Can menstruation go during pregnancy. Menstruation and pregnancy. Are periods always dangerous during pregnancy?

  • Such cases, of course, are not frequent. The presence of menstruation during pregnancy depends on the duration and health of the woman's hormonal system. Sometimes bleeding tends to be confused with menstruation, when the presence of pregnancy is still unknown.
  • To deal with such a difficult problem as the presence of menstruation during pregnancy, it is necessary to consider various causes and situations.

Is it possible to have periods in early pregnancy?

  • From an anatomical point of view, menstruation during pregnancy is impossible. It is necessary to remember the course of anatomy in order to understand that a full period in the presence of a fertilized egg in the uterus is fraught with miscarriage
  • However, on the other hand, the process of pregnancy does not occur instantly. It takes 7 to 14 days for a fertilized egg to reach the uterus
  • So, if the egg is still “making its way”, and menstruation should begin according to the schedule, then in principle, this is quite possible
  • In fact, you will not yet be pregnant during this period. The egg will get to the right place already before the bleeding stops
  • In rare cases, menstruation occurs during pregnancy if two eggs have matured, and only one has been fertilized.

Why do menstruation occur during pregnancy?

  • Quite often, menstruation is simply confused with bleeding. This happens especially often in the early stages, when pregnancy is unknown.
  • In the first month of pregnancy, menstruation is quite acceptable. Further, it is simply impossible
  • In late pregnancy, there are also spotting from the vagina. This is not menstruation, but only discharge from damaged vessels
  • Sometimes discharge can begin due to hormonal failure in the body.

Why do menstruation clots during pregnancy?

  • Excessive bleeding with blood clots is abnormal for pregnancy. This indicates serious violations in the course of pregnancy.
  • A miscarriage is often accompanied by heavy bleeding with clots, as well as severe pain in the lower abdomen.
  • Another pathology is the death of the embryo due to a lack of development or other pathologies.
  • An ectopic pregnancy can sometimes be accompanied by bleeding and severe pulling pain in the abdomen.
  • Placental presentation during pregnancy also causes bleeding


Abundant periods during pregnancy

  • Menstruation during pregnancy from 2 months is no longer normal
  • To find out exactly the cause of the appearance of profuse bleeding, you need to consult a doctor.
  • If the pregnancy test shows a negative result, but the menstruation has changed (color of discharge, pain), then you should also consult a doctor. Very often the test is negative in ectopic pregnancy

How long are periods during pregnancy?

  • Pregnancy and the presence of bleeding during the first period of gestation is quite a common problem. However, if you do not adjust the hormonal background, then there may be tragic consequences.
  • At a later date, the presence of bleeding is already a dangerous sign - this can pose a serious threat to miscarriage
  • There are no full periods during pregnancy. Bleeding during pregnancy differs in color, texture and pain


Periods and ectopic pregnancy

  • An ectopic pregnancy is a pathological course of pregnancy. It carries the loss of the fetus and a number of complications for the mother.
  • In the early stages, it is very difficult to recognize an ectopic pregnancy. She either does not manifest herself in any way, or proceeds as a normal pregnancy.
  • The essence of an ectopic pregnancy is that the fertilized egg did not reach the uterus, but attached to the fallopian tubes
  • In the future, an ectopic pregnancy leads to an inflammatory process, internal bleeding, and often to infertility.
  • Full menstruation, even with an ectopic pregnancy, is impossible. The discharge that will appear is just a little bleeding
  • Discharge during an ectopic pregnancy will occur spontaneously, and not on time with menstruation. In addition, they are often accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen.

  • Quite often, women themselves confuse menstruation with bleeding.
  • This happens due to irregular visits to the gynecologist and not monitoring your menstrual cycle.
  • If the pregnancy test showed a negative value (and this happens quite often), then the woman may not be aware of her situation.
  • Sometimes a woman is quite fat, and her position is not detected until 4 - 5 months of pregnancy
  • There are quite a few such cases in medical practice. Therefore, in order to avoid this, regular examination by a gynecologist is necessary.


How to distinguish between menstruation and bleeding during pregnancy?

  • By color. Menstruation usually has a darker burgundy hue. And the color of bleeding is scarlet
  • By pain. With bleeding, the pain is usually much more noticeable than with menstruation.
  • By consistency. Menstruation is thicker than blood when bleeding
  • Menstruation and bleeding differ in the way they occur. As a rule, menstruation has 1 day, when the discharge is small. Bleeding usually starts spontaneously

Why induce menstruation during pregnancy?

  • The main purpose of calling menstruation during pregnancy is to interrupt it.
  • However, this process is not as simple as it seems at first glance. Moreover, it is not harmless. It is fraught with great health complications for a woman.
  • As a rule, menstruation is caused by special preparations under the supervision of a doctor. This is a kind of medical abortion. Possible in early pregnancy
  • There are also folk ways to induce menstruation during pregnancy. But by no means should they be used.


  • Anatomically, menstruation during pregnancy is impossible
  • During pregnancy, periods are often confused with bleeding or discharge.
  • Menstruation in the first month of pregnancy is possible with a long journey of the egg to the uterus and with a short menstrual cycle (21 days)
  • Bleeding is abnormal at any stage of pregnancy. If you have them, you need to see a doctor
  • If you are not sure about the absence of pregnancy, and your menstruation has changed its character, be sure to be examined by a gynecologist
  • The presence of bleeding during pregnancy is fraught with miscarriage and a number of health complications
  • To induce menstruation during pregnancy means to stop it

Video: Menstruation during pregnancy

Menstruation is cyclic menstrual bleeding. They occur at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, if the fertilization of the egg (conception) did not occur during the period of ovulation. Menstruation and pregnancy can be considered incompatible concepts that contradict the physiology of the female body. Bloody discharge from the vagina during the period of gestation, including in the early stages, is a dangerous symptom that requires timely diagnosis and treatment. In everyday life, they are called menstruation, but in essence, such discharges have nothing to do with cyclic bleeding. However, there are rare situations when menstruation during pregnancy does not harm the health of the fetus and the expectant mother - they are a normal physiological process.

