When does menstruation begin during an ectopic pregnancy: does it happen or not, is it early, will there be a delay

Pregnancy for every woman is a real miracle, which is carefully protected and cherished. Unfortunately, the news that a new life has been born in the womb does not always bring joy. We are talking about ectopic pregnancy - a pathology that requires timely assistance from qualified specialists. A woman should know whether she has periods during an ectopic pregnancy, because they are one of the main signs of pathology. You should also know whether or not there are ways to successfully resolve this situation. Today, doctors do everything to preserve a woman’s reproductive health, diagnose pathology in a timely manner and eliminate it.

Ectopic pregnancy - what is it, symptoms and consequences

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg was implanted not in the uterus, but outside its cavity. It could attach to the cervix, fallopian tube, ovaries, or abdominal cavity. During the development of the pathological process, it is impossible to save the fetus, and a successful pregnancy outcome is completely excluded. Doctors do everything to preserve a woman’s reproductive health, since the embryo, developing outside the uterine cavity, will stretch the inelastic tissues of the area where it was attached, which will inevitably lead to their rupture.

A specialist can determine the pathology during an examination, but a woman should also be attentive to her health.

She is the first to notice alarming symptoms, so there is no point in delaying a visit to the hospital, as serious consequences may arise. Experts have identified the main signs of ectopic pregnancy:

pain localized in the lower abdomen. The pain radiates to the direction where the fertilized egg was implanted; there are also discomfort and painful sensations in the rectum;
paleness of the skin;
dizziness;
nausea;
tachycardia;
increased body temperature;
loss of consciousness;
severe uterine bleeding, some people mistake it for menstruation;
the appearance of a second line on a pregnancy test. It may be pale and barely visible, but this should be a reason to see a doctor.

These symptoms are accompanied by natural signs of pregnancy for every woman. Taste preferences change, mammary glands swell, nipples darken. There is a suspicion of pregnancy. To confirm this diagnosis, you should consult a specialist. Using an ultrasound, the doctor will detect a pregnancy developing outside the uterine cavity. It is successfully diagnosed already at 4-5 weeks. For this, a transvaginal sensor is used.

Menstruation during an ectopic pregnancy is theoretically impossible, since the body goes through all the stages that occur during normal fertilization and fetal development. The cycle stops - there is no menstruation. If the egg was fertilized by the end of the cycle, and the fertilized egg was fixed outside the uterine cavity, then menstruation is possible.

A woman who has been diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy must be prepared for the fact that the fetus cannot be saved, since the only place for its normal development is the uterus.

In addition to the loss of the unborn fetus, there are other possible complications that negatively affect a woman’s reproductive health. Pathology can cause:

Infertility.
Inflammatory process.
Peritonitis.
Internal bleeding.
Lethal outcome.

Of course, every woman wants to keep the child, but in this case it is impossible. In order to protect herself, she should know everything about the symptoms and nature of an ectopic pregnancy.

What are the prognosis if menstruation does not occur during an ectopic pregnancy?

The absence of atypical discharge does not guarantee a successful gestation period. Blood on underwear is far from the only and completely optional sign of a dangerous pathology.

It is impossible to independently determine the incorrect attachment of the fertilized egg, so immediately after the test reveals an interesting position, you need to go to a consultation and register.

In the early stages of ectopic pregnancy, when treatment is the easiest and most gentle, suspicious symptoms can only be identified by a specialist. If the pathology is discovered late, sometimes getting rid of it involves removing an organ or part of an organ - the site of implantation of the fertilized egg.

Whether there are periods during an ectopic pregnancy or not - this moment does not affect its prognosis in any way. Discharge mixed with blood is one of the most noticeable and obvious signs that allows one to recognize pathology, but their presence or absence does not change the situation - it is impossible to carry a child outside the walls of the uterus.

In any case, in the absence of surgical intervention during the first trimester (maximum after 11-12 weeks), organ rupture will occur with massive internal bleeding and a high chance of death.

