Dear Vic86-,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,
It is not unusual for women to bleed after treatment for ectopic pregnancy. This first bleed after treatment is a response to falling hormone levels and involves shedding of the uterine lining and is not classed as a period. The length of the bleeding can vary from woman to woman and some women do report spotting and bleeding for up to around six weeks after an ectopic pregnancy.
With your first bleed, we would recommend using sanitary pads and this is because you would still be healing internally. It is important to avoid tampons until you have healed internally because they could introduce bacteria and the possibility of infection. Also, it is a good idea to keep a close eye on your bleeding and using sanitary pads helps judge this. If you are soaking more than a pad in an hour, you should get medical attention. You can of course use tampons for your next normal menstrual period if you choose to do so. While this is usually nothing to worry about, if you develop offensive smelling discharge or body temperature of more than 37°C, please do get medical attention as these too can be signs of infection.
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards
During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.
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Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk
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