Why am I still pregnant after taking Cytotec?

Question

Hi doctor,

I tried for an abortion one month ago. I did not bleed at all for a day, but I did pass small amounts of clotting blood. I went back and purchased another set of Cytotec, which includes six pills. I inserted four pills and swallowed two, but I am still experiencing the same results.

After taking the first set of pills, I had an ultrasound that indicated I am nine weeks pregnant. I took a pregnancy test, and it still says I am pregnant. I am feeling confused, stressed, and depressed at the moment. My question is: What could be causing me not to bleed frequently? Can my body become immune to the medication?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I am really sorry you are going through this. It is a heavy emotional and physical burden, and it makes sense that you feel stressed and confused. Let us clarify everything medically.

Misoprostol alone can be effective at nine weeks, but it is less effective than when used in conjunction with Mifepristone, and there are higher failure rates if the dose is incorrect, the timing is wrong, the pregnancy is further along, or the body did not respond strongly enough.

Your system does not become immune to Misoprostol. If it did not induce strong contractions, it likely means the dosing was incomplete or less effective, rather than immunity.

At nine weeks, most women experience more than just light spotting. If you are seeing only small clots, it suggests one of the following:

The pregnancy may still be ongoing.
There may be an incomplete abortion.
Rarely, it could indicate an ectopic pregnancy, which needs to be ruled out.

If you took a pregnancy test soon after using the pills, it can still show positive results because hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) can remain in the body for weeks. A positive test alone does not confirm an ongoing pregnancy; ultrasound results are what matter.

Since your ultrasound after the first set of pills still showed a nine-week pregnancy, that suggests the abortion was unsuccessful.

The safest steps to take right now are the following:

1. Get a repeat ultrasound immediately.

2. Check if the pregnancy is still viable.

3. Determine if there is a heartbeat.

4. Assess if any tissue remains.

If the pregnancy is ongoing, your options include a properly supervised repeat medical abortion or a surgical evacuation.

Please refrain from taking random doses on your own, as that increases the risk of heavy bleeding, infection, or incomplete abortion.

You should go to the hospital urgently if you experience the following symptoms:

Severe abdominal pain.
Heavy bleeding, soaking more than two pads per hour.
Fever.
Foul-smelling discharge.
Dizziness.

You are not immune to the medication. This situation is most likely an incomplete or failed medical abortion.

I also want to gently remind you that if you are feeling depressed and overwhelmed, that is important too. You should not have to carry this burden alone. You deserve proper medical care and support right now.

If you found this information helpful, I would greatly appreciate your feedback. Wishing you comfort and steady improvement ahead.

Thank you.