Women are often concerned about the question: can they menstruate during pregnancy? This is of interest to both those who plan to become mothers and those who do not want to give birth. Typically, girls begin to worry if the spotting has passed after a delay, that is, some time after the expected next menstruation. It’s not clear: could this be pregnancy or just a cycle failure?

First, let's define the terminology. Physiological female processes are designed in such a way that menstruation stops if conception occurs. Therefore, doctors give an unequivocally negative answer to the question of whether menstruation can occur during pregnancy.

But it's not that simple. After conception, especially in the early stages, bleeding can indeed occur, and this condition can easily be confused with menstruation. Sometimes this is abnormal bleeding, which requires urgent medical attention.

Quite often, women find themselves in an unclear position. It happens that a woman is confident in her pregnancy, but she begins to have spotting. It happens that conception is unlikely, but menstruation came after a delay, it is unusual in nature (for example, it is too weak or began earlier than usual). In this case, you need to take a pregnancy test during menstruation, which is in doubt.

Now the main thing is to establish the presence (or absence) of pregnancy as quickly and accurately as possible. To do this, a rapid test is performed to determine the concentration of hCG in the morning urine. This is the same test that is sold in any pharmacy. Since it is spotting that causes a flurry of questions, many people take a pregnancy test during their period, worrying about how reliable its results will be.

How to use the test

During menstruation, the test can show the same as in their absence. In order to get a real result, follow the rules of its implementation:

• Drink less fluid the day before, especially in the evening, to increase the concentration of morning urine. This is especially important in the very early stages;
• before the first morning urination, wash yourself thoroughly and insert a tampon into the vagina;
• collect the first portion of urine into a sterile container;
• make sure that the test has not expired and is packaged intact;
• lower the test strip only to the level specified in the instructions, not deeper;
• observe the time for assessing the result.

As a rule, a pregnancy test during menstruation is negative. Often, premenstrual syndrome in its symptoms is similar to the first signs of conception. And a woman is mistaken when she mistakes PMS for pregnancy.

Rarely, but another option is possible: conception did occur. But on the first day of menstruation, the test has not yet shown it, because the period is too short. You can repeat the test a little later, which can show pregnancy after menstruation, since as the period increases, the concentration of hCG in the urine increases. But, we repeat, then this is no longer menstruation, but a completely different bleeding (more on this below).

A positive test result is the best answer to the question of how to distinguish menstruation from pregnancy for those who dream of a baby.

Since the test can be erroneous, especially if done on the first day of your period, you can donate blood to test for the presence of hCG. This analysis is able to determine conception - already in the first month of pregnancy, approximately 10-15 days after fertilization.

Types of bleeding

Girls who do not have hormonal disorders usually know when their periods should start, how many days they can last, and what the total length of the cycle is and the normal type of discharge. Therefore, it is easier for them to suspect signs of pregnancy during false periods. The rest have to rely on general knowledge.

Vaginal bleeding is assessed according to several criteria.

By quantity:

• spotting,
• meager,
• normal,
• plentiful.

By color:

• brown;
• dark (“black periods”);
• red;
• bright scarlet.

By consistency:

• liquid;
• with particles of the inner lining of the uterus;
• thick – when a significant blood clot can be detected.

By duration: every woman knows her usual cycle - for some, menstruation is short and ends in three days, for others it lasts more than seven days.

Menstrual-like bleeding may differ from normal periods. A change in the nature of the usual discharge may indicate pregnancy during menstruation (more precisely, during bleeding). Pay special attention if:

• menstruation began prematurely;
• scanty periods began;
• ended faster than always: it happens that menstruation lasts for one day;
• the discharge had an unusual color, the so-called black periods, brown or pink;
• the consistency of the discharge has changed. Signs of menstruation with clots or discharge appeared; on the contrary, the discharge became too thin;

Scanty or spotting discharge is observed when:

• hormonal disorders,
• inflammatory processes,
• taking hormonal contraceptives,
• use of intrauterine contraception,
• traumatization of the mucous membrane of the cervix and vagina during aggressive sexual intercourse, medical or hygienic manipulations.

In addition, if, after a delay, brown spotting occurs, accompanied by abdominal pain and a deterioration in general condition, it may be a manifestation of an ectopic pregnancy.

