After an abortion, your body needs time to recover, and knowing what is normal and what is not can directly affect your health.
Infection is among the more serious complications that can follow an abortion procedure, and most women are not monitored by a provider in the days after. As a result, recognizing concerning symptoms falls to you.
PCS Health is a licensed medical clinic offering free, confidential services to support your health before any pregnancy decision.
Contact us today to request a free, confidential appointment.
Warning Signs of a Post-Abortion Infection
Whether you had a medical or surgical abortion, the symptoms of infection often look similar.
Watch for the following, and contact your provider or go to the nearest emergency room if any of them apply:
- Heavy bleeding: soaking through more than two pads per hour after a medical abortion, or more than one pad per hour after a surgical abortion
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours, or any fever following a surgical abortion
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Severe abdominal or back pain, or cramping that continues beyond 48 hours after a surgical abortion
- Rapid heart rate, chills, or persistent vomiting
Bleeding that worsens rather than tapering over the days is another red flag.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, do not wait to see if they resolve on their own; contact your medical provider right away.
Why Untreated Infection Is So Serious
Post-abortion infections often develop when pregnancy tissue is not fully expelled, a condition known as an incomplete abortion.
Once an infection sets in, it can spread quickly and cause lasting damage to the reproductive system.
Complications can include:
- Sepsis, a body-wide infection that can become life-threatening within hours
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs
- Future ectopic pregnancy caused by scarring in the fallopian tubes
- Infertility from scar tissue that interferes with implantation
- Tubo-ovarian abscess in the ovaries or fallopian tubes
- Chronic pelvic pain during ovulation or intercourse
Steps to Protect Your Health Before an Abortion
If you are still weighing your options, two steps can meaningfully lower your risk.
A limited ultrasound confirms gestational age, pregnancy location, and viability, three pieces of information that directly shape what is safe for you.
An untreated STI at the time of an abortion procedure raises the chance of infection, so testing first is a meaningful safety measure.
Free, Confidential Care at PCS Health
PCS Health offers free, confidential pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, STI/STD testing, options information, and post-abortion counseling.
Whether you are recovering from an abortion or are pregnant and trying to understand your next step, our caring team is here with the accurate information and compassionate support you deserve.
Contact PCS Health today to request your free, confidential appointment.
PCS Health does not provide or refer for abortions.