Hi Marjorie,
I am so sorry that you are suffering an ectopic pregnancy and you are going through this worrying time. Unfortunately, I am not medically qualified to comment on your specific situation. In many cases, the initial bleeding is the pregnancy resolving itself and not your period. It is good that you continue to be monitored by your Drs and through blood tests.
In regards to resuming a period, there can be considerable variation between women. Your periods can take a while to re-establish and they can re-start anything between two and ten weeks after treatment. Most women find that their period arrives sometime around week six or seven after surgery, and at some time in the four weeks after their hCG levels have fallen to 0 if treated with Methotrexate.
It may be the case that your period will take a bit longer to return, and even then, it may not be on the same schedule as before. It might be heavier or lighter and it may be more painful than normal. The period after that is usually more like your normal pattern. However, although there is no medical reason for it, women do very often report some irregularity to their cycle for several months after an ectopic pregnancy.
Broadly speaking, doctors consider menstrual (period) cycles of between 23 to 42 days to be within normal parameters. If the first day of your last period was more than 42 days ago, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the possible reasons for this.
You know your body the best, and while the hcg levels are decreasing, it’s important to be mindful of your symptoms until you reach non-pregnant levels, under 5mIU/mL, as there is unfortunately still a chance of rupture. The symptoms of a deteriorating ectopic pregnancy, which include worsening or progressively increasing pain; vaginal bleeding; shortness of breath; feeling faint; and pain in the tip of the shoulder among others, may become noticeable. If you suffer any of these symptoms you will need to be reassessed. Your hospital would give you a number to contact for health advice if you feel that anything is changing, or you will have been told to report to the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E). If you have not been told what to do and need to speak to someone ring the hospital department which is treating you or the NHS 111 Service by dialing 111.
From the bottom of my heart, please be kind to yourself through your recovery. We are here for you whenever you need it.
With good wishes,
Michele
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.
If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?
Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk
Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk
We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653
Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters
Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team
I have another blood test Saturday to check my HCG level. I feel lost & alone. Everybody is telling me how lucky I am that they found out really early on and I didn’t need surgery but I don’t feel lucky at all!