Heavy discharge that appears suddenly is difficult to confuse with menstruation; it should alert a woman, since heavy bleeding is a direct threat to life.

Discharge during intrauterine pregnancy

When the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus, a small amount of blood is released. This is implantation bleeding, it is often confused with scanty menstruation and it is believed that the period came ahead of schedule. There is very little blood, usually just a few drops of pink or brown. Implantation bleeding is normal and does not threaten pregnancy.

Bloody discharge that looks like menstruation during early pregnancy is a sign of hormonal imbalance. If there is a lack of progesterone, the hormone that maintains pregnancy, the body may decide that it is necessary to normalize the menstrual cycle and start it. Then menstrual-like bleeding may occur. A strong contraction of the uterine walls at this moment can prevent the embryo from fully attaching, and then the woman may not even know about her conception, considering her periods to be normal.

How to find out if pregnancy is possible after menstruation, a gynecologist will tell you. Most likely, the doctor will send the patient for blood tests and an ultrasound examination. For your part, listen carefully to your body during a doubtful period. A woman herself can determine the signs of pregnancy if she has her period:

• bursting painful sensations in the mammary glands, their enlargement and release of colostrum when pressing on the areola;
• frequent urination;
• taste and olfactory changes, cravings for unusual foods, inedible substances;
• drowsiness, fatigue, irritability;
• the appearance of acne and pigmentation on the skin.

Yes, it could be pregnancy. This condition usually inspires those who really want to get pregnant. But in reality, it often turns out to be a sign of PMS during normal menstruation. If you haven’t gotten your period, you don’t have to wonder for a long time how to distinguish the symptoms of PMS from pregnancy; it’s better to do a home rapid test and go to a clinic to see a specialist.

Probability of fertilization depending on the day of the cycle

The menstrual cycle of women is a very variable process. There are girls whose periods go “like clockwork,” but this is rare; the timing is influenced by many factors - climate, stress, illness. Under such conditions, the egg can be ripe for conception at almost any time. This is unlikely on the first day of your period, but in the last days it is quite possible. Therefore, the situation when fertilization can occur in the early stages after menstruation is not so rare.

It is important to understand that pregnancy that begins during menstruation is a variant of the norm. And bleeding that occurs after conception, the so-called pregnancy through menstruation, is a sign of pathology, possibly serious, which can threaten the health and life of the mother and baby.

Therefore, all doubts and questions about how to distinguish pregnancy from hormonal dysfunctions, whether menstruation can occur during pregnancy and how to distinguish them from normal ones should be asked to a gynecologist during a face-to-face consultation. The doctor will indicate what other tests, analyzes and examinations should be taken in order to understand the ambiguous situation.

You should not engage in self-diagnosis, much less prescribe treatment; this is dangerous both for a pregnant woman and for one who does not plan to have a child. If the bleeding is severe, if there is pain, you need to call an ambulance or urgently consult a doctor on the first day of your period.

The first month of pregnancy often remains for the expectant mother a “month of ignorance” about her new status as a “pregnant woman.” So far, there have not been any sharp cardinal changes in either the pregnant woman’s well-being or her appearance, especially since pregnancy initially begins with the fertilization of the egg, its further “journey” to the uterus and its secure attachment there.

The introduction of a fertilized egg into the wall of the uterus occurs 6-14 days after its historical meeting with the sperm. From now on, the formation and development of the unborn child will last for 9 months: first, the egg will turn into an embryo, then into a fetus, and by the end of pregnancy, mom and dad will probably know whether to choose a male or female name for the long-awaited baby.

Signs of pregnancy in the first month

Of course, the most obvious sign that pregnancy has occurred is the absence of menstruation on time. If your period is 3-4 days late, it’s time to buy a pregnancy test. But the test, of course, is not always guaranteed to determine pregnancy, but a blood test for hCG can cope with this with constant success: with the onset of pregnancy, the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin begin to steadily increase.

