Someone asked us: When should I take a pregnancy test after my abortion? How long after an abortion do symptoms of pregnancy go away?
Abortion is incredibly safe and effective, so it’s really rare that you’ll still be pregnant after an in-clinic abortion or taking abortion pills. Pregnancy symptoms should go away a few days after your abortion.
The signs of pregnancy after an abortion are pretty much the same as they are any other time:
- Swollen or tender breasts
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Feeling tired
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Peeing more often than usual
Regular pregnancy tests that you get at the store and some health centers may give you a false positive result for up to 5 weeks after your abortion — that’s because you may still have some pregnancy hormones left in your body that the test can pick up. But it doesn’t mean you’re pregnant.
However, it IS possible to get pregnant very soon after an abortion, even if pregnancy tests are coming up positive or your period hasn’t started yet. So if you’ve had sex without using birth control since having an abortion, a positive pregnancy test could mean that you’re pregnant again.
Abortion starts a new menstrual cycle, so your period should go back to normal 4-8 weeks after your abortion. When your next period will come depends on the birth control method you use.
If you’re not on birth control, you should have a period by 8 weeks after your abortion. If you’re not using birth control and you don’t get your period 8 weeks after your abortion, call your doctor or a Planned Parenthood health center.
If you can't get in touch with a Planned Parenthood health center, but still have questions about a miscarriage or abortion, the Miscarriage + Abortion Hotline is a private and secure phone and text hotline, staffed by medical professionals. They are not affiliated with Planned Parenthood, but they may be able to provide helpful information.
Tags: Abortion, abortion pill, pregnancy symptoms, in-clinic abortion