After an abortion, your body needs time to heal—but knowing what’s normal and what isn’t can make all the difference in protecting your health.
Infections following abortion are a serious risk, and they don’t always announce themselves clearly. Because many women are not monitored by a provider in the days after an abortion, it falls to you to recognize when something may be wrong and act quickly.
Whether you have had a medical abortion (using pills) or a surgical abortion, understanding these warning signs can help you get the care you need before a complication becomes life-threatening.
If you suspect complications, seek immediate medical care. However, in a non-emergency situation, you can also schedule a no-cost appointment to gather more information and get questions answered.
Warning Signs of a Post-Abortion Infection
1. Heavy or Prolonged Bleeding
Some bleeding after an abortion is expected, but there are clear thresholds that signal a problem. If you are soaking through more than two pads per hour following a medical abortion, or more than one pad per hour after a surgical abortion, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Bleeding that continues to worsen rather than taper off over the days following the procedure is also a cause for concern.
2. Fever
A fever is one of your body’s clearest signals that something is wrong. After a medical abortion, notify your doctor right away if a fever appears after taking misoprostol, or if you have a fever that lasts more than 24 hours. After a surgical abortion, any fever should be reported to your provider promptly. Do not wait to see if it resolves on its own.
3. Foul-Smelling Vaginal Discharge
Discharge following an abortion is normal, but a foul or unusual odor is not. If you notice that vaginal discharge has developed a bad smell—whether after a medical or surgical abortion—this can be an early sign of infection that should not be ignored. Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
4. Severe Cramping or Pelvic Pain
Mild to moderate cramping is an expected part of recovery after an abortion. However, severe abdominal or back pain that worsens rather than improves, or cramping that continues beyond 48 hours after a surgical abortion, may indicate that pregnancy tissue has been retained in the uterus or that an infection is developing. Either situation requires prompt medical evaluation.
Why Prompt Treatment Matters
Infections after abortion often develop when pregnancy tissue is not fully expelled—a condition called an incomplete abortion. Left untreated, the infection can spread rapidly and lead to serious, potentially life-threatening complications.
These complications can include:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs.
- Ectopic pregnancy risk due to scar tissue buildup in the fallopian tubes.
- Infertility, as scarring can prevent a fertilized egg from properly implanting.
- Hemorrhage, which requires emergency medical treatment.
- Sepsis is a widespread infection that can quickly become life-threatening.
If you experience any of the warning signs above, do not wait. Seek medical attention right away.
We’re Here to Help
Whether you are currently pregnant and trying to understand your options, or you have already had an abortion and have concerns about your recovery, Palm Beach Women’s Clinic is here for you.
We offer no-cost, confidential pregnancy services—including lab-quality pregnancy tests and ultrasound scans—to help you get the information you need.
Our caring staff can answer your questions, discuss your options, and connect you with the right resources.
If you have had an abortion and are struggling emotionally, we also offer post-abortion support to help you take steps toward healing.
Contact us today to schedule your no-cost, confidential appointment.
Palm Beach Women’s Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.