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What Causes Pain In Lower Abdomen And Lower Back After Medical Abortion?
Question: my daughter had a medical abortion 10 days ago and she is still in so much pain in her lower abdomen and lower back that she cannot function. she doesn't have insurance and wont go to an er. is any og this normal and what could be wrong
Brief Answer:
It is not normal, she needs to see an OB - GYN
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
While undergoing a medical abortion, one should constantly be under medical supervision.
Let me explain why this is important.
Firstly, the pregnancy should be confirmed by a doctor , preferably with an ultrasound scan.
This has two purposes.
IT dates the pregnancy accurately, because these abortion pills work only within a narrow frame of time.
Secondly, it confirms that the pregnancy is inside the uterus, rarely, there is a condition called ectopic pregnancy ( pregnancy outside the uterus ) which is very dangerous.
AFter confirming the pregnancy, tablets are taken by prescription.
GEnerally 1 tablet of Mifepristone is taken orally, 48 hours later 4 more tablets of Misoprostol are taken orally or inserted vaginally.
Bleeding with cramps starts in a few hours, and lasts heavily for a few days.
Spotting might continue for 15 days or more.
It is compulsory to have a follow up scan after 15 days to establish that the uterus is empty and the abortion is now complete.
Pills are more than 96 % effective in early pregnancy, however rarely there maybe complications such as - heavy bleeding, infection, failure of pills leading to surgical abortion , fainting etc.
Hence it is a must to keep a doctor in the loop throughout.
The excruciating pain / cramps last for a few days while the contents of the uterus are being expelled.
It is not normal to have such incapacitating pain for 10 days.
It could be an incomplete abortion, infection , an undiagnosed ectopic - any of the complications I described.
She needs to visit an OB _ GYN and have a pelvic exam and an ultrasound scan.
Please explain the necessity to her.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss furthe.r
It is not normal, she needs to see an OB - GYN
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
While undergoing a medical abortion, one should constantly be under medical supervision.
Let me explain why this is important.
Firstly, the pregnancy should be confirmed by a doctor , preferably with an ultrasound scan.
This has two purposes.
IT dates the pregnancy accurately, because these abortion pills work only within a narrow frame of time.
Secondly, it confirms that the pregnancy is inside the uterus, rarely, there is a condition called ectopic pregnancy ( pregnancy outside the uterus ) which is very dangerous.
AFter confirming the pregnancy, tablets are taken by prescription.
GEnerally 1 tablet of Mifepristone is taken orally, 48 hours later 4 more tablets of Misoprostol are taken orally or inserted vaginally.
Bleeding with cramps starts in a few hours, and lasts heavily for a few days.
Spotting might continue for 15 days or more.
It is compulsory to have a follow up scan after 15 days to establish that the uterus is empty and the abortion is now complete.
Pills are more than 96 % effective in early pregnancy, however rarely there maybe complications such as - heavy bleeding, infection, failure of pills leading to surgical abortion , fainting etc.
Hence it is a must to keep a doctor in the loop throughout.
The excruciating pain / cramps last for a few days while the contents of the uterus are being expelled.
It is not normal to have such incapacitating pain for 10 days.
It could be an incomplete abortion, infection , an undiagnosed ectopic - any of the complications I described.
She needs to visit an OB _ GYN and have a pelvic exam and an ultrasound scan.
Please explain the necessity to her.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss furthe.r
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
In the past she has had issues with kidney infections. Can this be something that might be going on also?
Brief Answer:
Could be more prone to infections.
Detailed Answer:
If she is prone to kidney infections, all the more reason to have an evaluation.
She could be prone to having a pelvic / uterine infection too, if it has not been confirmed that the abortion was complete.
It could be that she is just more sensitive to pain than average, but given the history and symptoms, an exam / scan cannot be delayed.
Take care.
Could be more prone to infections.
Detailed Answer:
If she is prone to kidney infections, all the more reason to have an evaluation.
She could be prone to having a pelvic / uterine infection too, if it has not been confirmed that the abortion was complete.
It could be that she is just more sensitive to pain than average, but given the history and symptoms, an exam / scan cannot be delayed.
Take care.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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