Concerns About Conception After Medical Abortion: What to Know

Issues with Conception After Medical Abortion

I am one month pregnant.
On December 3rd, I took (RU-), and on December 5th, I took uterine contraction medication to expel the embryo, resulting in uterine bleeding that lasted until December 17th.
However, on December 21st, I had sexual intercourse with my husband (initially without a condom, and put one on just before ejaculation).
Is it easy to conceive under these circumstances? I am a bit worried about whether I have already resumed ovulation!

Miss Lin, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/12/22

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

One month into the pregnancy, I took RU- on December 3rd and then took uterine contraction medication to expel the embryo, resulting in uterine bleeding until December 17th.
However, on December 21st, I had sexual intercourse with my husband (initially without a condom, and only put one on just before ejaculation).
Is it easy to conceive under these circumstances? I'm a bit worried about whether ovulation has already resumed! Answer: It is unlikely to conceive.

Reply Date: 2019/12/22

More Info

After undergoing a medical abortion, many women have concerns about their fertility and the possibility of conceiving again shortly after the procedure. In your case, you took RU-486 (mifepristone) on December 3rd and followed it with a uterine contraction medication on December 5th. You experienced bleeding until December 17th, which is a typical response as the body expels the pregnancy tissue.
Regarding your question about the likelihood of conception after your medical abortion, it is important to understand how the menstrual cycle and ovulation work post-abortion. Generally, after a medical abortion, it can take some time for your body to return to its normal hormonal balance and for ovulation to resume. However, many women can ovulate as soon as two weeks after the procedure. This means that if you had unprotected intercourse on December 21st, there is a possibility that you could conceive, especially if you were already in the process of ovulating.

The timing of your sexual activity relative to your ovulation is crucial. If you had already ovulated by December 21st, then there is a chance that sperm could fertilize an egg, leading to conception. Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for up to five days, so if you were close to your ovulation window, the risk of conception increases.

It is also worth noting that after a medical abortion, your menstrual cycle may not return to its regular schedule immediately. Some women may experience irregular cycles or delayed ovulation in the months following the procedure. Therefore, while you may have concerns about whether you have resumed ovulation, it is possible that you could still be fertile shortly after the abortion.

If you are worried about the possibility of being pregnant again so soon after your abortion, consider taking a home pregnancy test if your next period is late. Additionally, if you are not planning to conceive immediately, it is advisable to discuss contraceptive options with your healthcare provider to prevent unintended pregnancies in the future.

In summary, while it is possible to conceive shortly after a medical abortion, the exact timing of ovulation and the effectiveness of any contraceptive methods used during sexual activity play significant roles. If you have further concerns or experience any unusual symptoms, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance.

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