Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Menstruation after surgery for ectopic pregnancy

I was wondering if anyone has experience in this:  I had surgery three weeks ago today for an ectopic.  I ovulated around the 7th (based on an OPK, BBT and CM).  My progesterone on Mon. was 1.5.  I know low prog. can mean you will start to menstruate...but here is my question:  I think I am just starting to get the first period after the surgery but am not sure.  Yesterday I had a spot of bright red blood and then a little brown mucus.  This morning I had more brownish mucus and brown blood, and I am starting to see pink (not mucus, just like a stain on the toilet paper).  I also saw some bright red mucus.

I called the RN to see if that was the start of the 1st AF after surg. and she said to treat it as if it is, but since it is "old blood" because it is brown, and there is only a little pink, she can't be sure.  I know it's supposed to be much heavier than normal and more painful (I do have a sharp pain not like the post-surgery pain today in my lower abdomen.)  If this spotting/staining stops should I assume it isn't my period? I have had periods where I got brown staining, then nothing for 2 days, then my period.

I am wondering mostly because I need to go through two cycles (in other words 3 periods) before I am allowed to try again (plus have a hysterosalpingogram).

I know the RN told me to assume it was, but I was wondering if anyone had this spotting and if it stopped and you actually got your period.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and sorry so long.
73 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hello Everyone
I'm so very sorry for your loss I truly understand. I'm new to this EP thing but not loss. I had a previous miscarriage at 8weeks 4 years prior to my EP. Which I just had laparoscopic surgery for on august 13th. I had a Roller coaster experience. I had no idea I was pregnant my periods have been all over the place so I was 3 months late and decided OK I can't blame it on nursing school stress . I  took a home pregnancy test after 2months one slight positive and many negatives later. I went to see my GP about my blood pressure medication and told her that I need her to do a pregnancy test. Well you guessed it, it came back positive. I'm shocked and excited all at once. Then it hits me I've been on lisinopril  this entire pregnancy and I need to see an ob. I had to wait 5 days to get an apt, I'm nervous and scared. I get to the ob apt on a Tuesday and the doctor will not take my insurance, even though my GP sent the recommendation for an emergency apt. So I guess my gut says go to the emergency room. I do and I tell them I'm in pain so they take me, although I'm not.I learned for nursing school pain is important when it comes to emergency. They do ultrasound and blood work, I'm still pregnant my hcg is 4392 and nothing, not even a sac is showing in my uterus. So they look at my tube and say they see nothing and send me home with instructions to see an ob, I'm not far enough along they say. So I go home, the next morning I call my ob that had done surgery on me 2 years prior for a cyst in my uterus. He says he will take me no matter what insurance I have, but there is no sono tech in office that day. Can I go to the other hospital in town that they partner with so he can get my results right away. So I do, they do blood work my hcg levels are up to 5530 and the ultrasound tech is moving me around every which way and she may see a blur on right tube. So they er doctor says go straight to the ob he wants to see you, I get there he schedules me for surgery the next morning it's in my tube and he is going to have to remove it. So I have not had a but a week to process I'm pregnant , that's all you need to get attached to life inside of you. I come out of surgery and the doctor, says it was my left tube and he had to take part of it because I was too far along and I stretched the tube and it would not stop bleeding.  So now I've lost my child and my left tube it what seemed like a blink of an eye. I go home to recovery, I have slight spotting the first day then no blood until 4 days later . The pain was so bad and No one told me to expect to have a flood I'm back in the doctors office, he explains to me I have to shed that layer and I'll be fine take some pain med and stay at home. I'm now a week and 1 day  out of surgery and still bleeding but it's down to  spotting.My head is still spinning and I have a million questions, along with my feeling hitting me like a train, they finally caught up with me and im emotionally hurt and disappointed . When should I get my normal cycle? How long should I wait to try again? Will having one tube make it harder? How long should I have cramps in odd places?
