Not every woman's pregnancy proceeds without complications. Some symptoms and sensations are confusing and make you doubt the existence of an interesting situation.
This controversial symptom includes menstruation during pregnancy. Some doctors claim that this is impossible, others suggest that bleeding during pregnancy is a pathology, and still others claim that this is nothing more than a physiological feature of a woman. In order to understand whether menstruation is possible during pregnancy, it is necessary to consider the causes of this condition and the nature of the discharge .
Do you have periods during pregnancy?
In medical practice, there are often cases when pregnancy is accompanied by menstruation. In fact, such discharge is not menstruation, since renewal of the endometrium of the uterus does not occur. With complete renewal of the endometrium, a spontaneous miscarriage would occur.
Bloody discharge during pregnancy is a serious pathology that can lead to the loss of a child or premature birth. Menstruation during pregnancy can be a normal physiological phenomenon only with late ovulation. When the egg is released from the follicle at the end of the menstrual cycle and immediately meets the sperm and becomes fertilized.
A fertilized egg can move through the fallopian tubes for several days and enter the uterine cavity at the end of menstruation, then pregnancy is possible, but only in 20% of cases, since the endometrium has not grown enough to implant the egg into the uterine wall. In this case, it is considered that conception has occurred, but menstruation will proceed as usual.
Since at such an early stage the hormones that stop the action of the ovaries and the renewal of the endometrium have not yet had time to grow to normal values. Bloody discharge during pregnancy occurs in multiple pregnancies, if one embryo develops with abnormalities incompatible with life. Then it is rejected from the body, which is accompanied by bloody discharge from the genital tract.
What does scanty bleeding mean?
Scanty bleeding from the genital tract indicates uterine bleeding , which can occur in a pregnant woman at any stage of pregnancy. In such a situation, you need to go to the hospital as soon as possible.
In a medical institution, the pregnant woman will be kept for preservation and prescribed medications that eliminate the tone of the uterus and herbal-based sedatives. Since it is stress, in most cases, that provokes uterine bleeding. In the early stages of pregnancy (5-6 weeks), discharge in the form of a couple of brown drops may be a normal physiological phenomenon or indicate a pathology of the cervix, which is beginning to prepare for pregnancy.
Scanty periods that arrive on time without delay can rarely indicate a developing pregnancy; most likely, a hormonal imbalance has occurred in the body and the endometrium has not had time to grow sufficiently before the onset of menstruation.
And the small thickness of the endometrium indicates scanty discharge during menstruation.
Why is discharge dangerous?
An expectant mother should be wary if she experiences signs of menstruation in the early stages of pregnancy. You need to know how to distinguish this discharge from normal menstruation. If the girl already knows for sure about pregnancy, then even minor bleeding should be noticed. If bleeding occurs, you must immediately seek help from a doctor so that the gynecologist can conduct a full examination and also determine whether there is a threat to the fetus.
If the test shows two lines, but bleeding has started, you should immediately go to the gynecologist. The thing is that regular periods can hide the presence of pregnancy outside the uterus, which is very dangerous for every woman.
If the bleeding is excessive and there is also abdominal pain, you should call an ambulance.
Causes of bleeding during pregnancy
Menstruation or bleeding during pregnancy may occur due to the following reasons:
- Lack of female hormones or progesterone.
- Insufficient production of the pregnant hormone hCG, which is necessary for the maintenance and development of pregnancy.
- Constant nervous tension and stress in a pregnant woman.
- Taking medications contraindicated during pregnancy that cause contraction of the uterine walls.
- Drinking alcohol, smoking, drugs.
- Pathological processes on the cervix. Extensive cervical erosion may bleed throughout pregnancy.
- Late ovulation and attachment of a fertilized egg after menstruation.
- The introduction of a fertilized egg into the wall of the uterus, followed by the separation of a small part of the endometrium, that is, implantation bleeding.
- Poor blood clotting and hematopoietic diseases.
- Problems with the uterus: tone and hypertonicity of the uterus.
- Fetal pathologies. A fetus with congenital anomalies and defects may not take root in the uterus and may be expelled from the body. If a woman has gone through several miscarriages in a row, it is necessary to consult with a geneticist and check the body for the presence of viruses and infections that can provoke mutations in the fetus.
Separately, it is necessary to highlight bleeding that is caused by an ectopic pregnancy. When the fetus for some reason did not enter the uterine cavity and became attached to the fallopian tube. The cause of this pathology is obstruction of the fallopian tubes or hormonal imbalance.
With an ectopic pregnancy, a discharge with streaks of blood occurs, which can be taken when menstruation begins. This misconception is very dangerous, since a fetus that is not extracted in time can grow and rupture the wall of the fallopian tube. As a result, the woman will lose one tube and her ability to conceive will decrease somewhat.
Blood during an ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fetus grows and the tube wall is damaged.
What needs to be done?
If a woman already knows about her interesting situation and the period is more than 6 weeks, then she needs to listen to her body and, in case of any deviations from the norm, consult a doctor or call an ambulance . If there is any bloody discharge from the genital tract, you must go to the hospital to find out whether there is a threat of miscarriage.
