthcare providers if their fevers reach 103°F or higher.
2. Foul-Smelling Vaginal Discharge
If you have vaginal discharge that smells fishy or rotten, that’s a sign to get checked right away. If it’s right after an abortion, it could be a sign of infection.
Foul-smelling vaginal odor or discharge can also be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or an STI known as trichomoniasis. An OB-GYN can take a culture to identify the cause of the abnormal vaginal discharge and effectively treat it.
3. Severe Abdominal or Back Pain
If you have severe pain in your back or abdomen after an abortion, you will want to consider visiting your doctor or seeking urgent medical care.
Abdominal pain is a symptom of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is an infection of the female reproductive organs. Signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Even if you have mild symptoms, like unusual vaginal bleeding or pain during sex, seeking medical care can help identify and treat PID to prevent any lasting damage.
If you did not receive an ultrasound before a medical abortion and you are having severe abdominal or back pain, and maybe even shoulder pain, there’s a chance you could have an ectopic pregnancy. Seek emergency care if this could be a possibility.
4. Heavy Bleeding
If you are soaking two pads an hour for over an hour, you are bleeding heavily.
Considering Abortion?
This could be a sign of infection or dangerous bleeding caused by another issue (like uterine perforation from a surgical abortion). Either way, it is a serious risk to your health, and you should seek care immediately.
There are precautions you can take if considering the abortion pill. The most critical is having an ultrasound before taking abortion drugs to identify if you have an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage and determine if you’re ten or fewer weeks pregnant.
Schedule a no-cost appointment at Sienna Women’s Health today for an ultrasound and to discuss all the options and risks to protect your health.
