What to do if menstruation is delayed after an abortion

Sep 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Lu

Introduction

Induced abortion usually refers to the surgical procedure of terminating a pregnancy. In general, delayed menstruation after an induced abortion may be caused by slow endometrial repair, excessive postoperative mental stress, endocrine disorders, endometritis, or intrauterine adhesions. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatment, medication, or surgical intervention.

Abortion usually refers to an induced abortion procedure. Generally, delayed menstruation after an induced abortion may be caused by slow endometrial repair, excessive postoperative mental stress, endocrine disorders, endometritis, or intrauterine adhesions. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition through general treatment, medication, or surgical treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Slow endometrial repair: The endometrium is damaged during the abortion procedure and may take longer to heal, leading to delayed menstruation. Postoperatively, avoid fatigue, ensure sufficient rest, and consume more protein-rich foods and soy products to promote endometrial repair.

2. Excessive postoperative mental stress: Emotional disturbances such as anxiety and tension can interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, affecting hormone secretion and causing delayed menstruation. Alleviate stress through listening to music, exercising, communicating with family members, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding staying up late.

3. Endocrine disorders: Hormone levels may not recover promptly after an abortion, leading to abnormal ovulation and delayed menstruation. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as hot flashes and insomnia. Patients should follow their doctor's instructions to use medications such as ethinylestradiol cyproterone tablets, drospirenone ethinylestradiol tablets, or desogestrel ethinylestradiol tablets to regulate hormone levels and restore a normal ovulatory cycle.

4. Endometritis: Bacterial infection following an abortion can cause inflammation, affecting normal endometrial shedding and resulting in delayed menstruation, which may be accompanied by lower abdominal pain. Patients should follow their doctor's instructions to use medications such as cefuroxime axetil tablets, metronidazole tablets, or levofloxacin hydrochloride capsules to control the infection.

5. Intrauterine adhesions: Damage to the endometrium during an abortion can lead to partial or complete adhesion of the uterine cavity, obstructing menstrual blood flow and causing delayed menstruation or even amenorrhea. Mild adhesions can be treated with medications such as estradiol tablets, dydrogesterone tablets, or progesterone soft capsules as directed by a doctor to promote endometrial repair and relieve adhesions. Severe adhesions require hysteroscopic adhesion lysis surgery to separate the adhesions and restore the normal shape of the uterine cavity.

In daily life, it is important to keep warm postoperatively to avoid catching a chill, maintain cleanliness and dryness of the external genital area, and change underwear frequently. Avoid sexual activity and strenuous exercise for one month after surgery, attend regular follow-up appointments, and practice proper postoperative care to promote recovery and reduce the occurrence of menstrual abnormalities.

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What should be noted after a post-abortion curettage?

After undergoing induced abortion or uterine curettage, patients should pay attention to rest and nutrition, monitor bleeding, maintain external genital hygiene, avoid sexual intercourse, and attend follow-up appointments regularly. When undergoing abortion or curettage procedures, patients should choose qualified medical institutions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the surgery. Additionally, to avoid the risks associated with unintended pregnancy and abortion, women should practice effective contraception.

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How soon can I get pregnant again after a miscarriage?

Under normal circumstances, the time for another pregnancy after a miscarriage depends on the type of miscarriage. For women who have had a complete natural miscarriage, it is generally safe to have another pregnancy after 3-6 months. However, for those who have undergone an induced abortion, the uterine lining may be damaged, so it is recommended to wait at least 6 months before attempting another pregnancy to ensure safety and reduce the risk of another miscarriage.

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How long does it take for the uterus to recover after a miscarriage?

The recovery time of the uterus after a miscarriage mainly depends on the gestational age and the extent of endometrial damage. Generally, if a miscarriage occurs within 1-2 weeks of pregnancy, the endometrial damage is mild, and recovery may take about one month. However, if the miscarriage occurs after more than 12 weeks of gestation, the endometrial damage is more severe, resulting in a longer recovery period, which may require 1-2 months.

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How long after a miscarriage can one resume sexual activity?

In general, it is recommended to wait at least one month after a miscarriage before resuming sexual activity. Whether it is a natural or induced miscarriage, the female reproductive system will experience a certain degree of trauma. During the miscarriage process, the endometrium sustains wounds and the cervix remains open, both of which require time to heal. Women should pay attention to personal hygiene and maintain cleanliness of the external genital area after a miscarriage.