Bleeding after miscarriage normally lasts for up to two weeks. If bleeding persists or it is unusually heavy, it can be a sign that there is a problem. Treatment for bleeding after having a miscarriage involves an examination to determine what is causing the persistent or recurring bleeding, followed by treatment to resolve the issue. Women should not be afraid to call a gynecologist or women's health provider if they have been bleeding for less than two weeks but they are experiencing symptoms which suggest complications, such as a smelly vaginal discharge, a fever, or extreme pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen.
Miscarriages involve the loss of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks. An estimated 15% of recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage, and up to 50% of unrecognized pregnancies end in miscarriage. There are numerous reasons for a miscarriage to occur, and women should not blame themselves if they experience one. Many women who experience a miscarriage go on to carry a healthy pregnancy to term later.
If a patient presents with prolonged bleeding after miscarriage, a doctor may recommend a blood test to check HCG levels. If HCG levels are elevated, it may mean that the woman has a molar pregnancy, or that there is still fetal or placental tissue in the uterus. An ultrasound can be used to check for signs of material which should not be present in the uterus, and a gynecologist can also perform a colposcopy.
The most common reason for bleeding after miscarriage is unexpelled material. The treatment for this is a dilation and curettage (D & C) to remove the unexpelled tissue from the uterus; this procedure can also be used to treat a molar pregnancy. D & C procedures are commonly performed under general anesthesia to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. Women who had a D & C at the time of a miscarriage should be aware that sometimes material can be left behind even by the most attentive surgeon, and the procedure may need to be repeated.
If there does not appear to be any unexpelled material in the uterus, the patient's prolonged bleeding may be the result of hormone imbalances, which can be checked with blood work. Hormones will eventually stabilize, and the bleeding will resolve on its own. Women who have a history of irregular menstrual periods may also find that they experience prolonged or recurrent bleeding after miscarriage while their bodies recover. Women who intend to try for another pregnancy should consult their doctors about when it is safe to try again.