Thanks for listening ladies I hope there are good follow up stories with little ultrasound for you all,
Blessed and Hopeful for us all
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi. Im sorry for your loss. I too had a EP I was about ten weeks. I lost one of my Fallopian tubes. I'm almost three weeks post-op. I don't feel any cramps whatsoever. I just want to know when you got your period
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am really sorry for everyone's loss, and I know exactly how all of you feel, I found out I was pregnant june 11th this year after giving a specimen at the doctors office when I went in for my ankle, go figure I didn't know that I was pregnant, I mean I still had my period, didn't have sickness or any of the usual symptoms. I was so happy! when I went to my ob/gyn to let her know the news, she was so excited for me, until she came back with the results.......she didn't look too happy. my lvls were really low they were only 25. yes 25. so she sent me away to get more blood work done every 48 hrs. I started taking my prenatal pills and with every result my lvls were rising slowly. (fast forward to july) I had my first official sonogram on july 3rd and they found that I was expecting multiples. I was excited but terrified! I mean c'mon. but my moment of seeing them inside me was over far too quickly. the tech looked to my right ovary and noticed an abnormality, and said I needed more blood work, my doctor told me I was about 2 months in and that I had a possible ectopic pregnancy that they needed to follow, so they sent me home and did nothing about it. seeing how my lvls are normal and all.  my birthday was on july 14th and I slept it away, multiples made me extremely tired all the time. but on july 20th, at around 6 a.m I awoke in extreme pain. I couldn't breath, it was so hard to move and I was home alone I called the ambulance and was taken to the E/R and right there they told me my right tube had ruptured due to an ectopic pregnancy and I needed emergency surgery or I wouldn't make it, I don't really remember much else before the surgery just lots and lots of screaming and crying from pain. but afterwards the surgeon came to see me in post-op and held my hand and told me he was sorry that they couldn't  do anything to save my pregnancy. now a month and 4 days after my surgery im bleeding really heavy, and it feels sorta like the pain I felt after surgery, the pain I feel is the same pain I felt using the bathroom for the first time after the procedure. its horrible, ive got only one tube and one ovary left at only 23 years old. no kids, and they said I only will have a 15-25% of ever having a child... :'( I hope someday i'll be able to have at least one baby, that's all I really want, my husband and I are looking at adoption if we cannot conceive.
         Stay strong and be blessed
                    <3serenity
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi I'm new tu this n I had surgery this month on the second I had a lap also n got my tubes blown out tu help us conceive he also found adhension (scar tissu) I didn't bleed fa long just the day of my surgery on tha fouth of July I decided tu start having intercourse, I started tu bleed heavy I bleed for five or six days, July 19th I had sexual intercourse n I began to bleed again n have lower back pain, I just left the ER they diagnosed me with viginal bleeding, n to see a doctor ASAP did I do something wrong, did I mess my chance up for getting pregnant???
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I hope you are feeling better now, but thought I'd reply in case anyone else looked for answers.  I had that too following my surgery and when I saw the surgeon about it and the fact that I was still so sore and swollen there, he said it was because there is still blood in the abdominal cavity.  When they operated on me they basically tipped me up so all the blood that was in there from the rupture went toward the top of the ribcage.  Then when they close you up, although they try and suck up all the blood, they miss some, so it gradually comes back down again which doesn't help with the tenderness and swollenness. Sorry for the lovely image I've created there!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi.. i undergone ectopic pregnancy operation on april 11, it was ruptured and blood clots. i didnt experience bleeding but my tummy slightly pain when i touch it. is it normal? it feels like contusions at outer skin..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I m 27yrs and had no idea I was pregnant,  but got used to the idea of being 6weks pragnent. When I went for an ultrasound,  I found out I had an ectopic pregnancy and had to go for surgery immediately. Along with my laparotomymy of ectopic pregnancy, I had my right tube removed?  

It's been 3weeks since my surgery and I want to know when will I get my periods and how iften will I het them cause my rt tube has been removed and is the pain as severe as the pain I used to feel during the pregnancy? Finally,  Does it get easier with time?
My partner doesn't understand why at times I cry for no apparent reason, and I sometimes cry when he isn't around. I don't have anyone who understands what I m going through and it kills me.

