Vitamins and Period after Tube removal

Hi Everybody, I had the Methotrexate shot about 4 weeks ago, it did not work out for me and I had emergency surgery last Wednesday and they removed my tube. When does your period come after tube removal and when can you start taking prenatals? Thank you, Kally

Dear Kally,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy loss and everything you have been through.

Your periods can take a while to re-establish and they can re-start anything between four and ten weeks after treatment. Most find that their period arrives sometime around week six or seven after surgery.

Before you can have a period, you would usually have to ovulate. It is perfectly possible to ovulate 14 days after surgical treatment, so it is important to be aware that it is possible to become pregnant without having a period first if you are not using some form of contraception.

The first period may be more painful or less so than usual, heavier or lighter, last for longer or shorter than usual – there really is no set pattern. You should be able to manage the discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief and should not be soaking a pad in less than an hour. If this is not the case, you should seek medical attention.I

The reason we advise to stop pre-natal vitamins and folic acid is because they can stop the methotrexate from working well. As you sadly went on to have surgery, you are no longer relying on the methotrexate to work, so you can start taking pre-natal vitamins anytime.

Methotrexate however lowers folic acid which is essential for development in early pregnancy so it is still extremely important that you take folic acid supplements for 12 weeks before trying to conceive.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

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