Menstruation after surgery for ectopic pregnancy

[Lisadengel]

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.

[liz1002]

i had an ectopic prgnancy just over three weeks ago and had my right tube removed, i started spotting today, very bright red and i have been very worried, i have spoke to my gp and she says that it is normal to pass blood not long after sugery, to give it time although if it gets to painful or lasts alot longer than your normal period then to give her a call back. also....has anyone been feeling really down since the op? im 20 and me and my partner had been trying for a year...we are both still very upset....

[Snoopie]

I had an ectopic pregnancy one week ago. My left tube was removed and I was told that massive scarring was removed and my right tube is scarred shut on both ends. How devastating. I'm only 27. I've been bleeding bright red blood since the surgery, but my doctor is regularly inaccessible and his staff are not the nicest people in the world. When should I expect the bleeding to stop and what's it like to have a period with no working tubes?
Thanks
Tiff

[danni121]

hi
I have just had an ectopic pregnacy in which my left tube has been removed, via laproscopy.   I ovulated 10 days after surgery and I think I am having my period today (28 days exactly after the surgery)
It is hurting more than usual though.
Im not sure what my point is - only that it is really reassuring to have a site like this and to know that you are not the only one to go through this
awful situation.  

[nadster]

I had a ectopic pregnancy as well and had a peace of my right tube removed.  The bleeding ended three days after surgery. and I am now just waiting for my first period to come.  I hope I do not feel the strong pain.  I used to get strong period cramps before and I hope they dont get worse than they use to be. I am soo scared cause I do not know what to expect and when to expect this period. I actually want it to come soon. so i will know that life is getting back to normal.  What a nightmare I tell you..

[gogohopeful]

I found I had a ectopic pregnancy on Apr 9 when I went for my ck up.  I was in shock because I was showing no symptoms until the sonagram.  So I had emergency Laproscopy and closed both of my tubes.  I go pregnant by ivf because of my endo.  It took a long time to get pregnant then to get it taken away was devatasting.  I am dealing and hoping b/c my doc said have good eggs.  I guess I needed a place to go where other women are feeling the same lost.  I am concerned about my bleeding. I thought I finished fri nite but then on sat it started heavy again. I am just wondering if that is normal after surgery.  Now i am just waiting for my period to begin so i can do the transfer.  

[jonah21]

I had my left tube removed by laperotomy 3 weeks ago. I can report that 3 weeks down the line things are getting much better although first thing in the morning, when everything has gone stiff, is excruciating. I too have just begun to get a strange period (old brown blood) but I am assuming this is normal, I understand the first period can be different. I wanted to point anyone who reads this site to a charity website that has been extremely helpful to me. There is also a helpline that you can ring to talk to a very informative and reassuring nurse, she was brilliant, as I'd been told very little about post-operative care by the hospital (e.g. walk about a bit, don't bathe with bath products because post-operative skin is sensitive, that sort of thing). It is www.ectopic.org.uk . I was recommended to this website by the hospital before I left, read the FAQs, they answered most questions that I had. Wishing you all a speedy recovery and good luck in the future.