Situations when menstruation occurs during an ectopic pregnancy are common. This is not the norm, but an alarming signal that allows you to suspect something is wrong and consult a doctor in time. Don’t put off your visit to specialists; the clock may already be counting.

Author: Natalia Roy, especially for Mama66.ru

https://youtu.be/TCo3hI85WoM

What to pay attention to

Not all women can independently diagnose an ectopic pregnancy. The main thing that should serve as an alarming signal is deterioration in well-being. The pathology is accompanied by those signs that are characteristic of a normal pregnancy, but other symptoms are also added.

You should consult a doctor immediately if you experience:

Bloody discharge - they clearly indicate that a pathological process is developing in the body. If the pregnancy proceeds normally, then they are not present.
Acute painful attacks in the lower abdomen. As the ectopic pregnancy progresses, they only intensify.
Disturbances in the process of urination and defecation.
Feverish condition.
Loss of performance, weakening of the body.
General deterioration of condition.

It should be understood that as the fertilized egg develops outside the uterine cavity, the woman’s condition worsens. If the fallopian tube ruptures, where it most often develops, death can occur if the bleeding is not stopped in time and first aid is not provided.

Experts note that if you have such symptoms, you should not take painkillers. They will relieve pain, complicating the course of the pathology.

A pregnancy test may be negative; if the condition worsens, you should immediately consult a specialist.

After laparoscopy

The consequences after an ectopic pregnancy are different. From mild to serious and already irreparable.

inability to have children in the future - infertility;
inflammation of the female genital organs;
peritonitis;
internal constant bleeding;
lethal outcome.

If the operation to remove an ectopic pregnancy was successful and did not affect the woman’s body in any way, then the normal menstrual cycle will begin in the coming months.

Period or not?

The danger of developing pathology is that in the early stages it is completely asymptomatic. A woman may notice that she has become irritable and has morning sickness, but not everyone associates these symptoms with pregnancy.

Meanwhile, the body has already received a signal about conception, but there is still no understanding that the embryo is developing incorrectly. There is an opinion that ectopic pregnancy and menstruation are two opposite concepts. There is a signal in the body that the fertilized egg is fixed and it does not matter where exactly. Because of this, the endometrium, the inner layer of the uterus, is not rejected; on the contrary, it begins to strengthen, as in a normal pregnancy, so menstruation does not begin.

The body goes through all stages of conception and gestation, even if the fertilized egg is attached outside the uterine cavity. Increased production of the hormone progesterone also begins, which is responsible for maintaining the body during this period and inhibiting the menstrual cycle. This clinical picture is not possible in all cases; sometimes menstruation during an ectopic pregnancy is possible.

When is menstruation possible?

Menstruation is possible in the early stages of pregnancy, when fertilization occurs during the completion of the cycle. If the egg does not attach to the fallopian tube, cervix or other area outside the organ itself, then the body does not have time to receive a signal that conception has occurred, which is why menstruation occurs.

The egg, meeting the sperm, does not immediately attach to the uterine wall or, in the case of pathology, outside its area. This process may take 5-7 days. Therefore, many women are not aware of their new situation. To protect yourself, you need to know whether menstruation can occur in the event of an ectopic pregnancy, the nature of the development of the pathology, and its symptoms. This will allow you to contact a doctor in a timely manner and receive the required help.

When is it “false menstruation” - the reasons for the appearance and nature of the discharge

Discharges called “false menstruation” can be observed, they can have nothing to do with menstruation and arise as a result of rupture of the internal tissue of the organ to which the fertilized egg is attached and where it develops. Only the uterus is suitable for bearing a fetus; its inner layer is elastic, it does not rupture, like other organs not intended for this.

“Pseudomenstruation” is the first and important sign of the development of pathology. As soon as a woman notices it, she should immediately consult a doctor.

The nature of the discharge differs from normal; you should consider its color and consistency. Such “false periods” last longer than usual, they are quite abundant. They have a very dark color - this is explained by the fact that the tissue and vessels of the fallopian tube or other organ in which the fertilized egg develops are torn. The discharge is also quite thick, which should also alert the woman. Their duration is explained by the fact that a large network of blood vessels is located outside the uterine cavity.