And now let's dwell on this in more detail.

Physiology of the menstrual cycle

To understand why menstruation cannot occur during pregnancy, let's take a brief look at the anatomy of the uterus and the physiology of cyclic bleeding in women. The uterus consists of three layers: outer (perimetrium), middle (myometrium) and inner (endometrium). Myometrium is a muscular layer that protects the fetus during fetal development and is involved in the process of labor. The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus, which is cyclically renewed every 21-35 days.

In the first half of the menstrual cycle, the endometrium thickens and accumulates nutrients. If an egg is fertilized during ovulation, the fertilized egg descends from the fallopian tubes into the uterine cavity and attaches to the inner layer. Before the formation of the fetal placenta, the endometrium serves as a nutrient and protective environment for the intensively developing embryo.

In the event that conception has not occurred, the mucous layer is rejected, blood flows out of the damaged blood vessels - this is the beginning of a new menstrual cycle or menstruation. In the next month, the same physiological processes will occur until the onset of menopause in a woman. Thus, it is clear that menstruation cannot occur during the period of gestation.

Types of menstruation during pregnancy

Menstrual bleeding during pregnancy can be physiological and pathological. With physiological bleeding from the vagina, one should not be afraid of undesirable consequences for the health of the expectant mother and child. Such discharge occurs only during the first month of pregnancy - this is an important point that must be taken into account. If menstruation occurs in subsequent months, then this is always associated with the pathology of pregnancy. Even with physiological bleeding, it is better to consult a gynecologist at the antenatal clinic for a correct diagnosis. It is quite difficult to independently determine the safety of menstruation for health during the period of gestation, there is a big risk of making a mistake and not noticing the threat of abortion.

Situations in which physiological bleeding (true menstruation) occurs in the first month of pregnancy.

  1. Implantation of the fetal egg to the inner layer of the uterus (endometrium). During the penetration of a fertilized egg into the uterine mucosa, the integrity of the blood vessels is disrupted and there is scanty bleeding from the vagina. Implantation of the fetal egg can occur without the appearance of bleeding.
  2. The onset of menstruation after conception, but before the implantation of the fetal egg into the uterine wall - occurs with late ovulation and conception a few days before the onset of menstruation, as well as with a protracted implantation process for 7 to 15 days. In this case, the hormonal restructuring of the woman's body, characteristic of the period of gestation (increased synthesis), does not occur, and menstruation begins on time. The cessation of menstruation occurs only after a month, when the concentration of the hormone in the blood slows down the process of rejection of the endometrium.
  3. The maturation of an egg in each ovary. In rare cases, the egg matures in both the right and left ovaries. If one of them is conceived, the other dies, which causes the onset of menstrual bleeding.
  4. Minor hormonal imbalance at the beginning of pregnancy. At the earliest stages of gestation in the blood of a woman, there may be an insufficient concentration or an increased level of male sex hormones - androgens. This leads to the appearance of scanty bleeding. A healthy endocrine system evens out the imbalance in the hormonal background on its own, or a pregnant woman is prescribed a course of hormonal drugs.

In other cases, pathological spotting (false menstruation) occurs, which threatens the health of the woman and the life of the fetus.

Causes and symptoms of menstruation during early pregnancy

Pathological spotting from the vagina, which is commonly called menstruation, poses a danger to the normal development of pregnancy. When the first discharge with an admixture of blood occurs, it is necessary to contact a gynecologist to determine the cause and prescribe adequate therapy. The threat of miscarriage is a dangerous condition for the health and life of the unborn child; if medical care is not provided in time, it leads to the death of the fetus and termination of pregnancy.

Causes that cause the threat of miscarriage.


Symptoms of threatened miscarriage:

  • pulling and in the lumbar region;
  • cramping pain in the abdomen;
  • aching pains in the right and left side, which are aggravated by physical exertion and movement (in case);
  • nausea;
  • dizziness;
  • scanty or profuse spotting, brown leucorrhea (smearing) from the vagina.

In the event of spotting and abdominal pain, it is necessary to seek the advice of a doctor; in case of massive bleeding, call an ambulance team.

Features of menstruation during pregnancy

If physiological bleeding occurs during gestation, a woman may notice changes in the volume and color of discharge, the duration of menstruation. Usually, menstrual flow is scanty, of an atypical color (pink, brown, black), and lasts no more than 2-3 days. Changes in the nature of menstruation often indicate that pregnancy has occurred, but the concentration is not enough to prevent endometrial rejection.

With the threat of a miscarriage, they arise from the vagina (scanty, brown), the terms of which usually do not coincide with the first day of the expected menstruation. Abundant bleeding against the background of cramping pains in the lower abdomen indicates the onset of spontaneous abortion.

Minor bleeding from the vagina may occur in the following cases.


Bloody discharge, similar to menstruation, occurs with a rare pathology of pregnancy - which occurs more often in women over 35 years old. The disease is characterized by bloody brown color with blood clots and pieces of tissue containing blisters (small cysts). The condition is accompanied by nausea, increased heart rate, sweating, pain in the lower abdomen.

What is menstruation during pregnancy

The appearance of menstrual bleeding during pregnancy in most cases indicates in favor of pathological conditions that are dangerous for. In the case of physiological bleeding, there is no danger for bearing a child. However, it will not be superfluous to contact a gynecologist to make sure that the diagnosis is correct. Alertness about menstruation against the background of gestation allows you to timely identify pathological conditions and take therapeutic and preventive measures aimed at maintaining pregnancy.

