Periods after Ectopic

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Good evening everyone

I just wanted some advice/hear from people with similar experiences…

I’m a 41 year old woman and have a 6 year old son. I’d decided to try for another child and fell pregnant quickly. Unfortunately in May this year I was told the pregnancy was ectopic. Thankfully after 2 days in hospital the unsuccessful pregnancy resolved itself without the need for any kind of medical intervention.

My first bleed following the ectopic pregnancy was some 8 weeks later. I assumed maybe naively that after that first period my cycle would return to normal. My periods have always been regular as clockwork 28-29 day cycles. Since May I have only had 2 periods and am currently on day 40 of this cycle waiting for my period!

Did it take this long for anybody else to get back to their “normal??” following an ectopic pregnancy?

Thanks in advance x

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Hi Jodie80,

I’m so sorry to hear that you have had to suffer an ectopic pregnancy and loss. Many women find changes to their periods following treatment for ectopic pregnancy.

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.

With good wishes,

Michele

Michele

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

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