Other signs of pregnancy in the first month, which may signal a successful conception and “settlement” of the egg in the uterus:

• elevated: basal temperature increases to 37-37.5 degrees even with the onset of ovulation under the influence of the hormone progesterone. This same hormone remains a full-fledged “master” in a woman’s body even after conception, being responsible for maintaining pregnancy. This is associated with increased basal temperature at the beginning of pregnancy and until the end of the first trimester;
• enlargement of the mammary glands and increased sensitivity of the breasts, darkening of the areola: the changes that the breasts undergo already at the beginning of pregnancy are also associated with an increase in the concentration of progesterone. Already from the first month, thus, the body prepares for the upcoming lactation after the birth of the baby;
• exacerbation of olfactory sensations and taste preferences: suddenly, unexpectedly, a woman begins to react sharply and with disgust to certain odors, which can even cause nausea. In addition, unexpected food cravings may appear, and for some reason a woman begins to crave those foods that she didn’t particularly “like” before;
• fatigue and constant drowsiness: changes have already begun in the body, now it will have to be completely rebuilt in order to provide the most comfortable conditions for the life and development of the fetus. This restructuring may well be accompanied by increased fatigue and a haunting desire to sleep; such symptoms often make themselves felt throughout the first trimester of pregnancy;
• mood swings: just a minute ago the woman was laughing boisterously, and now she’s suddenly crying, upset? The reason for this is all the same hormones.

Sensations and pains

In the early stages, a woman does not yet fully experience all the possible “delights of pregnancy” that she has yet to encounter at different stages of bearing a child. However, even now some hitherto unknown sensations may appear, such as the desire to sleep longer and more often, a feeling of haunting fatigue and rapid fatigue. The fact is that now all the body’s forces are aimed at maintaining the pregnancy, and with such changes it is trying to “tell” the expectant mother that from now on it is necessary to save strength and live in a “gentle” mode.

Although toxicosis usually manifests itself somewhat later, in some cases its symptoms are possible already in the first month of pregnancy. Nowadays, no universal remedy has been invented for vomiting, which is how toxicosis manifests itself: some women are helped by lollipops, others by lemon. The set of “general” recommendations for avoiding and reducing toxicosis is simple: irritating odors that provoke nausea should be eliminated; maintain an optimal diet and in the morning, immediately after waking up, before getting out of bed, drink warm tea and eat an apple or cookies.

The first trimester of pregnancy is characterized by a feeling of some discomfort associated with swelling and tenderness of the mammary glands, headaches and dizziness may occur - all these are the results of hormonal changes.

Many accomplished mothers note the presence of nagging pain in the abdomen in the first month of pregnancy, similar to those that occur during the premenstrual period. If the abdominal pain is not severe, does not accompany the woman constantly and does not “degenerate” into cramping, it does not pose a threat. But at the same time, abdominal pain can be a symptom of increased uterine tone and a high risk of pregnancy failure, and also indicate the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, if pain in the abdomen in the first month of pregnancy is constant, accompanied by spotting brown discharge or bleeding, you should consult a doctor, who will make an accurate diagnosis.

Even in the early stages, even though the belly has not even begun to grow, pain in the lower back and in the sacral area is possible, as a result of the softening of the ligaments and spinal discs that support the uterus under the influence of progesterone and the tension of the round muscles of the uterus due to its gradual enlargement.

It is very possible that in the first trimester of pregnancy a woman will notice an increased need to empty the bladder: sometimes the expectant mother has to get up several times a night to go to the toilet “in a small way.” Experts explain the increased frequency of urination by the gradual enlargement of the uterus, which puts pressure on the bladder, and the increased production of fluid by the pregnant woman’s body.

Discharge in the first month of pregnancy

In the first month of pregnancy, discharge in abundance and any qualitative changes do not bother the woman. Although, of course, the possibility of some increase in discharge cannot be ruled out, which may occur due to hormonal changes in the body.

Even at the very beginning of the first month of pregnancy, towards the end of the first or beginning of the second week, a woman may also notice spotting, which is the so-called implantation bleeding. This phenomenon occurs at the moment of implantation of the egg into the wall of the uterus, and we are not even talking about bleeding as such, but about the separation of a certain amount of pinkish discharge.

But the appearance of discharge in the first month of pregnancy in the form of real bleeding - even profuse, even “smearing” - already indicates pathology. Thus, vaginal bleeding may indicate a miscarriage that has already taken place (looks like an ordinary period, perhaps delayed and somewhat more painful) or a high risk of miscarriage (in the presence of spotting brown or bloody discharge).