Menstruation during pregnancy indicates the occurrence of the following conditions:

The cause of menstruation during pregnancy is determined by the gynecologist after a survey, examination, diagnostic examination, familiarization with the woman's medical records.

Is menstruation dangerous for a baby during pregnancy?

Physiological bleeding during the period of gestation, which is observed in the first month of pregnancy, is not dangerous for the embryo and does not cause complications. Such conditions are rare and are considered a variant of the norm. Menstruation ends quickly without undesirable consequences for the health of the expectant mother and the life of the fetus.

Pathological uterine bleeding during pregnancy does not in itself cause a danger to the health of the child. The causes and consequences of this condition are dangerous, which increase the risk of spontaneous abortion and intrauterine death of the fetus.

Menstruation during pregnancy, regardless of the cause, should be under the supervision of a doctor. The specialist will promptly identify a threat to the health and life of the child, prescribe treatment to maintain pregnancy until childbirth.

The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones that monthly prepare the female body for conception and gestation. Menstruation is the regular outflow of blood once a month due to rejection of the endometrium lining the uterine cavity, in the absence of fertilization.

The duration of the monthly cycle is 21-35 days, in adolescent girls it can reach 45 days. The first half of the cycle takes place with an increase in the level of estrogen, which is responsible for the strength of the bones and the active growth of the endometrium, which is the site for the implantation of the embryo. Ovulation or the release of the egg from the follicle occurs approximately in the middle of the cycle. Ideally, this is day 14, the middle of the monthly cycle, with the duration of the cycle itself being 28 days. The egg moves into the fallopian tube and then into the uterus. The most favorable conditions for conception are three days before and the last day of ovulation. If the sperm enters the egg, pregnancy occurs and menstruation does not occur. If conception does not occur, then the egg dies, the hormonal background decreases and the inner layer of the uterus is rejected. Another menstruation is coming.

Can you have periods and pregnancy at the same time?

The expectant mother in the first month may not be aware of her new position. The fact is that conception occurs approximately in the middle of the cycle, the fetal egg takes from seven to fifteen days to implant in the endometrium of the uterus, and the hormonal background during this period may not have time to change. Or the onset of fetal development coincides with a decrease in estrogen levels, so spotting appears. The ability of the embryo to take root depends on the stability of the hormonal background, and pregnancy and menstruation are a common situation in the first period of gestation.

Still, one should distinguish between normal menstruation and bloody discharge during fertilization, which are minor, spotting outflows. The presence of habitual menstruation against the background of the birth of a new life is an alarming signal, often indicating problems in embryonic development, the threat of miscarriage, and pathology of the course of pregnancy. Habitual menstruation and pregnancy at the same time at any time are a cause for concern and referral to a gynecologist. Provoking, dangerous factors are:

  • in the body of a woman, an insufficient amount of progesterone is produced to ensure the normal course of pregnancy;
  • the level of androgen (male hormone) is greatly overestimated, which contributes to the detachment of the fetal egg;
  • poor blood supply to the fetal egg with an unfavorable implantation site, leading to rejection;
  • genetic causes that stop the development of the embryo, causing spontaneous abortion;
  • ectopic pregnancy.

All of these situations create a real threat of miscarriage, and a timely visit to the doctor and the exact implementation of his recommendations can serve as a guarantee of maintaining the pregnancy.

Pregnancy and periods and negative test

Not the onset of the next menstruation is a clear sign of the conception that has occurred. Most of the fair sex use a rapid test to confirm the fact of pregnancy. But what if there is a suspicion of pregnancy and spotting appears? Menstrual bleeding does not affect the quality of the test, which reacts to the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the quantitative content of which initially increases in the blood, and then in the urine. The plausibility of the result will depend on the gestational age and the sensitivity of the test itself. The most accurate data can be obtained from a blood test in early pregnancy.

Situations when a woman notes pregnancy and menstruation, and a negative test indicate errors:

  • test with low sensitivity (check the result in a week);
  • strictly follow the instructions for use (test in the morning, use the first portion of urine);
  • do not drink a lot of liquid at night, which reduces the level of hCG and reduces the reliability of the result;
  • observe the rules of sterility.

In the first months of bearing a child, there may be discharge like menstruation, so visit a gynecologist.

Pregnancy and missed periods

Experts distinguish the signs of the onset of conception into dubious and probable nature.

Doubtful early signs include:

  • morning sickness/vomiting, change in taste preferences;
  • changes even perversions in olfactory sensations;
  • a change in the psycho-emotional background - mood swings, increased irritability, drowsiness, dizziness;
  • pigments on the face, white line of the abdomen, around the nipples;
  • frequent urge to urinate;
  • growth of the abdomen in volume, due to intestinal bloating;
  • engorgement / engorgement of the mammary glands.

Possible early signs include:

  • amenorrhea - delayed menstruation;
  • the mammary glands are enlarged, tense;
  • blue skin is found on the vaginal mucosa and cervix;
  • the size, shape and consistency of the uterus change closer to the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy.

It should be noted that pregnancy and delayed menstruation, as well as changes in the volume of the mammary glands and uterus, can be observed in the absence of fertilization. Therefore, it is necessary to do a test (it works from the first day of the delay with a regular cycle) or take a blood test (in the first days of the expected delay). You can also conduct an ultrasound diagnosis, which allows you to detect a fetal egg a week after the delay.

Confirmed pregnancy and menstruation are considered as a sign of early pregnancy interruption.

Signs of menstruation and pregnancy

About half of women worldwide are familiar with the concept of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Discomfort is as individual as every woman is unique.

