Desogestrel and bleeding after an abortion

[jammiedodgerfriday]

Just posting to see if anyone has been through something similar or has any advice.
I had an abortion at the end of March using pills sent to my home. With these pills I also got a pack of desogestrel as I’d been advised to take these for contraception once the abortion had taken place.
I’ve taken desogestrel before for almost 6 months about a year ago but came off them because I bled so irregularly and it became very frustrating. DH and I used condoms instead, and unfortunately one broke which led to me falling pregnant and having to make the difficult decision to have an abortion.
Anyway, the abortion was successful and the next day I started taking the Desogestrel. I bled for about 3 and half weeks after the abortion then nothing for almost 6 weeks.
However for the last 4 weeks I’ve been bleeding on and off every day! I’m not sure if this is down to the Desogestrel though or my body getting back to normal after the abortion. And how long should I leave it before considering calling my GP? I think all they will tell me is that this type of pill takes a while to settle in your body and to stick it out.
I’m also due my smear test but haven’t been able to book it yet because of the constant bleeding and this is adding to the anxiety as I hate to be late for them. Thank you in advance for any advice you may have.

You’re correct that it’s most likely your body responding to the contraception once the pregnancy hormones settled after the abortion. Is it spotting or full-on period like bleeding? You can ring your GP for advice though they will likely tell you to give it a bit longer to settle as this is a known side effect. Are there other contraceptives you want to consider besides the progesterone only pill?

Thank you for your reply.
It’s very light and tends to be slightly heavier in the morning and by bedtime there is barely anything there.
I think I will call my GP surgery tomorrow like you’ve suggested.
I am considering the copper coil so no hormones involved but I have to wait 3 months post abortion. Also my DH and I have discussed him getting a vasectomy.
I was on Rigevidon up until September 2022 then I came off it to conceive my DS but once he was born I was advised I was too old to go back on it. I was 38 when DS arrived, I’m 40 now.

The copper coil can also cause continuous spotting for a few months while your body adjusts, just so you’re aware the same thing may happen. It’s pretty common with most contraception, slightly less with the ones with oestrogen in - the combined pill and the Mirena coil.

If you and your DH are both certain you don’t want more children a vasectomy is a really great option, it’s extremely effective and safe and has the least side effects for both of you. My DH had one after I had an abortion as we realised we definitely didn’t want to have any more children and I was unwilling to take hormonal BC anymore as I had so many side effects and complications from it.

Yes, my friend has the copper coil and did say her periods were irregular for the first few months but now it’s settled down and she is really happy she got it.

Thats really good to know about your DH. We are both certain we don’t want any more children, we have our son and both have a DD each from previous relationships. I think a vasectomy is something we both have to start talk seriously about. Thank you for your very helpful advice.