In addition, careful attention to yourself requires discharge in the first month of pregnancy, which is accompanied by itching and/or burning, has an unpleasant odor, has a green, yellow or gray color, and “unhealthy” foaminess or curdledness. Such symptoms are characteristic of an infection, for which you will have to undergo the indicated tests to determine and select treatment tactics.

Menstruation in the first month of pregnancy

Normally, menstruation stops with the onset of pregnancy. However, you can often find references to the fact that menstruation was still occurring in the first month of pregnancy, and doctors also in many cases classify such cases as normal. The situation in which menstruation is still present in the first month of pregnancy may be explained by the fact that the fertilized egg did not have time to “get” to the uterus. So, if fertilization occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, and the egg is still on its way to the uterus (the “journey” takes from a week to two), no hormonal changes occur in the body. This means that menstruation comes on time, but should not be repeated in the second month.

If your period “comes” in the following months (the literature describes situations where women menstruate before 3-4 months of pregnancy), most likely, we are talking about a hormonal imbalance. Menstruation can be combined with pregnancy, for example, in case of insufficient progesterone production or in case of hyperandrogenism.

Cold

A cold in the early stages of pregnancy is not only undesirable, but even dangerous for the further development of pregnancy, for the formation and development of the embryo. Thus, a cold in the first month of pregnancy, in the first weeks, with a high degree of risk ends in embryo rejection: even before the onset of menstruation, without even thinking about pregnancy, a woman resorts to various types of medications to treat a cold. Uncontrolled and thoughtless use of them ultimately has a detrimental effect on pregnancy: a woman may well mistake a miscarriage for another menstruation.

A cold is no less dangerous in the first month of pregnancy and when menstruation is already significantly delayed and the woman justifiably suspects (or even already knows) about her impending motherhood. The fact is that the active division of embryonic cells, its formation and development begins from the first month, and encountering some infections can cause a “failure” in the normal process of formation of the unborn child, triggering the development of certain pathologies. For the same reason, taking most medications during pregnancy is prohibited, which makes treating colds much more difficult. But it is necessary to treat it, otherwise the risk of fetal abnormalities is high.

As a rule, more and more medicinal herbs are used in the treatment of colds in the early stages of pregnancy, the use of which still requires consultation with a doctor - some herbs also pose a threat.

And it’s better, of course, to avoid colds now, knowing that immunity is reduced during pregnancy, and take care. As a preventive measure, you should spend less time in places with large crowds of people, follow a sleep and rest schedule, get enough sleep, avoid contact with people who already have a cold, and eat well.

Temperature

It’s even worse if a cold in the early stages of pregnancy is accompanied by fever: temperature in the first month of pregnancy is dangerous because of its ability to provoke pregnancy fading. In addition, the temperature now can lead to pregnancy rejection, and if the pregnancy is maintained, to pathologies in the development of the child. What complicates the situation is that antipyretics in the early stages of pregnancy, like the vast majority of medications, are prohibited. So what to do?

First of all, do not panic and be sure to seek specialized help. The main way to reduce high fever at this stage should be to drink plenty of fluids - herbal teas, linden blossom or raspberry decoction, weak black tea with lemon and honey. A decoction of 2 teaspoons of raspberry leaves, 2 tbsp. should help relieve fever. spoons of oregano, 4 tbsp. spoons of coltsfoot, 3 tbsp. spoons of plantain. But, by the way, you should also be “careful” with herbs; some of them, which help at other times, are undesirable during pregnancy.

It should be taken into account that a significant increase in temperature is also accompanied by some other infectious diseases with an inflammatory process occurring in the body. If an increase in temperature in the first month is recorded in the absence of other signs of a cold, you should consult a doctor and take tests to diagnose the disease and choose adequate treatment.

Nutrition in the first month of pregnancy

It is necessary to adjust the diet with the onset of pregnancy, and the sooner this is done, the better it will be for the mother and baby. The main nutritional requirements in the first month are balance and consumption of sufficient quantities of nutrients and nutrients. In general, the daily caloric intake for a woman at this stage is about 2500 kilocalories.

