How long you will bleed for after an abortion depends on whether you have had a surgical abortion or a medical abortion (abortion pills). If you have had a medical abortion, you may continue to bleed for up to eight weeks after your abortion. If you have had a surgical abortion, you may have some bleeding that can last for up to two weeks.
In this blog, we provide information on:
- How long you may bleed after taking abortion pills (a medical abortion)
- How long you may bleed after a surgical abortion
- Using menstrual products after your abortion
- Your abortion recovery and aftercare
How long do you bleed after taking abortion pills (medical abortion)?
Everybody is different, but when taking abortion pills, the abortion usually starts within a few hours and is usually completed within 1-2 days. Occasionally, it can take up to 2 weeks to fully pass all the pregnancy tissue, and you may continue to bleed for up to 8 weeks.
Once the pregnancy has been passed, both the pain and bleeding will usually reduce.
The bleeding may be quite heavy for a day or two as your uterus (womb) returns to its normal size.
It is usual to pass clots for a few days and intermittently for 1-2 weeks.
It is normal to have some bleeding or spotting, possibly with some small clots, for 2-4 weeks after a medical abortion and for some people it can be for up to 8 weeks after. This bleeding may come and go and be quite irregular, and you may continue to pass some smaller clots.
If you ever feel worried, please call our 24-hour aftercare line on 0345 122 1441 to speak to a healthcare professional.
How long do you bleed after a surgical abortion?
It is normal to have some bleeding after your surgical abortion. This may be heavier than a normal period, with small clots and can last for up to two weeks.
If it lasts longer than this, please call our 24-hour aftercare line on 0345 122 1441.
Using menstrual products after an abortion
After a surgical abortion, we recommend you use the menstrual products you are most comfortable with.
After a medical abortion, you can use any menstrual products, but using period pads is easier to track and monitor your bleeding. On days your bleeding is heavy, we recommend wearing a suitable pad such as the thick maternity ones.
If you use tampons or menstrual cups, please consider using period pads instead for 48 hours after taking the second tablets (misoprostol), as this will help you monitor your bleeding. If you decide to use tampons or menstrual cups, please ensure you change them regularly.
Abortion recovery and aftercare
It is important that you take all the time you need to look after yourself after an abortion. We are here to support you.
You can always contact our dedicated aftercare line on 0345 122 1441 to talk to one of our nurses after your treatment. This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To learn more about what to expect during and after an abortion, click on the links below:
