Can You Get Pregnant Immediately After Abortion While on Birth Control?

Can you get pregnant immediately after taking birth control pills following an abortion?

Hello, my girlfriend underwent an abortion on February 22 and had a follow-up appointment on March 1.
The doctor checked and said there were no issues, and recommended that she start taking the combined oral contraceptive pill (28 tablets), beginning with the first pill on March 1.
March 22 will be the first pill of the fourth week.
I read online that menstruation is expected to occur during the fourth week after starting the pill.
Should we expect her period to start on the first day of the fourth week, or is it normal for it to take a few days? During this time, we had sexual intercourse, and on March 21, there was ejaculation inside, but she has not experienced any bleeding.
She has been taking the pills consistently.
I would like to know if there is a possibility of pregnancy? Can she become pregnant before experiencing her first period after the abortion? Thank you, doctor.

Xiao Lin, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/03/22

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

My girlfriend underwent an abortion on February 22 and had a follow-up appointment on March 1.
The doctor examined her and said there were no issues, recommending that she start taking oral contraceptive pills (28 tablets).
She began taking the first pill on March 1, and March 22 will be the first pill of the fourth week.
I read online that menstruation should occur right after the fourth week of taking the pills.
Should we expect her period to start on the first day of the fourth week, or is it normal for it to take a few days? During this time, we had sexual intercourse, and on March 21, there was ejaculation inside her, but she hasn't experienced any bleeding.
She has been taking the pills on schedule.
I would like to know if there is a possibility of pregnancy.
Can she become pregnant before experiencing her first period after the abortion? Thank you, doctor.

Answer: It is normal for menstruation to occur within a few days, and it is unlikely that she is pregnant.

Reply Date: 2017/03/22

More Info

After an abortion, it is indeed possible to become pregnant again before your first menstrual period, especially if you are not using effective contraception. In your case, your girlfriend had an abortion on February 22 and started taking birth control pills on March 1. The birth control pills are designed to prevent ovulation, and if taken correctly, they are highly effective at preventing pregnancy.

However, it is important to understand how birth control pills work. When starting the pill, it usually takes about seven days for the contraceptive effects to kick in if you start taking them outside of the first five days of your menstrual cycle. Since your girlfriend started taking the pills on March 1, she would have been protected from pregnancy by March 8, assuming she took the pills consistently and correctly.

Regarding your question about the timing of her next period, it is common for women to experience changes in their menstrual cycle after an abortion. Some women may have their first period within four to six weeks post-abortion, while others may take longer. The birth control pills can also affect the timing and flow of her menstrual cycle. It is not unusual for the first period to be delayed or for the cycle to be irregular after starting the pill, especially after an abortion.

As for the sexual activity on March 21, if your girlfriend had been taking her birth control pills consistently since March 1, the likelihood of her becoming pregnant from that encounter is low. However, no contraceptive method is 100% effective, and there is always a small risk of pregnancy, particularly if the pills were not taken as directed.

If she does not get her period within a few weeks after the expected time, it would be wise for her to take a pregnancy test to confirm whether or not she is pregnant. Additionally, if she experiences any unusual symptoms, such as severe abdominal pain or heavy bleeding, she should contact her healthcare provider immediately.

In summary, while it is possible to become pregnant shortly after an abortion, the use of birth control pills significantly reduces that risk if taken correctly. It is essential to monitor her menstrual cycle and consult with a healthcare provider if there are any concerns about her health or potential pregnancy.

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