To prevent and eliminate toxicosis that is already present, you should definitely include protein foods in your diet and reduce the amount of animal fats. In addition, now you should give up hard-to-digest foods, fast food products, and semi-finished products. Alcoholic drinks are definitely prohibited; women should be careful with coffee and tea.

It is advisable to eat often and in small portions, preventing hunger from becoming rampant; it is important to avoid overeating. Nutrition in the first month of pregnancy must include the consumption of vegetables and fruits - they will become the main source of vitamins and microelements. But, at the same time, even in large quantities, vegetables consumed cannot fill the increased need for folic acid, which a woman will be prescribed to consume additionally along with vitamin E.

It is also important that calcium-containing foods are present in the diet: cottage cheese, eggs, milk and fermented milk products. A supply of calcium in the body is necessary: ​​in the near future, the baby will “scoop” it from the mother’s body to form bone tissue.

In general, the requirements for nutrition are now common: it must be healthy, nutritious and exclude foods “harmful” to the child in any of their variations.

Sex

Is sex acceptable in the first month of pregnancy? The question is ambiguous, and the opinions of experts on this matter differ: some are categorically against physical intimacy in the early stages, arguing that any careless movement can be harmful, some believe that sex has a place to happen if spouses approach lovemaking responsibly and caution. A clear contraindication to sex is the threat of miscarriage - if the uterus is toned, physical contact can cause a miscarriage.

In general, due to the dramatic changes that are now taking place in a woman’s body, the expectant mother herself is not particularly inclined towards intimacy: headaches, breast soreness, constant fatigue and a feeling of weakness do not in any way contribute to sexual activity. And a man will have to come to terms with this and find a new approach to a woman: an approach of tenderness, affection and love.

It should be mentioned that in connection with conception and a successfully developing pregnancy, the exact opposite situation may arise: a woman’s libido and the need for sexual pleasures, on the contrary, increase. And this is also normal: you never know how the “pranks” of hormones will turn out.

In any case, in the absence of contraindications, sex in the first month of pregnancy is possible, but only without sudden movements and with caution. In addition, it is better to use a condom during physical intimacy: the vaginal mucosa is now also undergoing changes, becoming loose and easily injured. And, since in the absence of menstruation the self-cleaning function of the vagina decreases, even microdamages can cause the development of colpitis.

No. Only non-pregnant women can menstruate.

In pregnant women, the level of prolactin in the blood increases, and because of these hormones, the body switches to a different “mode” of operation. In this new “regime”, eggs stop maturing in the ovaries and hormones are not produced as before.

As a result of all these changes, she also begins to work in a new way: now she has the task of protecting the unborn child. In the uterus, the processes of growth and rejection of the endometrium, which are responsible for the onset of menstruation in each month, stop. The menstrual cycle stops and does not occur.

I'm pregnant, but I got my period - what does this mean?

As mentioned above, pregnant women cannot menstruate. But instead of them, bloody vaginal discharge may appear, reminiscent of menstruation. Such discharge can be as heavy as menstruation and last for the same number of days, which can mislead you. About one in four pregnant women may experience spotting in early pregnancy.

How to distinguish regular periods from spotting during pregnancy?

The difficulty is that spotting can occur on the same days when menstruation is due, can be the same as during menstruation, and even last for the same number of days as menstruation. Therefore, if you have had unprotected sexual intercourse, or errors in taking it, then the arrival of your period on the scheduled days is not a guarantee that you are not pregnant. You need it anyway.

This time my periods were not the same as usual. Does this mean I'm pregnant?

If you are sexually active, and especially if you are not using protection, then any change in the nature of your menstruation may indicate that you are pregnant. The likelihood of pregnancy is quite high if:

• Your period arrived 2-7 days earlier than scheduled
• My periods were not as heavy as usual (fewer pads were used)
• Periods had an unusual color (pink, light brown, brown, black)
• Your period lasted fewer days than usual

Important: interrupted sexual intercourse, when the partner does not put on a condom but removes the sexual organ from the vagina before ejaculation, is not a reliable means of protection against pregnancy and is equated to unprotected sex. That is, you can become pregnant as a result of PPA.

The pregnancy test shows two lines, but my period has arrived. What does it mean?

If the test shows two lines or confirms pregnancy, then there is a pregnancy and the appearance of spotting does not cancel the results of tests or analyses.