Experts attribute PMS to a set of disorders of a neuropsychic, vegetative-vascular, metabolic-endocrine nature. The most common cause of the problem is an imbalance of female hormones - estrogen and progesterone, as a result of: abortion, incorrect contraception, diseases of the genital area, pathology during pregnancy, etc. A number of doctors point to the relationship of PMS with problems of water-salt metabolism, the presence of beriberi, and a lack of vitamins in the female body.

Common signs of PMS:

  • sleep disturbance (insomnia, "broken" state during the day);
  • feeling of nausea, vomiting, bloating;
  • soreness / swelling of the mammary glands;
  • weight gain;
  • pain syndrome of a pulling type in the pelvic region, lower back;
  • behavioral changes - irritation, depression, isolation, etc.

From the above, we can conclude that the signs of menstruation and early pregnancy are identical. Therefore, if the next menstruation has not come, there is a suspicion of pregnancy. It can be problematic to independently determine the fact of fertilization, it is better to visit a gynecologist.

Pain and menstruation during pregnancy

Pregnancy and menstruation are mutually exclusive concepts. However, a woman in position may observe slight discharge at the beginning of gestation. They provoke such a deviation from the norm: hormonal disruptions, the process of introducing a fetal egg into the uterine cavity, or other easily correctable situations (subject to timely consultation with a gynecologist). In the first months, a woman may also feel slight discomfort in the lower abdomen and lower back, as during menstruation. Beginning changes in the body lead to pulling pains, which are considered the norm during the period of implantation of the fetal egg.

The presence of pain and menstruation during pregnancy is a bad sign. Firstly, the development of the embryo outside the uterine cavity may be the cause. Do not postpone a visit to the doctor, especially if you have dizziness, nausea, fainting, severe bleeding, acute and cramping pain syndrome. Similar sensations are observed in the case of a miscarriage. The pain is cramping, aching in nature with a return to the lumbar region and is accompanied by bloody discharge.

Pain and blood may indicate premature separation of the placenta, which is fraught with miscarriage. Call emergency medical help to save the life of you and your baby.

Pregnancy with a spiral and menstruation

An intrauterine device is used as an effective method of contraception. The possibility of fertilization in this case is 1-2%, and the reason is the exit of the spiral from the body of the uterus. The contraceptive ability of the spiral is based on the application of micro abrasions to the inner layer of the uterus. Therefore, after fertilization, the probability of spontaneous miscarriage is high. In addition to increased tone, it is possible to attach a fetal egg outside the uterine endometrium. The presence of an intrauterine device at times increases the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy. The development of the embryo in the immediate vicinity of the helix will also lead to termination of pregnancy.

Pregnancy with a spiral and menstruation is a very likely fact. Only menstruation is more correctly called bleeding, and conception occurs either outside the uterine cavity, or the place of attachment of the embryo will be unsuccessful, contributing to early termination of pregnancy. The use of an intrauterine device leaves the body of the uterus ajar, which contributes to the unhindered penetration of pathogenic microflora into its cavity.

Menstruation and pregnancy

Take for example the female cycle of 28 days. The highest probability of conception falls on the interval of 10-17 days (the so-called "fertile window"). Recall that the first day of the menstrual cycle is the moment when blood discharge appears. The chances of getting pregnant before and after this period are almost zero. The possibility of fertilization is higher after menstruation with a peak in the middle of the cycle.

Until recently, such calculations were widely used by women as a "natural contraceptive method." Modern medicine questions this method for obvious reasons:

  • often in women (25-35 years old), even with a stable cycle, spontaneous ovulation occurs, which has been proven by numerous studies;
  • the possibility of becoming pregnant persists during menstruation;
  • as a result of hormonal disruptions, cycle disorders are often observed (reasons - stress, overstrain, change of residence, etc.).

The monthly cycle and pregnancy are physiological processes that are closely related and controlled by hormones. In the first phase of the cycle, for which the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is responsible, the follicle matures and the uterine mucosa is renewed. FSH activates the production of estrogen in the ovaries and the maturation of follicles, one of which will become dominant (an egg will mature in it). When the egg is mature, FSH levels decrease when the signal from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland is reached. The ovulation stage begins and the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) begins. The follicle bursts and an egg ready for fertilization comes out of it. The second phase of the menstrual cycle proceeds under the influence of LH, which forms the corpus luteum (progesterone is produced in it) at the site of the ruptured follicle. Progesterone prepares the endometrium of the uterus for conception by increasing the flow of fluid and nutrients, reducing the contractile activity of the uterus. After the introduction of the fetal egg as a result of fertilization, the corpus luteum is transformed into the body of pregnancy. If conception does not occur, the concentration of progesterone decreases, the uterine mucosa is torn off and is brought out with menstrual bleeding.

Breast during pregnancy and menstruation

Each woman is individual and the signs of the onset of conception in each case have their own characteristics. However, there are common distinctive symptoms, among which the dominant role is assigned to the delay in menstruation.

As you know, pregnancy and menstruation are under the influence of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Hormonal changes in a woman's body lead to discomfort in the chest. An increase in the mammary glands, an intense rush of blood to them increases sensitivity, often causes pain syndromes.

Since the breasts undergo similar changes during pregnancy and menstruation, it can be problematic to distinguish one condition from another. Before the onset of menstruation, there is severe swelling, soreness of the nipples. As for the period of the onset of gestation, in addition to pain, a pulling sensation, often a venous network appears in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe mammary glands, the nipples and the area around them become hypersensitive and darker in color.

Sex and periods during pregnancy

The issue of intimate relationships between spouses at the time of expectation of the baby is decided on an individual basis. Important are the recommendations of the gynecologist. In the case of a medical ban, it is better to avoid physical intimacy to exclude problems with bearing.