Experts have identified the main reasons for the appearance of such discharge:

If a fertilized egg is attached to the cervix, then discharge occurs due to bleeding of a large number of vessels located in this place.
Heavy discharge may indicate that the fallopian tube has ruptured under the pressure of the fertilized egg. Bleeding occurs instantly, and the discharge is very dark in color. The woman needs surgery.
Discharge can be caused by rupture of the fertilized egg and its release to the outside. In this case they are dark brown in color. The release of the fertilized egg is accompanied by severe cramps and pain in the abdomen. To completely eliminate the pathology, curettage is performed.
The fertilized egg can be rejected by the body on its own. This process is considered the safest for women. Bleeding may appear a little later and be accompanied by severe pain.

What is pregnancy outside the uterus, and can menstruation occur with a gynecological abnormality?

Pregnancy outside the uterus is a pathological complication that is characterized by the fixation of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity.

Depending on the location of the fertilized egg, ectopic pregnancy is distinguished:

pipe;
cervical;
abdominal;
ovarian

Full development and bearing of a child is possible only in the uterine cavity. In other cases, the outcome of pregnancy is predetermined - it is impossible to carry and save the child. In other words, if implanted outside the uterus, the woman will lose the baby. But this is not the only danger. A gynecological abnormality can lead to female infertility (sterility), and in some cases, pregnancy outside the uterus can be life-threatening. Taking into account all the dangerous consequences of the pathological process, it is important to promptly recognize the danger and take measures to eliminate it. This is probably why women are interested in whether there can be critical days with an anomaly?

From the first days of conception, certain changes begin to occur in the female body, and, first of all, this concerns hormonal levels. During this period, progesterone begins to be actively produced, which is very important for the normal course of pregnancy, so the onset of menstruation is impossible. But in the early stages of pregnancy, women often experience bleeding from the vagina. Such symptoms cannot be called menstrual symptoms, but they may be a sign of gynecological pathology.

The main cause of bleeding during an ectopic pregnancy is rupture of the tissue of the organ in which the fertilized egg is implanted.

But spotting is not always a sign of pathology. In most cases, women experience bleeding during the implantation period of pregnancy. But this phenomenon cannot be called bleeding, since the amount of such discharge is insignificant; they are also called “daubs”. Also, such symptoms may be absent during the period of implantation of the fertilized egg.

What to do?

At the first signs of deterioration, a woman should consult a doctor. To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must donate blood for hCG and undergo an ultrasound. This will allow you to diagnose the development of pathology. It is impossible to maintain the pregnancy; the doctor will put the woman’s reproductive health first.

If the pathology is diagnosed early, surgery may not be necessary. The necessary medications are prescribed, which will provoke the rupture of the fertilized egg and its release. This is the safest for a woman. If this is not possible, an operation is performed. Today, there are known cases of successful transplantation of a fertilized egg into the uterine cavity, but this practice is not common and poses a serious threat to the life of the woman and the fetus itself.

Ectopic pregnancy is a pathology that threatens the life and health of a woman. It must be promptly diagnosed and eliminated. A woman should be attentive to her health and, when the first alarming symptoms appear, seek qualified help so as not to harm herself.

Do menstruation occur during an ectopic pregnancy: the nature of the discharge

So, it turned out that during an ectopic pregnancy, menstruation can occur - more precisely, discharge, which can be mistaken for menstruation.

How to recognize an alarming symptom? And what can cause such bleeding? Every woman should know about this - no one is immune from the occurrence of pathology.