Every fourth woman experiences bloody vaginal discharge in early pregnancy. In about half of these women, spotting does not threaten pregnancy and does not indicate that something is wrong. But for the other half, spotting is a sign of miscarriage. This is why you need to pay close attention to this discharge and see a gynecologist to make sure everything is okay.

When is spotting during pregnancy not dangerous?

Bloody discharge in early pregnancy is not as uncommon as it might seem at first glance. Many women turn to a gynecologist about this. Sometimes these discharges do not threaten pregnancy and are associated with changes in the body during pregnancy:

• Implantation bleeding
• Bloody discharge associated with sexual intercourse
• Bloody discharge associated with examination by a gynecologist

What is implantation bleeding?

Implantation bleeding occurs in approximately 20-30% of pregnant women. Implantation is the process of attaching an embryo to the wall of the uterus.

During implantation, the blood vessels of the uterus can be damaged, which leads to the appearance of spotting from the vagina of varying degrees of intensity. Sometimes it's just a few pink spots on your panties, sometimes it's a dark spotting that lasts for days.

When does implantation bleeding occur?

Implantation bleeding can occur 7-14 days after conception. More often, spotting appears several days before the expected menstruation, but it can also appear on the days when menstruation is due, and even after a period is several days late.

I'm bleeding lightly and now I feel like my period is coming.

If you are planning a pregnancy and suspect that the spotting may be implantation bleeding, then do not worry if you experience symptoms of the onset of menstruation (pulling pain in the lower abdomen, breast swelling). Early signs of pregnancy are very similar to early signs of menstruation, so you still have a chance of being pregnant. To find out for sure if you are pregnant, take a test. This test can be taken as early as 11 days after unprotected sexual intercourse. But a pregnancy test will not help here - it’s too early to do it.

I'm pregnant and after sex I got my period (bloody, brown discharge). Is it dangerous?

Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy:

• the appearance of bloody discharge from the vagina
• sharp pain in the lower abdomen or side
• Fainting, headache, pale skin and rapid pulse are signs of internal bleeding
• nausea, vomiting

What is a miscarriage?

A miscarriage is a spontaneous termination of pregnancy, or spontaneous abortion. Approximately 15-20% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage before 12 weeks. Symptoms of miscarriage:

• bloody vaginal discharge
• cramping pain in the lower abdomen (usually stronger than during menstruation)
• vaginal discharge in the form of lumps or pieces of tissue

Most miscarriages cannot be prevented. A miscarriage is the body’s reaction to an abnormal pregnancy, or to a stop in fetal development. (). Having a miscarriage does not mean that you are unhealthy or that you will not be able to have children in the future. The most common cause of miscarriage is fetal pathology. That is, the body gets rid of the fetus, which will die sooner or later, or has already died.

What should you do in such a situation?

See a doctor or call an ambulance immediately.

What is a hydatidiform mole?

Hydatidiform mole is a dangerous complication of pregnancy in which there is no embryo in the uterus, or only individual tissues of the embryo are present. Hydatidiform mole can degenerate into a malignant tumor, chorionepithelioma, which is life-threatening for a woman.

Symptoms of hydatidiform mole:

• bloody
• nausea and vomiting
• very high hCG levels that do not correspond to the gestational age
• Absence of fetal heartbeat on ultrasound

What should you do in such a situation?

Contact your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy automatically excludes menstruation - a well-known fact. Therefore, the appearance of menstruation in the first month of pregnancy is, to put it mildly, surprising. What does an alarming symptom indicate and can this be considered normal? Find answers to these and other questions in the article.

According to the laws of female physiology, critical days and pregnancy are mutually exclusive concepts. In the development of the menstrual cycle, there are 3 main “segments”: those preceding ovulation (follicular), ovulation and those completing ovulation (luteal). At the beginning of the cycle, the inner walls of the uterus grow the endometrium. If during the period of ovulation the meeting of female and male reproductive cells does not take place, the thickened endometrium begins to gradually peel off in order to leave the uterus along with the blood at the end of the cycle. This “cycle” occurs in the female body every month.

