Menstrual Cycle Changes After Taking RU-486

After taking RU-486, the menstrual period has not arrived yet?

Hello Doctor: I have a question I would like to ask you.
I discovered that I was about 2 weeks pregnant on February 7th (Saturday) and took the first stage of RU-486 that day.
On February 16th (Monday), I returned for a follow-up and took the second stage of the contraction medication.
During my follow-up on February 24th (Tuesday), the doctor mentioned that I had been pregnant for 9 days, but I continued to pass some light brown fragments intermittently, although not much.
This continued until around February 27th (Friday), when the doctor estimated that my next menstrual period would be on March 10th (since my cycle is usually around 23 days, at most 25 days, and it is quite regular).
So, I would like to ask whether I should start counting my menstrual cycle from the time I have completely stopped passing fragments after taking RU-486, or if I should follow the timeline provided by the doctor.
Please respond as soon as possible.
Thank you.

nicole, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2004/03/13

Dr. Zhan Deqin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

The timing is based on the day of the miscarriage, which is when the contents of the uterus are expelled.
However, after a miscarriage, the first menstrual period is usually slightly delayed, with some individuals experiencing a delay of one to two weeks.

Reply Date: 2004/03/13

More Info

After taking RU-486 (mifepristone) for a medical abortion, understanding the changes in your menstrual cycle can be quite complex. RU-486 is typically used in combination with another medication, misoprostol, to terminate a pregnancy. The timeline for your menstrual cycle can be affected by several factors, including the hormonal changes induced by the medications and the physical process of expelling the pregnancy tissue.

In your case, you mentioned that you took RU-486 on February 7 and followed up with misoprostol on February 16. It is common to experience some bleeding and discharge of tissue after taking these medications. The brownish discharge you are experiencing is likely old blood and tissue being expelled from your uterus, which can continue for several days or even weeks after the procedure. This is a normal part of the process, and it does not necessarily indicate that your menstrual cycle has resumed.

Regarding your question about when to start counting your menstrual cycle, it is important to note that the first day of your next period is typically counted from the first day of heavy bleeding, not from the time you notice light spotting or discharge. Since you mentioned that your cycles are usually around 23 to 25 days, if you expect your next period around March 10, this would be based on your previous cycle length before the abortion.

However, it is essential to understand that after a medical abortion, your body may take some time to return to its normal hormonal rhythm. It is not uncommon for the first period following an abortion to be irregular or different in flow and duration compared to your usual cycles. Some women may experience heavier bleeding or more cramping than usual, while others may have lighter periods.

If you continue to have brown discharge or any other unusual symptoms, such as severe pain or a foul odor, it is crucial to follow up with your healthcare provider. They can assess whether the bleeding is within the normal range or if further evaluation is needed to ensure that the abortion was complete and that there are no complications.

In summary, you should start counting your menstrual cycle from the first day of heavy bleeding after the abortion, not from the time you notice light spotting. It is also important to keep in mind that your body may take some time to adjust, and your first period post-abortion may not be typical. If you have any concerns or questions about your recovery or menstrual cycle, do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for personalized advice and support.

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