Can you menstruate while pregnant? It’s a question on the minds of nine out of ten women trying to conceive. The implantation bleeding can confuse many women, who may think it is the start of their period. This leads to the common confusion among many women who say they had a period during pregnancy. Pregnant women do not menstruate! What may happen is a bleeding due to a partial shedding of the endometrium during pregnancy.
The bleeding that many experience at the beginning of pregnancy, even before a missed period or with only a small menstrual delay, is the famous implantation1. This implantation bleeding is much talked about and is often confused with a possible period. The key is to know how and when it happens to clarify that it is not menstruation, but rather bleeding from the endometrium due to the embryo attaching itself to the uterus. Confusing? Somewhat. So how can you learn to tell the difference between menstrual bleeding, implantation bleeding, or even a bleeding that could threaten the progression of pregnancy?
Can I be pregnant and menstruating? How to tell the difference?
Usually, the light bleeding that signals the arrival of a period can be very similar to the bleeding that occurs with implantation. To know if you’re menstruating or experiencing bleeding while pregnant, you need to observe the differences between them. The biggest differences are the amount of blood and the symptoms.
Hormonal symptoms (increase in progesterone after ovulation) are very similar to those of pregnancy. They can cause nausea, cramps, and dizziness, making it even more confusing. However, the amount of blood that leaves the vagina can give you the answer! Menstrual bleeding has a flow that implantation bleeding does not2. This flow fills a pad and sometimes contains pieces or clots. Menstrual blood is much redder, more vibrant, and can even be brown. If there is a significant amount, then pregnancy is ruled out.
Why don’t pregnant women menstruate?
Pregnant women do not menstruate because they need the endometrium for the baby to attach and grow healthy until the placenta forms3. If this endometrium is shed, there’s nowhere for the baby to stay for the pregnancy to continue. On the other hand, a woman may think she’s pregnant and menstruating due to low progesterone levels she may experience.
This hormonal deficiency can cause bleeding, as this hormone is responsible for the maintenance and development of the endometrium for the progression of pregnancy. If there is a lack of progesterone, the endometrium may be shed and the pregnancy may not continue.
Difference between implantation bleeding and menstruation
Another aspect that distinguishes implantation bleeding from a light period or its beginning is the color. Implantation bleeding is usually a lighter, watery, brownish or pinkish red. It’s just a little discharge that may last gently for two or three days and then stop.
Menstruation with a significant estrogen fluctuation can also present these characteristics, but the same rule for flow applies. If there is enough blood to fill a pad or leak onto your clothing, it’s not implantation bleeding. In case of low progesterone, hormone replacement medication is needed to prevent miscarriage. In such cases, pregnancy can only be detected with an HCG test, whether from the pharmacy or a blood test, a beta HCG. You can buy your Famivita pregnancy test here in our online store.
Bleeding with suspected pregnancy
Thicker, brownish blood can also be from implantation. This bleeding happens due to the excess of hormonal mucus in the woman’s cervix, just as it does at the beginning of a period because of estrogen. Therefore, caution and good judgment are best when guessing. Four questions to ask yourself when you are bleeding and unsure if you might be pregnant:
- Is the amount of blood heavy?
- Is the color lively and vibrant like normal blood?
- Is the flow as strong as usual, or only a little lighter?
- Are the symptoms as strong as they usually are?
If all the answers are yes, then it’s likely that you are actually menstruating. But this doesn’t provide 100% certainty that you are not pregnant. This method mainly helps to solve the mystery many women face: is the bleeding from a period or from implantation? So, can you menstruate while pregnant? No, the most that can happen is implantation bleeding or bleeding due to low progesterone. If in doubt, take a pregnancy test and see your doctor. Only get an ultrasound if your doctor recommends it.
Readers’ questions:
Is it possible for a pregnant woman to menstruate?
Despite all of these clarifications, many readers still have this doubt because of the number of stories from women who say they menstruated during pregnancy. And the answer is definitely NO! Pregnant women do not menstruate, since once the egg is fertilized, uterine shedding does not occur. Symptoms similar to those of menstruation during pregnancy are considered bleeding and it is important to seek medical attention urgently.
Can your period be late and you not be pregnant?
Yes, a late period is not only caused by pregnancy. It may be due to hormonal problems, illnesses affecting the female reproductive system, the use of certain medications, or even emotional problems.
Can you get pregnant after your period?
This is considered rare but yes, it can happen. It is more common for women with a shorter menstrual cycle, since in order for pregnancy to occur ovulation needs to take place soon after the bleeding stops.
See also: How to Take a Pregnancy Test? The Best Way to Avoid Mistakes