Another possible scenario is when during ovulation, as a result of the fusion of gametes, a zygote is formed. Pushed by the villi of the fallopian tube, the fertilized egg soon finds itself in the uterus, where it attaches to one of its walls. Successful implantation is a signal for increased production of progesterone. The “pregnancy” hormone prevents endometrial detachment and, on the contrary, helps strengthen it. It is because of this design of nature that menstruation is absent not only during the first month after ovulation, but throughout pregnancy. Very often, the word “menstruation” is used by ladies to mean any discharge of blood from the genital tract. In fact, this is not entirely correct, because the appearance of blood from the vagina can be caused not only by the menstrual cycle.

Why do you get periods in the first months of pregnancy?

Vaginal discharge containing some blood or blood clots is indeed very easy to confuse with real menstruation. The situation in some cases is further complicated by the fact that a woman may doubt whether she is pregnant or not. Puzzled expectant mothers come to see a doctor with a question like this: “Do you get your period in the first month of pregnancy?” The gynecologist will undoubtedly clarify the situation - this is not menstruation, but bleeding similar to menstruation. The phenomenon, unfortunately, is not rare, and sometimes even extremely dangerous.

In the first month of pregnancy, imaginary periods occur for several reasons:

• high probability of miscarriage;
• non-developing pregnancy;
• ectopic attachment of the embryo.

If a newly-made expectant mother is in danger of spontaneous pregnancy loss in the first month, she will notice a discharge similar to scanty menstruation. You can also note a nagging discomfort in the lower abdomen. The most common reason for this is the unpredictable immune reaction of the female body. The embryo is perceived as a foreign element, so the body tries to push it out.

Signs of a non-developing or frozen embryo do not appear immediately. The most eloquent harbingers of pathology are considered to be “menstruation” in the first month of pregnancy in the form of moderate dark discharge, the absence of hypersensitivity and softening of the mammary glands, as well as acute pain in the abdominal area. In most cases, pregnancy stops developing due to congenital anomalies during the formation of the embryo, chromosomal “breakages” or hypertonicity of the uterus.

Pain also occurs in the case of an ectopic pregnancy. Unpleasant sensations are then localized in the area of ​​attachment of the embryo, each time intensifying with a sharp change in body position or during any active movements. The external manifestation of the pathology is scanty, dark-colored bleeding. Long and heavy periods in the first month of pregnancy are the most favorable outcome in this situation. This indicates spontaneous detachment of the embryo.

Pathologies such as non-developing and ectopic pregnancy are usually eliminated surgically. Otherwise, a complication of the pathology will lead to the death of the pregnant woman.

All deviations in the development of pregnancy mentioned above pose a great danger to a woman’s health. If your health only worsens, you cannot do without emergency medical care. In most cases, severe pain is accompanied by fever, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, bradycardia and general malaise.

When menstruation in the first month of pregnancy is not dangerous

Discharge of blood from the genital tract during pregnancy is an alarming sign, but not in all cases. Sometimes the appearance of a certain amount of mucus mixed with blood is dictated by physiological reasons, so there is absolutely nothing to worry about. The explanation for the fact that “periods” came in the first month of pregnancy could be a number of factors:

• implantation of the fertilized egg into the fleecy layer of the endometrium of the uterus. Very rarely, but blood is still released at the moment the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. This usually looks like a faint spotting discharge. Minor bleeding occurs as a result of microtrauma due to damaged endometrial vessels. In most cases, there is no blood, so the moment the embryo settles in the uterus passes unnoticed by the woman;
• unusual structure of the reproductive organ. For example, if the uterus is bicornuate, the embryo is attached to one part of it, and the second at this very time is still subject to menstrual bleeding. This is exactly the situation when normal periods are observed in the first month of pregnancy. This pathology occurs in a small percentage of women;
• fusion of gametes immediately before the date of the next menstruation. Pregnancy is quite possible right before the start of your period if ovulation is late. Menstruation begins “according to the calendar”, since the woman’s hormonal background does not have time to change and does not yet meet the conditions optimal for the normal development of the embryo;
• hormonal disorder. Progesterone deficiency or excessive concentration of androgens in a woman’s blood causes prolonged brownish vaginal discharge, which is generally not dangerous. Drug hormone therapy will help restore normal hormone levels. Circumstances are such that the endocrinologist’s patient may not know for a long time that she has become a future mother, so she leads a familiar lifestyle (bad habits, the use of serious medications), which does not benefit the fetus;

