Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose:I had an abortion surgery on the 8th of this month. After the surgery, I did not rest properly in bed. Three days later, I took an overnight long-distance sleeper train, and then went back to work. In terms of diet, I did not eat light and nourishing foods, and I showered every two days.
By the 15th, the bleeding had stopped, but now on the 20th, I have started bleeding again. The blood is dark in color, with some clots and (blood fragments). The amount of bleeding is not heavy, and there is no abdominal pain. My previous menstrual cycle also started on the 20th.
Is this due to infection caused by the surgery? Or is it because of poor rest? Is it normal menstruation? Or did the surgery not succeed, and the uterine lining was not completely cleared?
Doctor's answer:
After artificial abortion, it is necessary to rest for 2 weeks, maintain cleanliness and hygiene of the external genitalia, eat less spicy and irritating foods, and consume more nutrient-rich foods to help the body recover as soon as possible. Before menstruation resumes after abortion, sexual activity, sitz baths, vaginal irrigation, and medication should be avoided. This is because the cervix is relaxed, the endometrium is shedding, and the local defense ability is weakened, making it easy to cause retrograde infection, leading to pelvic inflammatory diseases such as endometritis and adnexitis. Severe cases may result in infertility. It is recommended that the bleeding volume after abortion should be less than the menstrual flow, the bleeding duration should be less than 2 weeks, and the abdominal pain should generally not exceed 3 days. If these standards are exceeded, it should be considered as possible intrauterine residue, incomplete uterine involution, or uterine cavity infection, and active medical examination should be conducted for diagnosis and symptomatic treatment.