Women of childbearing age may sometimes encounter this situation. One day your period comes, but not for real. And then the doubt appears, and it comes on strong. What is happening? Could I be sick? Or could I be pregnant? A one-day period is truly a mystery for those who don’t want to get pregnant, or those who are anxiously waiting for it. In fact, just like all other bleeding, a one-day period should be considered menstruation until proven otherwise. Don’t have high expectations or think of it as something terrifying, even without other symptoms.
Of course, bleeding for just one day with a minimal flow is suspicious. You quickly think that something is wrong. However, the key is to wait a little to see if your flow will come as usual. In the vast majority of cases, it comes down after a few days. This is the famous sign that your period is on its way. Sometimes it shows up and needs a few more days before a full flow comes. This can be explained by the drop in progesterone in the body1. Then the endometrium breaks down and is eliminated, which is menstruation. For some women this drop happens gradually. That’s why there might be some spotting before the actual flow comes.
If this one-day bleeding happens and then stops completely, it is recommended that the woman check what’s going on. Check if it’s likely to be spotting or even implantation bleeding. In most cases, it is a temporary hormonal change, much like the one that causes menstrual spotting. It’s also possible to have coffee grounds period for just one day. This, in turn, is very common for some women who experience changes in progesterone levels or who take oral or injectable contraceptives. At the start of the cycle, a woman may have a few days of dark spotting before her period comes. After normal blood flow, they may also have this dark bleeding. This isn’t a sign to worry about, but if there’s a strong odor, it is best to see a doctor2.
One-day menstruation: now what, am I pregnant?
Not always. In fact, in the vast majority of cases, no. But there is the possibility of implantation bleeding3. Remember that this kind of bleeding is the exception, not the rule. It’s important to highlight that most women may have spotting or a one-day period for hormonal reasons. These are very common and harmless for women. It’s also possible that some medication can interfere with hormones, causing this light spotting. So, if you take birth control and missed a day (or a few), took antibiotics, or get injections, some spotting may happen. Implantation bleeding, in turn, should not have any real volume. At most, it’s a brief smudge that lasts, in some cases, about 3 days.
What confuses many women is the possibility of being pregnant if there is light bleeding that is very different from their normal flow. In fact, what many women trying to conceive often talk about is pinkish bleeding for just one day. A drop, a streak that doesn’t even require a pad. Is this implantation? In the vast majority of cases, it’s not. However, since nothing is impossible in this world, it’s recommended to wait a few days before taking a test. If your period comes as usual, even if it doesn’t last as long but there is flow, it is still your period. It may have less flow because the endometrium formed less blood that cycle. If it doesn’t show up, it’s advisable to take a pregnancy test after about 5 days of missed period. The best tests are the ones with a sensitivity of 10mIU, like Famivita’s tests.
Finally, remember that if you have some light bleeding during the cycle, at some point in the middle of the cycle, this could also be ovulation bleeding. It’s better to wait for a missed period, then take a test. Also, let me remind you that pregnant women do not menstruate; they may have bleeding that can be risky for the pregnancy. If your flow is strange, if you have a one-day period that’s different from normal, then wait and do a test. If it’s negative, wait a few more days to see if your period arrives. If it still doesn’t come, repeat the test. If it still comes back negative, talk to your gynecologist to see what can be done. Make your doctor your best friend!
Important tip: Women trying to conceive now have several options to help reach a positive result more easily. Famivita has products that can help a lot during this phase! Check out their product line here. See also: Lower Abdominal Pain: Could it Be Pregnancy?