The onset of pregnancy occurs in conditions of colossal hormonal changes that can reduce the production of secretion in the vagina, increase the vulnerability of the walls, and also lead to a drop in immunity. If you are not toxic and sex remains an important part of your life, you should use a condom to keep pathogens out. In the first months of gestation, frequent intimacy can provoke a miscarriage. Prohibiting factors can be uterine hypertonicity, bloody discharge from the vagina. Increased sensitivity of the mammary glands will require partners to pay more attention to mutual feelings.

Sex and menstruation during pregnancy must be discussed at the doctor's appointment, which may introduce some restrictions, adjust the degree of sexual activity and other recommendations. The appearance of pain syndromes, spotting is a dangerous signal in the first trimester, requiring a mandatory gynecological examination.

Sex is considered undesirable when there is a threat of termination of pregnancy, with presentation / low attachment, or the risk of placental rejection. If the onset of pregnancy and menstruation in the form of minor discharge are supported by the results of tests for the presence of infection, both spouses should undergo treatment.

Late-term sexual intercourse is generally not acceptable. The seminal fluid contains substances that stimulate labor activity.

Ectopic pregnancy and periods

The development of pregnancy outside the uterine cavity can occur in the tube, ovary or peritoneum. Medicine also knows a combined pregnancy, when part of the fetal egg is located in the uterus, and the other is outside it. The number of tubal pregnancies reaches 95% of all cases.

Speaking about the causes of such pathologies, doctors most often indicate the presence of adhesions in the fallopian tubes. The ovum after fertilization is not able, due to its large size, to bypass the barrier that prevents penetration into the uterine cavity. Embryonic development continues in the tube until space allows, after which a miscarriage or rupture of the fallopian tube is observed.

Pregnancy outside the uterus is always difficult to diagnose early. Neither ultrasound examination nor gynecological examination helps. Ectopic pregnancy and menstruation, as well as the clinical picture described by the patient, are secondary signs of pathology recognition. Symptoms of embryonic development outside the uterine cavity include:

  • pain syndrome of the lower abdomen;
  • discomfort in the rectum;
  • painful intercourse;
  • discharge of blood from the vagina, the absence of normal menstruation.

The presence of fluid in the posterior fornix, as well as a positive reaction to chorionic gonadotropin, the indicators of which are stable over time, are a reason to suspect an ectopic pregnancy.

Pregnancy and menstruation, or rather heavy bleeding, accompanied by a severe pain syndrome leading to fainting, can be fatal. A rupture of the fallopian tube occurs at lightning speed, so you should quickly call for emergency medical care.

Pregnancy before and after periods

The menstrual cycle is divided into three phases: follicular, ovulatory and luteal, each of which introduces changes in the structure and functional features of the endometrium of the uterus and ovaries. The first stage is preparation for possible fertilization, the second (1-2 days) is favorable for conception. Pregnancy and menstruation are under the clear guidance of hormones. Therefore, the development of the third phase of the cycle is characterized by the creation of favorable conditions for the implantation of the fetal egg, if fertilization has occurred, or the rejection of the uterine epithelium with the appearance of blood, if pregnancy has not occurred.

The probability of conception is maximum during the period of ovulation, the onset of which cannot always be calculated independently due to the irregularity of the monthly cycle. Ultrasound diagnostics and daily measurements of basal temperature come to the rescue. The latter requires attentiveness from a woman, even pedantry, which in an era of employment, not every woman can do.

As it turned out, everything is possible in medical practice: pregnancy before menstruation and after, even during menstrual bleeding. The following factors increase the possibility of conception after menstruation:

  • a cycle with a duration of less than 21 days;
  • bleeding for more than 7 days increases the possibility of the release of a mature egg in the last days of discharge;
  • the absence of a regular cycle, when it is unrealistic to predict the period of ovulation;
  • the presence of intermenstrual bleeding;
  • the phenomenon of spontaneous ovulation.

It is believed that the first two days of menstruation are the most "safe". In this case, the survivability of the spermatozoon in the female body should be taken into account for up to seven days.

Irregular menstruation and pregnancy

According to statistics, about 5% of the female population has an unsteady menstrual cycle. The advice of doctors in this situation applies to an active lifestyle, reducing stressful moments, taking special contraceptives or hormones that regulate menstruation.

Irregular menstruation and pregnancy is a delicate issue with a possible favorable resolution of no more than 20%. The main difficulty in planning conception is the inability to predict ovulation due to jumps in the monthly cycle. According to doctors, with increasing age in such women, the chances decrease even more. So in the interval of 33-44 years, the probability of fertilization does not exceed 13%.

An interesting fact is that some doctors recommend regular and frequent sex when planning a pregnancy, while others, on the contrary, believe that with an increase in the intensity of sexual activity, sperm activity decreases. Whatever both of them say, conception is considered a "gift from heaven", and the passionate desire to become a parent and the ability to give love work their little miracles.

Irregular periods and pregnancy

About 40% of all cases of female infertility are associated with irregular menstruation, its absence or abnormal bleeding. With these problems, ovulation does not occur. Such anomalies are called anovulation and are treated with fertility drugs. As practice shows, these pathologies of the menstrual cycle cannot be solved without checking the functions of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pituitary gland.

With an irregular cycle, it is possible to find out about the onset of ovulation only by measuring basal temperature. This will be indicated by an increase in the value of rectal temperature, therefore, on the same day of the next month, you should schedule standard tests to detect ovulation. A more reliable method for determining ovulation is ultrasound, which monitors the growth and rupture of the follicle. Sometimes the only way to plan conception.