There are a number of reasons why menstruation may occur during an ectopic pregnancy:

Independent rejection of the fertilized egg is the most successful option for the development of pathology, characterized by scanty discharge and nagging pain in the lower abdomen, which can radiate to the rectum.
Implantation of a fertilized egg into the cervical part of the uterus - this segment of the organ is penetrated by a huge number of blood vessels that are damaged during the implantation of the fertilized egg, usually provoking heavy bleeding, which sometimes in itself poses a threat to the woman’s life and simply cannot go unnoticed.
Rupture of the fallopian tube - such bleeding, in the absence of timely treatment, is guaranteed to occur by the end of the first trimester or earlier, with a tubal ectopic pregnancy; the pathology is accompanied by increasing sharp pain and discharge. At this point, the clock is ticking, and the woman needs emergency medical care.
Stretching and rupture of tissues of an organ not intended for bearing a child - discharge in this case is easy to distinguish from regular menstruation. They occur at uncharacteristic times and are usually dark brownish in color and have an atypical consistency.
Rupture of the wall of the fertilized egg with its subsequent release is also a fairly favorable outcome of the pathology, accompanied by dark brown discharge and nagging pain in the lower abdomen. To prevent the development of complications, curettage in a hospital setting is required.

It is important to remember: whether menstruation occurs during an ectopic pregnancy or not, a woman needs monitoring and intervention from specialists.

What is an ectopic position of the ovum?

In a healthy body, the fusion of the egg and sperm occurs in the fallopian tube. A zygote is formed, which then ends up in the uterus.

The zygote is unable to move on its own. Its movement occurs due to the coordinated contraction of the walls of the fallopian tube and the movement of the cilia inside it.

If there are factors that disrupt the motor activity of the tube, the zygote remains in it or ends up in the ovary. In rare cases, the fertilized egg is placed in the abdominal cavity. A pregnancy option is possible when the embryo is implanted in the cervix.

The function of the fallopian tubes can be hindered by:

inflammatory diseases of the internal genital organs;
altered hormonal activity of the ovaries in endocrinological pathologies;
obstruction inside the fallopian tubes due to adhesions and congenital anomalies.

Ultrasound room

I would like to know for sure whether everything is normal with pregnancy? Then it’s time to go to the hospital and make an appointment with an uzist. Every expectant mother faces this.

Ultrasound of an ectopic pregnancy in the early stages is the most accurate and reliable method for confirming the position of the ovum. If it is not found in the uterus, the doctor will look to see where the egg is attached.

True, as in the previous case, if you come too early, on an ultrasound the fertilized egg will look like a tumor or cyst. It is recommended to contact this specialist after a delay in menstruation.

When will your period come?

It is impossible to determine the exact time of the appearance of menstruation after an ectopic pregnancy. The fact is that each woman’s hormonal background is individual and how aspects of the pathology affected it is unknown.

Doctors recommend a system that has a chance to determine the beginning of a new menstrual cycle:

Identify and remember the first day. They indicate the day on which the operation was performed.
Add to it an amount equal to the days of the menstrual cycle until the appearance of ectopic disease.
Subtract five days from the resulting number and add ten more days

The result will be a period after which the expected periods will appear.

According to the standard, this period of time takes one to two months. Discharge that appears earlier may not be the menstrual cycle, but internal bleeding. Then you should immediately consult a doctor.

Ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous pathology for a woman. It indicates the exact loss of the fetus and can seriously threaten the health of the patient. Menstruation during her period is an uncertain fact, but carries bad information. You need to consult a doctor in everything and follow all instructions

Symptoms requiring urgent medical attention

By delaying contacting a specialist and believing that menstruation should occur during an ectopic pregnancy, women aggravate an already difficult situation. The consequences are greatly alleviated with early diagnosis.

Urgent examination by a doctor is required if you have the following symptoms:

pain in the lower or side of the abdomen;
fuzzy second line test;
unusual bloody discharge;
delayed menstruation;
swelling of the mammary glands;
disturbance of psycho-emotional state.

Situations when there may be false periods during an ectopic pregnancy arise frequently. Bloody discharge is the first sign of tissue rupture. Blood along with the fertilized egg can enter the abdominal cavity and create conditions for the development of peritonitis.

Recovery depends on how early the pathology is detected. If you find two lines on the test, immediately make an appointment with a specialist.