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What Causes Delay In Menstrual Bleeding Post A D&C Procedure?

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Posted on Tue, 12 Jul 2016
Question: Hi doc,

I had D&C exactly 4 weeks ago and last night I had intercourse for the first time after D&C with my husband, one with condom and the second he just slide it in a few times, but since we're not ready to have another baby, we decided not to do it. My concern is, I haven't got my period since my D&C, and how likely it is for me to become pregnant since I heard we're really fertile after D&C? I'm really not ready for the second one.

And my second question is that I had severe cramps after intercourse that I need to took a painkiller. Is that normal ?

Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Chances of pregnancy not likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.

I have gone through your query and here are your answers:

1. It is true that ovulation can occur without any period after delivery, an abortion or a dilatation and curettage. This way, you have some chance of conception even with the pre-ejaculate, if you ovulated at the time. To confirm if this act caused conception, you can go for the assessment of the serum beta-hCG titres 10-12 days later. Further management depends on the result. However, it is very unlikely that this would happen.

2. The hormone oxytocin released during the sexual act can cause uterine cramping. Yet, severe cramping is unusual. Ruptured ovarian cysts, tubal motility, urethral spasms etc. are the other possible causes of this type of pain. They can be detected on a local examination, trans-vaginal sonogram and urinalysis.

Hope your query has been answered. Please feel free to contact for further clarifications. I will be happy to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (38 minutes later)
Thank you for your answer doc. I really hope I didn't conceive.
However, I had white and clear thick vaginal discharge exactly one week ago. I never had it that much before, and I continue to have it for a few days until it was gone just 3 days ago. Can I assume that's when I ovulate?
And regarding the pain after sex, should I be worry? Because I never had it before my D&C, is it possible that the procedure makes me having all this possible things could happen to me?
Note : I've been feeling bloated since the muccus.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing back.

Ovulation is associated with profuse, thin discharge in order to facilitate sperm movement into the uterus. Thick vaginal discharge is seen during the pre-ovulatory phase. Thus, you could not have ovulated while you had this discharge. You can also take an ovulation test, but, please remember that the test only detects the LH surge that occurs 12-30 hours prior to ovulation.

Pain can be attributed to the procedure you had. The instrumentation during the procedure can make the first intercourse somewhat painful. This settles in course of time as the tissues heal. If the pain recurs, you need an assessment.

Bloating can be a result of either excess estrogen or progesterone and cannot be a clear indicator of pregnancy.

Hope your query has been clarified. Please get back if you need more help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (1 hour later)
Hello doc,

I just did an ovulation test and it showed very faint negative. Could it be that I ovulated yesterday? I'm so paranoid.and I was suggested to take primolut to have my period faster, heard it will raising my hormones, and heard sperm can stay inside for a few days. I want to take tomorrow it but afraid that the primolut makes me fertile (due to the hormones raising) and causing pregnancy from the leftover sperm inside (if there's any)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Primolut cannot help induce a pregnancy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for posting your queries.

A positive ovulation test suggests a rise in LH that happens prior to ovulation. The positive test does not indicate ovulation. Ovulation can happen anytime between 12-36 hours after the LH surge. The ovum lives for a maximum of 24 hours.

Primolut can induce a period by adding up the progesterone and causing a withdrawal bleeding. This does not induce pregnancy. It is true that sperms can live for 3-5 days in an active state. It is ovulation that causes conception and not the presence of the hormones alone. Please remember that oral contraceptives are hormones meant to arrest ovulation or prevent conception.

You can expect withdrawal bleeding 3-7 days after completion of the hormone treatment. As you are not sure of ovulation, you can also take Duphaston instead of Primolut. You will see the bleeding if conception has not occurred. Moreover, Duphaston is safer.

Hope this helps.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (1 hour later)
one more question for now, is it true that I'm become a lot more fertile after d&c ? I'm really not ready to be pregnant again.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not necessarily.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

It is not necessarily true that the fertility rates improve after a dilatation and curettage. However, such association has been observed when treating cases of infertility with infrequent or absent ovulation. The exact cause is unknown. It is possible that the stimulation of the endometrium acts as a kickback to the ovaries to strike rhythm. You need not worry about conception in the current scenario. If you do not wish to conceive now, please adopt a proper contraceptive method.

Hope this helps.

Wish you good health.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shanti Vennam

OBGYN

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 7667 Questions

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What Causes Delay In Menstrual Bleeding Post A D&C Procedure?

Brief Answer: Chances of pregnancy not likely. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for trusting us with your health concern. I have gone through your query and here are your answers: 1. It is true that ovulation can occur without any period after delivery, an abortion or a dilatation and curettage. This way, you have some chance of conception even with the pre-ejaculate, if you ovulated at the time. To confirm if this act caused conception, you can go for the assessment of the serum beta-hCG titres 10-12 days later. Further management depends on the result. However, it is very unlikely that this would happen. 2. The hormone oxytocin released during the sexual act can cause uterine cramping. Yet, severe cramping is unusual. Ruptured ovarian cysts, tubal motility, urethral spasms etc. are the other possible causes of this type of pain. They can be detected on a local examination, trans-vaginal sonogram and urinalysis. Hope your query has been answered. Please feel free to contact for further clarifications. I will be happy to help. regards, Shanti.V.