Pregnancy and menstruation are inseparable processes. The beginning of menstruation indicates the readiness of the female body for conception, gestation and childbirth, and the irregularity of the cycle complicates and postpones the joy of motherhood. Problems with menstruation are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, which occurs as a result of hormonal imbalance. In this case, there is an increase, the presence of cysts on the ovaries. An important factor is the presence of stress in a woman's life.

Irregular periods and pregnancy are a task for gynecologists and endocrinologists. If the desire to become a mother is great, then a simple way can help - a regular sex life without fear, nervousness and doubt.

Scanty periods and pregnancy

Few of the modern fair sex can boast of an ideal hormonal background. Failures of the monthly cycle occur due to frequent emotional or physical overload, malnutrition, change of time zones, stressful situations, etc. Hormonal disorders, pregnancy and menstruation are directly related. If the amount of progesterone is not enough, then there is a risk of detachment of the fetal egg. The situation is improving by taking medications.

At the beginning of gestation, women sometimes notice slight discharge, the appearance of which gynecologists associate with the moment the embryo is introduced into the uterine mucosa. Scanty periods and early pregnancy are an acceptable situation if it is not accompanied by pain and is controlled by a doctor. The reason for this phenomenon may be the presence of polyps on the surface of the endometrium, the unevenness of the mucous layer, a number of diseases (for example, endometriosis), etc.

Slight discharge of scarlet or brownish color may indicate the development of the fetus outside the uterine cavity. This condition is dangerous for a woman, requires surgical intervention, therefore, if any type of vaginal discharge appears, you should consult a gynecologist.

Abundant periods and pregnancy

According to gynecologists, pregnancy and menstruation are incompatible phenomena. If there is spotting after conception, then they are called bleeding. Smearing, meager outflows at the beginning of gestation occur in half of pregnant women and, as a rule, are not a pathology. Such deviations from the norm cause hormonal disorders, damage to the endometrium during the introduction of the fetal egg, overvoltage and other factors.

Abundant menstruation and pregnancy against the background of severe pain are unacceptable. These symptoms indicate:

  • spontaneous abortion - abundant discharge, often scarlet, backed by pain in the lower abdomen and lower back;
  • pregnancy fading - the embryo stops developing due to genetic pathologies;
  • the conception of an embryo outside the uterine cavity - the discharge can be strong (with a rupture of the fallopian tube) or absent altogether. The pain is cramping in nature, the attack leads to loss of consciousness and a sharp decrease in pressure;
  • placental presentation - the placement of the placenta closer to the internal pharynx is often accompanied by severe bleeding, threatening miscarriage.

Absence of menstruation and pregnancy

Long periods without menstruation or amenorrhea - does not always indicate problems of a gynecological, endocrine or neurological nature. An example of a physiological variant of the norm would be the period of gestation, lactation, puberty and menopause.

There are primary, when menstruation was not observed until the age of 16, and secondary amenorrhea - a delay of up to six months or more in a woman of childbearing age without fertilization. The reason for the absence of menstruation can be: genetic abnormalities, disorders of the pituitary gland, brain and hypothalamus, dieting, increased physical or emotional stress, endocrine problems, etc.

The absence of menstruation and pregnancy is a task that a gynecologist and endocrinologist is involved in. Complications of cycle disorder:

  • infertility;
  • early detection of age-related diseases against the background of estrogen deficiency - osteoporosis, diabetes, problems of the cardiovascular system;
  • increased risk of cancer of the genital area;
  • upon the onset of pregnancy - the threat of miscarriage at the beginning of gestation, premature labor, diabetes during pregnancy, preeclampsia.

Periods with clots and pregnancy

Pregnancy and menstruation are mutually exclusive concepts, therefore, if any kind of spotting is found, it is better to visit a gynecologist.

Periods with clots and pregnancy are a reason for immediate medical attention. Such bleeding can be a harbinger of a miscarriage. At the same time, scarlet discharge with severe pain, weakness, temperature, and possible vomiting.

The presence of a hematoma that provokes detachment of the fetal egg will be indicated by a brownish discharge. The effusions are smearing in nature, and clots may also be present.

Pain of a cramping type is inherent in spontaneous abortion. The process causes bleeding with clots or tissue fragments, which can occur in the first weeks of gestation.

When pregnancy fades, profuse bleeding with thick inclusions can open.

Bleeding of a dark color with clots against the background of abdominal pain and uterine tone is a common picture of placental abruption. Fortunately, complete rejection of the placenta is rare.

Pregnancy and menstruation cause anxiety for expectant mothers, and a timely visit to the gynecologist helps to avoid unnecessary nervousness and problems with bearing.

What to do if you are pregnant and you are on your period?

According to gynecologists, pregnancy and menstruation are incompatible things. Bloody discharge in the process of gestation, doctors refer to bleeding, which requires a mandatory examination and identification of its causes.

Progesterone is called the "hormone of pregnancy" and helps the embryo to take root in the mother's body. With its deficiency, after conception, spotting may occur, which poses a threat of termination of pregnancy. A timely appeal to a gynecologist allows you to eliminate the violation of progesterone production and give birth to a healthy baby.

  • Cases when pregnancy has come and menstruation is going on are also explained:
  • unsuccessful attachment of the embryo in the uterine cavity (there is fibroids, endometriosis, etc.);
  • in the process of implantation of the fetal egg, minor damage to the endometrium occurred;
  • a woman has an excess of male hormones (hyperandrogenism), as a result of which the fetal egg detaches;
  • as a result of pathologies of fetal development, ectopic pregnancy;
  • at the birth of two embryos, one of them was rejected.