• the emergence from the follicle of each ovary of one mature egg, one of which met the sperm, and the second died. For this reason, planned periods during pregnancy in the first month can only occur once and at the earliest stage. If blood appears in the second month, this is an obvious violation;
• increased blood circulation in the pelvic organs. With the onset of pregnancy, blood flow to this area increases significantly, so a woman may more than once find minor blood smears on her underwear. Most often, this phenomenon is observed after intimacy or examination by a gynecologist. The source of blood is the damaged mucous membrane of the uterus, which is very vulnerable during this period;
• the presence of endometriosis, as well as benign neoplasms of the endometrium and myometrium.

Discharge or menstruation in the first month of pregnancy: what are they?

It is quite easy to distinguish regular periods from discharge mixed with blood. Pathological rejection of fragments of the inner mucous membrane of the uterus, to which the fertilized egg has already attached, can cost the fetus its life. That is why doctors consider this phenomenon not as menstruation, but as bleeding.

Not all bleeding is deadly, however, the expectant mother is advised to carefully monitor her well-being. If menstruation began in early pregnancy due to a hormonal disorder, but the woman feels well, then such bleeding does not bode well for her.

However, there are bleedings that indicate the development of an internal inflammatory process, an ectopic pregnancy, or an approaching spontaneous abortion. If the expectant mother is not yet aware of her delicate situation, she should at least be alerted to the following symptoms:

• painful, profuse bleeding of a very dark color;
• watery discharge with sharp pain;
• scanty menstruation;
• the appearance of blood in the middle of the monthly cycle;
• absence of PMS, but swelling of the mammary glands persists even after the end of menstruation.

To prevent complications from developing, if you have any of the symptoms listed above, you should seek medical help.

The dangers of menstruation during pregnancy

The discharge of blood from a woman’s genital tract during early pregnancy is associated with certain risks:

1. Bleeding after implantation of the fertilized egg, comparable in duration and abundance to the usual discharge during menstruation, promises the expectant mother the loss of the embryo. Bleeding, which is accompanied by cramping pain, also leads to the same disastrous result.
2. Scanty bleeding, even if it is regular, usually does not pose a serious danger to a woman and her unborn child. To clarify the situation, you cannot do without consulting a competent specialist.
3. In extremely rare cases, menstruation in its usual sense continues for the entire period of pregnancy, and as a result, a completely healthy baby is born. This unique phenomenon is explained by the fact that occasionally the female body retains the hormonal background that preceded pregnancy. Despite the fact that in such a situation the child still has a chance to be born normally, the entire gestation period is called critical.
4. Literally in the first few days of pregnancy, one single menstruation is acceptable. Hormones are again involved here, which have not yet obeyed the physiological laws of procreation. On the one hand, there is nothing wrong with this. On the other hand, the expectant mother needs to realistically assess her well-being and, at the first deterioration, immediately contact a medical facility. Acute painful sensations accompanied by the release of scarlet blood indicate an incipient miscarriage. In this case, immediate hospitalization is indicated. If all rehabilitation measures are carried out in a timely manner, there is a chance to save the embryo.

Menstruation during pregnancy: important to know

Even if you are just planning a child, you will find it useful to take note of the following information:

1. In the first week of an “interesting” situation, a woman may experience bleeding of varying intensity. They are different from menstruation, but in most cases they are not dangerous. However, if blood appears after 12 weeks of pregnancy, you should urgently seek medical help.
2. If the discharge mixed with blood in the early stages of pregnancy is as intense as during normal critical days, a miscarriage is most likely to occur.
3. Prolonged copious discharge of blood with pulsating acute pain in the abdomen also indicates spontaneous abortion.
4. If you have recently taken synthetic contraceptive drugs, then after stopping them, the body will not immediately get used to the natural hormonal levels. That is why, even after implantation of the fertilized egg, so-called false menstruation may appear. They begin on the same days on which regular menstruation was expected. Practice shows that the phenomenon is not dangerous, but it is necessary to notify the attending physician.

If you are already aware of your pregnancy thanks to a rapid test or blood test, remember: any bleeding should now be considered primarily as a pathology and always seek clarification of the situation at the antenatal clinic.