The pregnancy hormone, HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin), can remain present for up to two months following an abortion.
In this blog, we explain what HCG is, and how long it stays in your system after an abortion.
How long after an abortion does it take for your HCG levels to go down?
What is HCG?
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) is the pregnancy hormone that starts to be produced around 6 days after fertilisation (when the sperm fertilizes the egg). It is the hormone that is detected in a pregnancy test.
How long does HCG stay in your system after an abortion?
HCG can stay in your system for up to two months after an abortion even if you are no longer pregnant. This means that you might get a positive pregnancy test after your treatment.
For this reason, it is important that you use the special pregnancy test we have provided you and not a shop-bought test, which may remain positive even if you are not pregnant.
You can find our full guidance on taking a pregnancy test after an abortion – including what to do if you get a positive result – here: When to take a pregnancy test after an abortion
Read more about abortion aftercare and what to expect
Everyone will have a different experience after a medical or surgical abortion, and we’re here to support you during your recovery. It’s important to know what to expect and how to look after yourself following an abortion. On the pages below, we provide more information on abortion recovery and aftercare:
- Abortion aftercare
- Medical abortion recovery
- Surgical abortion recovery
- Do’s and Don’ts after an abortion
- When to take a pregnancy test after an abortion
- How long do you bleed after an abortion?
- When will I get my period after an abortion?
Remember: we are here for you. We have a 24-hour dedicated aftercare line, where you can talk to one of our nurses about your aftercare and recovery: 0345 122 1441.