The presence of spotting or profuse bleeding from the vagina, especially against the background of severe pain (of any nature - pulling, cramping, girdle) requires an immediate visit to a gynecologist or an emergency call for medical care at home. Some conditions, like rupture of the fallopian tube as a result of the development of the embryo outside the uterus, are the most dangerous. Therefore, an immediate response and prompt intervention is needed.

Is this really possible? This question is often asked by women who have a first pregnancy. Why does this happen, who and what threatens the unborn child? Let's figure it out.

Bleeding in early pregnancy

Theoretically, menstruation in a normal pregnancy is not possible. But sometimes they occur approximately in those periods when, according to the schedule, menstruation should begin. The nature of such bleeding is significantly different from the traditional menstruation for a woman. This makes us wary, because such a situation is a deviation from the norm and requires medical intervention.

Sometimes menstruation in the early stages mislead a woman. She thinks that everything in the body is on schedule and is unaware of her pregnancy. The situation is sometimes aggravated by the fact that a pregnancy test also gives a negative result. Therefore, situations arise when pregnant women up to 3-4 months do not know about their situation. Yes, this is more of an exception than the rule. But women should be aware of such situations. After all, early diagnosis of pregnancy is always the main factor in its preservation.

In order to argue the impossibility of menstruation during pregnancy, you need to remember the anatomy. The uterus of a woman consists of an outer mucous layer, a middle and an inner mucous layer (). Each of them fulfills its purpose. The movable layer of the uterus, the endometrium, grows in the 1st half of the cycle in order to maintain pregnancy. That is, the thickening of the endometrium is the basis for the normal attachment of the fetal egg to the uterus. During the period of menstruation, the endometrium is completely rejected, because pregnancy has not occurred, and there is no need to create conditions for attaching a fertilized egg. Mucus, blood comes out of the uterus with menstruation. Thinking logically, one can understand that the rejection of the endometrium during pregnancy in the form of bleeding can lead to miscarriage, since the fetal egg can also be rejected. It turns out that menstruation during pregnancy is impossible, this is a pathology. And when they talk about bleeding during pregnancy, they mean a threatening situation for both the fetus and the expectant mother.

Causes of bleeding during pregnancy

Bleeding during childbearing is always a deviation from the norm. However, sometimes (!) this situation is not so threatening. We are talking about a small bleeding during the period of attachment of the fetal egg. After all, this important process is sometimes accompanied by a slight damage to the blood vessels inside the uterus, the consequence of which is spotting.

Scanty bleeding during pregnancy can be when a fertilized egg does not have time to attach to the endometrium of the uterus. Hormonal changes are not observed during this period, the cancellation of menstruation does not occur, and the delay occurs only in the next cycle, that is, a month later.

Another reason for possible “menstruation” during pregnancy may be hormonal imbalances. This is corrected by hormonal therapy, which is prescribed by the attending physician.

Consequences of menstruation during pregnancy

In early pregnancy, pseudomenstruation, as a rule, is an indicator of detachment of the fetal egg. This may result in self-abortion. With a small detachment and the timely start of treatment, the problem can be dealt with. In difficult cases, when bleeding is profuse, it is necessary to apply a course of intensive therapy with bed rest and medical supervision. Compliance with these rules is a decisive factor in the preservation of the child.

A deplorable diagnosis in which pregnant women have menstruation may be. Then the attachment of the fertilized egg does not occur in the uterus, and as the fetus grows in the fallopian tube, where it is often attached, it may break. In this case, the woman is threatened with internal bleeding with possible restrictions on childbearing function in the future.

Especially for Elena TOLOCHIK

From Guest

I have been having periods for a very long time. And only when I noticed that I had put on weight I turned to the doctor, where I was diagnosed with pregnancy. With that, the discharge continued until the 28th week. I was under the supervision of doctors all the time, gave birth to a healthy baby, he is now 2 years old.


4.5

Approximate reading time: 8 minutes

With the onset of the period of fertility, the female body goes through a cycle of renewal every month to remain ready for the birth and development of a new life. But each organism is unique and the reaction to its functional manifestations is ambiguous. Some people look forward to the start of menstruation and react to the delay with anxiety, while others, on the contrary, rejoice at the delay. But none of the options is of absolute importance, since the onset of menstruation does not mean the absence of pregnancy, and a delay does not guarantee its presence.

So, questions like: can menstruation go during early pregnancy, how to determine pregnancy if menstruation is going on, what is the difference between menstruation during pregnancy, and many others, remain relevant and topical, perhaps, for every woman.

So, can you have periods during pregnancy?

The opinion of obstetrician-gynecologists on this issue is unanimous - in the usual sense, menstruation during pregnancy is impossible. This is due to the peculiarities and the very essence of the process of menstruation, designed to maintain the female body in an optimal state for pregnancy and childbirth.

Menstruation is a process of rejection of the inner layer of the uterus (endometrium), which has a cyclical nature. It is precisely the layer into which the fetal egg is introduced for the occurrence of pregnancy that is rejected. This is a signal to the body that the pregnancy expected this month has not occurred and a restart of the preparation process is required. Therefore, it is logical that the process of menstruation will remove the endometrium from the body along with the fetal egg, which will lead to a miscarriage.

However, there is no “but” here ...

You can often hear about female logic, and so, it has its reflection not only in the mental sphere, but also in the physiological one. There are a number of circumstances and

situations in which various spotting is possible, so often taken by a woman for menstruation, during pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to understand

when the discharge is still menstruation, and in what cases is bleeding, and why it happens that the menstruation has passed, but the signs of pregnancy remain.

Menstruation during pregnancy

Quite common are stories in which an “interesting situation” becomes apparent to a woman after a rather long time, sometimes in the third or fourth month. If we are talking about a woman with anatomical features of the structure of the reproductive system (for example, a bicornuate uterus), then everything is clear. With this anomaly, pregnancy often occurs in one cavity, while the other continues to function normally for some time; the process of stopping menstruation in it may stop after several cycles.