No women deserves to go through such pain and suffering
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just recently went through a ectopic pregnancy in my right tube and was removed via laproscopy (spelling?) Three days ago. They removed my right tube and a cyst the size of a golf ball off of my overy... the question I'm asking is when should I expect my next period? Will it be normal? When does the pain stop?... my ob/gyn said I can have another child since my left side was in perfect condition... I already have one child but me and myhusband want another... where do I begin knowing I ovulated?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi all- I am 30 and my husband & i just married in March & had just decided to try to concieve.  I had an ruptured ectopic pregnancy on sept. 15th, 2012 and had to have my left tube removed.  Last period cycle was end of July...I had to be about 6-7weeks preg and I had been cramping for days and thought i was going to get my period but found out I was pregnant due to cramping in my stomach and decided to get a home preg test done since my aunt flow hadnt came.  The cramping continued as i happilu announced i was pregnant to all.  I asked around if cramping was normal and my sisnlaw said everyone is different.  Unfortunately a week and a half of good news became bad...that Saturday Sept. 15th from 2-6 I began having sharp uncomfortable pain from my stomach to my rear end and was in & out of consciencenous...ambulance was called & i was rushed to ER.  They did a quick ultrasound and told me my liver was swimming in blood & neede emergency surgery to remove the blood and my left tube.  I had loss alot of blood and needed about 4units before surgery.  They knocked me out for an hour of surgery... I came to and tthey told me  I was going to be just fine. Spent 2 days in the hospital til discharged and was on pain meds.  Bled for a few days but it wasnt like a regular period- was told it was normal.   Finally 44days after surgery I got my period and the cycle has just ended today.  I am glad to be almost back to normal and will try to concieve again in the next few weeks with hopes that everything will go well axcording Gods' will for us.  Greatful to be alive. -Jamie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had to have my right tube removed as well back in July the 27th to be exact here it is October and I have seen a period yet can someone explain to me why is that?
Helpful - 0
1541566 tn?1298558333
I just had lapararoscopy done on Sunday due to ectopic pregnancy.. It's been 4 days since and now I'm feeling crampy and have slight bleeding when I pee. I was just wondering is it normal or posible to get your period just days later after laparoscopy?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had an ectopic back in March 21st 2012 had my left tube removed....In April i received a period which was my first, since then my cycle has been very unpredictable. I have had another on June 30th which lasted for 5 days bringing the period into the month of July. It is now August and nothing....Am wondering is this normal?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My story sounds like all of yours. my right tube was removed n now im on my second period since surgery and im havin extreme sharp pain on my right lower abdomen. my question is does this get better? ive always had terriable periods now its way worse! Also what will i feel like if i get pregos again? any help would be amazing thanks!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello,
Justwanted to congradulate you on your baby thats great news :) So im going through what you went through, i just had an ectopic pregnancy & had surgery & als lost my right tube. I wanted that baby more thananythingbutnow that i read your story i have hope i will be able to have a baby. I was wondering how long was your recovery & how long did you wait to get pregnant again, did you take any meds, have treatment??? Sorry for all my questions im just in need for some relief i guess :/
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Does anyone know how long the hgc hormone stays in your body? I had a ectopic pregnancy , and had to have my right tube removed exactly 3 weeks ago! My hgc and protestorne levels were really low, and I was wondering if it is possible that I could have had a period even when I was pregnant because of low levels , or how long the hgc shows up in your body because I'm having pregnancy symptoms and have had sex 5 times in the last 4 weeks and just tested positive for a home pg test! Could it just be left from ectopic preg even though it has been 3 weeks and the levels were already really low then?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i had already gone with operation of having ectopic pregnancy last feb 27, 2012....after 3 days with my operation i had spotting with brown color...and after 5 days i suffered abdominal pain.i cannot moved my legs and my doctor give me a pain reliever and it relieves the pain after 2 hours when i am urinating there is 2x3 size of blood just like a whole blood.the doctor said maybe its my day of menstrual period and after that the  spotting  is there but after 7 days no more spotting..im now on healing period with the bruise...hope no more abnormalities occur...tnx
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had my left tube removed Jan. 13 and I bled a few days after. I've read that doesn't count as a period, so I still have yet to have one. I have been searching online for something to tell me whether or not that was normal