Modern medicine involves maintaining pregnancy in the early stages, unlike Soviet times, when they were unable to stop an incipient miscarriage and stop bleeding without harm to the fetus. Currently, a woman is admitted to an inpatient pregnancy pathology department for preservation, usually for 2-3 weeks, until doctors are convinced that the threat of miscarriage has passed.
In the hospital, the woman takes hormonal medications that increase the production of hormones necessary to maintain pregnancy. In most cases, the drug Duphaston is prescribed. In addition to hormonal therapy, pregnant women are given sedatives that are harmless to the fetus. Since stress and nervous exhaustion can cause repeated bleeding with irreversible consequences.
Are periods dangerous during pregnancy?
The normal course of pregnancy should not be accompanied by bleeding in any form.
- However, medicine allows for isolated cases when menstruation during pregnancy is a feature of a woman’s body. In all other cases, bleeding poses a danger to the development of the fetus.
- In the first weeks of pregnancy, menstruation indicates hormonal disorders and pathologies during conception. In the middle and end of the pregnant cycle - warn about complications of prenatal activity . Therefore, for any deviation from the norm, a medical examination is necessary.
How to distinguish uterine bleeding from normal menstruation?
It is very easy to distinguish normal menstruation from uterine bleeding during pregnancy. Monthly menstruation, which accompanies a woman from her youth, usually has the same character. Basically, menstruation is characterized by copious bloody, mucous discharge with a small amount of clots.
The average duration of menstruation is from 4 to 7 days. Bleeding during pregnancy is characterized by a meager amount, more reminiscent of spotting , which occurs at the very end of menstruation or at the beginning. The discharge is brown , without clots or mucus. Bleeding during pregnancy lasts one day, unlike normal menstruation, which lasts up to 7 days.
The most dangerous phenomenon is scarlet blood from the genital tract during pregnancy, since, in most cases, it indicates a spontaneous miscarriage or a serious threat of pregnancy.
If bleeding occurs during pregnancy after 7 weeks, the test should show a positive result. If bleeding is accompanied by a decrease in the pregnant hormone hCG, intrauterine fetal death or frozen pregnancy is possible.
How to distinguish menstruation from bleeding or miscarriage during pregnancy?
- Are there any differences between periods during pregnancy and bleeding or miscarriage? Regular menstruation should occur on time, last from 3 to 5 days and have a characteristic color of discharge.
- The harbingers of the onset of menstruation are brown discharge mixed with mucus for 1-2 days. Further, their intensity should increase, and the color should become brighter. Unusual spotting or, on the contrary, heavy bleeding are considered a deviation from the norm and require observation by a doctor.
- During a miscarriage, bleeding increases noticeably, clots and cramping pain . Excessive blood loss, accompanied by dizziness or loss of consciousness.
- If a miscarriage occurs early, it is less symptomatic and looks like menstruation with a heavier amount of discharge.
Severe pain appears
Signs of bleeding
Bloody discharge from the genital tract during pregnancy can be identified by the following signs:
- Poor amount of discharge. You may notice a couple of drops on your underwear.
- The color of the discharge ranges from dark orange to light brown.
- Discharge occurs after nervous stress or physical exertion.
- The discharge is different from normal menstruation, which is typical for a pregnant woman. It all depends on the woman’s physiology; some have heavy periods, some have scanty ones. The difference should be sought in each specific case.
- Drawing pain in the lower abdomen.
- Uterine tone, tense abdomen.
Warning signs
Menstruation during early pregnancy is a reason for an extraordinary visit to the gynecologist. Particular concern is caused by discharge that has an unpleasant odor, contains clots, and is darker or lighter than during normal menstruation. If your period begins during pregnancy in the early stages, you should immediately seek medical help if, in addition to discharge, you notice:
- aching, cutting or cramping pain in the lower abdomen;
- severe nausea, vomiting;
- increased blood pressure;
- convulsions;
- pathological pallor;
- anemia;
- loss of consciousness.
Menstruation during pregnancy - what are they?
Menstruation during pregnancy is characterized by scanty discharge without any admixture of clots and mucus. The color ranges from dark orange to brown. If women experienced severe pain during normal menstruation, bleeding during pregnancy is almost painless. Blood flows from the genital tract for a short time (up to 10 minutes).
If the bleeding continues for a long time, we are talking about uterine bleeding, which is dangerous for the life of the expectant mother and the fetus. In such a situation, you must immediately consult a doctor or call an ambulance. Medical professionals will prescribe hemostatic drugs and eliminate the tone of the uterus, which provokes its contractions and bleeding.
Early bleeding
Brown discharge from the blood tract in the very early stages of pregnancy (even before a delay or during the expected period) may be implantation bleeding . When a fertilized egg descends into the uterus and implants into its wall, a small part of the endometrium moves away and is released through the genital tract.
Many women do not notice such discharge, as it is very scanty and light brown. In some women, implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall occurs without bleeding. Bloody discharge for more than 7 weeks already poses a threat to the fetus, as it indicates a lack of female hormones estrogen and hCG, which stop the functioning of the ovaries and stop the process of renewal of the endometrium in the uterus (menstruation).