In other cases, the ambiguity of understanding among specialists and expectant mothers of the fact of pregnancy is to blame. According to most women, pregnancy occurs a couple of days after intercourse without the use of contraceptives. But this is a delusion. The process of attaching the ovum itself lasts from 6 to 15 days, and before that, fertilization must occur. Therefore, if fertilization occurred closer to the end of the cycle with late ovulation, the fetal egg simply did not have time to penetrate into the endometrium. Thus, questions like: at the beginning of pregnancy, can menstruation go or can menstruation go after conception, in the ordinary sense, you can give an affirmative answer. Under normal conditions, this is possible if:

  • the fetal egg did not have time to implant in the uterine wall after conception;
  • fertilization of one of the mature eggs occurred, and the other died.

Another option in which menstruation during pregnancy is possible is the use of special medications or some traditional medicine. In connection with all of the above, it is obvious that the onset of menstruation in an “interesting position” deprives this position of “interestingness”. In other words, it terminates the pregnancy. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a woman to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy in a similar way. It is important to remember that in this case, as in any other health-related situation, consultation and supervision by a specialist is necessary. Attempts to independently resolve the issue of pregnancy in this vein can be dangerous and even fatal.

Duration of menstruation during pregnancy

It is quite logical that with the existing probability of menstruation and pregnancy, every woman will be interested in how many months menstruation can go during pregnancy.

The plural is completely inappropriate here. If a woman does not have an anomaly in the development of the genital organs, then menstruation is possible only at the very beginning in early pregnancy. In other cases, if discomfort occurs and any discharge appears, no matter if they are plentiful or scarce, bright or mild, a woman should immediately contact an obstetrician-gynecologist.

If not monthly then what?

Can there be pregnancy during menstruation and what symptoms accompany it, if experts unanimously claim that menstruation during pregnancy is impossible, then how to explain spotting and what they can be associated with?

As safe cases of blood discharge, the following can be called:

  • Attachment of the fetal egg, as the uterine wall is damaged;
  • After a gynecological examination or sexual intercourse, due to blood flow to the pelvic organs;
  • The discharge of the mucous plug in the last stages of pregnancy signals the imminent onset of labor.

For such "safe" selections there are characteristic features:

  • short duration and smearing character,
  • low intensity and scarcity;
  • more often it is not blood, but brownish or pinkish mucus with bloody patches and streaks;
  • relationship of events: immediately after sex or gynecological examination.

In the case of more abundant or pronounced discharge, as well as the presence of discomfort or pain, you should immediately seek the advice of a specialist.

Bloody discharge of any nature and intensity poses a threat to pregnancy, and should not accompany it. Most often, their presence signals a danger to the expectant mother and the pregnancy process.

Hazardous emissions, their causes and consequences

The most dangerous is the first trimester of pregnancy. This is a period of high probability of abortion for many factors. One of them is the possibility of menstruation and, as a result, the unknown fact of pregnancy for a pregnant woman. A significant contribution to the likelihood of bleeding during this period is made by hormonal disorders (low progesterone, high androgen levels) in a woman's body, caused both by individual physiology and oral contraceptives. Another source of menstrual-like discharge is a “frozen” pregnancy, the fact of which not only requires urgent hospitalization, but also a “cleansing”. Also, the cause of menstruation in the early stages can be placental rejection, which also means a fatal outcome of pregnancy.

Overcoming the first trimester of pregnancy does not exclude the possibility of spotting. Despite the fact that with previous therapy, the hormonal issue is usually removed by this time, there remains a high risk of placental problems (placental abruption or placenta previa). A high risk factor and a source of spotting can be vaginal infections, which often result in pathogenetic changes in the fetus. As a result, the pregnancy is almost impossible to save.

The third trimester as a source of menstrual flow also has a high probability of placental problems, just like the previous period.

Menstruation during ectopic pregnancy

Despite the fact that, as the name implies, this type of pregnancy develops outside the uterus, with it, like with any other form of pregnancy, menstruation must stop due to hormonal changes.

Most often, in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, the fetal egg is attached to the fallopian tube, which later leads to tragic consequences. As the fetus grows, the tube becomes traumatized, leading to spontaneous abortion or extensive internal bleeding due to rupture of the tube. As a result, a threat to the life of a woman and the truncation of her further reproductive ability.

Ectopic pregnancy in the early stages is most often accompanied by the appearance of scanty brown and bloody vaginal discharge, which is often mistaken for the onset of menstruation. Moreover, if the appearance of discharge coincides with the onset of menstruation, a woman may not even suspect a probable pregnancy.

Other self-diagnosing signs of an ectopic pregnancy are:

  • significantly reduced volume of menstruation;
  • lethargy, passivity, low blood pressure, dizziness and loss of consciousness;
  • pain in the pelvic area (most often in the projection on one of the fallopian tubes, the pain is reflected in the rectum and lower back).

At the slightest suspicion of such a deviation, you should immediately undergo a full medical examination. After all, the sooner the problem can be detected, the less traumatic and painful the treatment will be.

Summing up

After all of the above, the question of whether there can be periods during early pregnancy can be answered as follows: they can, but they should not. The presence of any discharge similar to menstruation during pregnancy is an alarming sign that requires a woman to take the most serious attitude and immediate response.

Any deviation from the normal state of health and the physiological schedule without apparent explainable reasons can be dangerous and lead to a sad ending.

It is important to remember that the human body is a mystery, and here it is very important to seek advice and help from a knowledgeable specialist qualified in their field in time, and not to self-medicate and self-diagnose at your own peril and risk.