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too suffered an ectopic pregnancy : (  when my doc couldnt find the pregnancy in my uterus, ovaries and tubes he was so quick to offer the metho. shot,but i chose to wati a few days and get a 2nd opinion. On 11/30/11 i just wanst feeling good so i went to the ER, and sure enough thru a vag ultrasound we heard the little heart beat and i knew then that i was over. Got the metho. shot with no surgery. After getting the metho. shot i was concerned about what would happen to me next (meaning bleeding, cramps, or whatever) and my OB said i would see mild signs of a period because the lining in my uterus had to shed. so for the 1st 2 weeks i didnt have anyting going on, then i started spotting which turned into heavy bleeding within that 1st week. So im laying in bed and my stomach is HURTINGGG and i tried passing gas and that didnt work and i figured i had to make a bowl movement, so i tried and that helped a little. So im still in the bathroom and felt the need to push and not sure what it was, but i passed sumthin from my vagina. TWICE!!! i had an appt with my OB the next day anyway and he said it was prob my placenta (although the look on his face was in total shockkk since he said i wouldnt pass anytihng). I bled for about another week and 2 days then it stopped. So im still waiting for my regular cycle to start, but im not in a rush to try again!! too disappoiting!! Does anyone know when it should start? Jus wanna get back to normal!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi im 23 and on the 15th of november had surgery to remove my right tube im currently waiting for a period  and would really like one now so i can feel normal how long does it take or is it just a waiting game im very sorry for any one that has had to go through this! im still in shock from it all as it has all been a bit serial?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a etopic preg removed in april this year, i have had normal periods for three months since however i have noticed that my period is lighter one month and heavier the next i suspect its brcause of not bein able to ovulate one month! I will say this that this has been the hardest ghing iv ever had to go through i cant get over it and i hope that all of you facing this sentence can find happiness again and im so sorry for your loss
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank God, i'm not the only one going through this, I'm 27 years old, and was on Mirena when this happened to me, It is sooo RARE to get pregnant while using mirena let alone an ectopic pregnancy.  I read 12 out of 10,000 people have an ectopic pregnancy while using mirena.  I as well had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy four weeks in and they had to do emergency surgery to remove my left tube, 3 weeks after surgery, and i'm having the heaviest period of my life, its running down my legs nonstop!  I really hope its not going to last for a long time.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, im 24 I too had an ectopic pregnancy in my left tube, october 31st 2010. I was 9 weeks along. At first i bleed for a couple days after the surgery. I only recently had a proper period last month. It was the normal reddish color but lasted only for 4 days. Any time between the operation and now, i would spot or when wiping have a little bit of blood. I am wondering now how often i will get my period with having only one ovary and tube?? I would have been due now had things been different. But my partner and i are not giving up on trying again.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi! i'm 25 and i had ectopic pregnancy last mar17.. I didn't know that I was pregnant at 2months when i felt pain in my lower part. I was bleeding almost a month that time and spotting as well. I had check up, and doctor said I had infection, so I did ultrasound. Result showed it was ectopic and it was already ruptured. Operation followed immediately. They removed my right tube. I was so devastated because I really want to have a baby.. when I found out that I was pregnant at 2months and it had to be removed, it was really painful both physically and emotionally. After operation, my first period showed after 1 and a half month, and it lasted 1week! at first it was brownish, spotting. Then all of a sudden it was so heavy, so much blood and clots, i was afraid that all blood came out of me. I had to go to the washroom and change pad every hour or two. It stopped and after two weeks, I had my period again. Help! Does anyone have the same situation? I'm in my 3rd day of period now. I want to know if anyone has the same scenario as mine, and i would like to know as well if this is normal. I was not able to get my doctor because I'm now back to work and she was doing operation in other places and hospital.
Helpful - 0
1698583 tn?1306840583
I Recently found out I got pregnant naturally (I was waiting to start IVF). I was shocked and excited. My HCg and progesterone was perfect, becuase of previous loss I began to get caught up in the worry of losing my baby and stressing over the what if's. My pregnacy symptoms kept me in a comfort zone. I went to the ER (at 5 weeks) because of lower back discomfort (UTI). The ER dr. done an ultrasound and could not locate the baby, he said I may just be too early but I was hoping they could have atleast seen the sac in my uterus. I was told to follow up with my ob so I went the next day, they done another US and again said they can't locate the baby in my uterus. She then said we need to give a Methotrexsate shot because I could be in trouble soon. I refused because first of all my numbers were good and I had no pain. I waited a few days and then proceeded to get a second opinion, about 3 days later again not able to locate the baby I was sent to the ER to make provisions to remove the tube and baby. I requested the tube be removed because I did not want to ever have to re-visit having a perfectly normal viable baby that was just in the wrong spot.  During surgery the dr check my left tube which was very normal and patent. I said that is my chance so I was ok with having the right tube out. I am older 42 so my time is ticking. After surgery about 3 days later I starte cramping and heavy bleeding, very tender on the right side. I still have some pregnancy symptoms.
I am now almost three weeks post op and look forward to my next pregnancy journey real soon.  The hardest part was knowing my baby was alive when he had to go, I struggle with that daily (very tearful). Dr. said I can try again as soon as possible.
everyone goes through it different give yourself time to heal emotionally and physically. I am just ready to have my baby with my husband and I know in my heart it will soon come to be so.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Women's Health Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.