In this case, the fertilized egg will be released along with your period, which means a spontaneous miscarriage .
Some women with an unstable menstrual cycle may not be aware of a developing pregnancy and miscarriage may be mistaken for an ordinary period that came with a slight delay.
Scanty periods during early pregnancy - signs of how to distinguish
January 29, 2020 at 2:44 am Category: Menstruation Author: Dmitry
Many women are convinced of successful conception using tests, but one of the main signs is the absence of menstruation. At the same time, doctors note that patients often become registered only in the third or fourth month after fertilization. This happens for the following reason - a woman notices the presence of menstruation during early pregnancy, which is confusing.
It should be noted that menstruation during pregnancy, for a completely healthy female body, is impossible for physiological reasons , since during the menstrual cycle the unfertilized egg is detached and a new one is produced.
During pregnancy, intrauterine processes occur differently: the ovaries secrete progesterone, due to which the walls of the uterus stop contracting and the fertilized egg remains inside. Over time, the endometrium thickens, which creates favorable conditions for the fetus.
- ectopic pregnancy;
- uterine fibroids or a disorder of its structure;
- inflammation occurring in the genitals;
- in case of multiple pregnancy – death of one of the embryos;
- significant deterioration of hormonal levels;
- threat of miscarriage.
- reduction of acceptable temperature during the period of complete rest of the body;
- a feeling of weak or pronounced heaviness in the lower abdomen, which is associated with spasms of the uterus during implantation of the egg;
- scanty discharge mixed with blood, brown or pinkish in color;
- general feeling of weakness, dizziness, drowsiness.
The cause of hormonal imbalance and bleeding is often an excess of male hormone in the body. The main sign of hormonal changes is constant and sudden mood changes.
It is necessary to make an appointment with a doctor who will prescribe medications that stabilize the amount of hormones, due to which the process of embryo development will be adjusted. In addition to taking prescribed medications, it is important to avoid stressful situations, normalize rest, create a balanced diet and choose an individual vitamin complex.
It is important to remember that problems with hormonal levels lead to miscarriages, premature births and the development of various diseases.
In pregnant women, during the period of bearing a child, the thyroid gland increases in size due to increased production of hormones. After childbirth, problems in the functioning of the endocrine system appear, so it is important to undergo an examination by a qualified specialist and pass the necessary tests.
During the period of bearing a child, after intimate intimacy, blood discharge may appear - this indicates a violation of the integrity of the vessels of the vaginal surface. Often, blood is a consequence of damage to the cervix as a result of an uncomfortable position during intimacy or rough and abrupt penetration.
When blood appears, it is recommended to use a pad to have an idea of the amount of discharge, since this information will be important for the doctor monitoring the progress of the pregnancy.
If the described symptom occurs frequently, you should be examined by a gynecologist and, if there is a chance of miscarriage, stop having sexual intercourse with your husband so as not to harm the child.
Pregnant women often notice the appearance of blood some time after an examination by a gynecologist. This phenomenon, apart from cases of prolonged and strong discharge, does not pose a danger to the body of the pregnant woman and the embryo.
Menstruation during early pregnancy can result from the development of two eggs in one cycle. This often happens after taking drugs that stimulate the ovulation process, or in women whose family has had multiple pregnancies.
Two eggs do not always come into contact with sperm, as a result of which one of them remains in the uterus and continues to develop further, while the second is released, which leads to the appearance of menstruation.
The discharge is not abundant, but can occur with symptoms inherent in normal menstruation. Experts note that in most cases this condition occurs without any complications.
Does a negative test always mean no pregnancy?
The female body is structured in a very complex way; pregnancy should not be ruled out even when menstruation has begun. If conception occurred at the end of the menstrual cycle with late ovulation , then during menstruation the egg will still travel through the fallopian tubes and the renewal of the endometrium will not harm it in any way.
With late ovulation, the test will show a positive result only two or three weeks after the expected conception, that is, you need to wait one week after your period. If you take a test during your period, it will show a negative result, since the fertilized egg has not yet had time to attach to the wall of the uterus.
If during bleeding the test shows a positive result, you must call an ambulance and go to the hospital, as there is a risk of miscarriage.
Presence of an ectopic pregnancy
When the egg rises through the tube after fertilization, it may become embedded in the wrong place. More rarely, attachment occurs near the ovary, in the uterine cervix, in the abdominal cavity, which leads to the subsequent development of bleeding of varying strength. At the same time, it is not easy to determine whether these are signs of pregnancy or menstruation. This process is accompanied by nagging painful sensations and a bloody brown smear - signs of the onset of rejection and miscarriage.
Ectopic pregnancy
At the same time, the lower abdomen aches and hurts, contractions and the release of bloody formations, both spotting, brownish, and copious with ichor, are possible. Signs of a threatened miscarriage may depend on injuries in the abdominal and lumbar regions. When breastfeeding a baby, fertilization can occur without menstruation. The first egg released will be fertilized immediately. In this case, a discharge containing blood appears, similar to menstruation.
