Pregnancy during menstruation. Can there be periods during pregnancy? "Monthly" during pregnancy: how to distinguish them from normal menstruation

Sometimes women in position find signs of menstruation, i.e., vaginal spotting. Can there be menstruation during pregnancy, is it dangerous or quite acceptable? What do experts in gynecology and obstetrics say about this?

Physiologically, the appearance of menstruation in pregnant women is by no means a characteristic symptom. After all, in fact, menstruation is an exfoliating endometrium that grows on the uterine wall in the first half of the cycle. If conception does not occur, then it breaks up and comes out in the form of menstrual flow. If fertilization occurs, then the endometrium, on the contrary, is strengthened to provide the baby with additional protection. Therefore, menstruation does not occur during pregnancy. If, however, menstruation during early pregnancy nevertheless began, then the woman is frightened, since the symptom indicates a spontaneous interruption. And if the spouses have been waiting for conception for a long time, then such a circumstance is seriously frustrating and unsettling.

Usually, menstruation is presented by patients as any vaginal discharge, which is not entirely true, because the source of bleeding can be different. How do periods come? Under the influence of the progesterone hormone, or rather, against the background of its decrease, towards the end of the cycle, it begins to exfoliate, menstruation begins. Every month the menstrual cycle repeats, the endometrial layer grows again and again comes out with menstruation.

Therefore, if a pregnant woman has menstruation, that is, the endometrium has begun to come out, then it is impossible to talk about the normal development of the fetus. But in practice, it often happens that patients learn about conception only at 3-4 months, because their menstruation had gone on time before that. Why do periods occur during pregnancy?

Origin of bleeding

In fact, menstruation during early pregnancy, or rather, uterine bleeding, can begin for a variety of reasons.

• The threat of an impending miscarriage;
• The death of the embryo;
• Development of an ectopic pregnancy;
• Features of the uterine structure, for example, bicornuate, etc.

The threat of miscarriage is accompanied by mostly scanty, dark discharge, which is complemented by pulling soreness, similar to premenstrual pain. If the death of the embryo occurred, then there may be no signs for a long time. A positive factor is the appearance of symptoms that help to notice problems with pregnancy early. Similar signs of menstruation during early pregnancy include acute pain and smearing dark discharge, softening of the mammary gland, etc.

The ectopic location of the embryo is also accompanied by pain at the site of implantation of the fetal egg, and with physical exertion and movement, the pain, as a rule, only intensifies. In such cases, there are not very heavy periods during pregnancy with dark blood. If the bleeding is strong and prolonged, then this may indicate the beginning of the process of spontaneous detachment of the embryo. It is also impossible to exclude the possibility that the unusual structure of the uterus can become the cause of bleeding. For example, with a bicornuate structure of the uterus, the fetus is implanted in only one part of it, while the other continues to menstruate monthly. Of course, this state of affairs cannot be considered normal, but menstruation in the early stages of pregnancy with such a feature is quite understandable.

Another situation may also occur when a woman had sexual intimacy, and soon menstruation came, then there was no unprotected contact, but the woman was able to become pregnant. This is possible if pregnancy has already occurred at the time of menstruation, this happens with late ovulation. Hormonal processes do not yet have time to start, so bleeding begins on the scheduled days. It was just that the fertilized cell was sent to the uterus when menstruation began in early pregnancy. Which is quite understandable, because the completed conception is considered the time during the implantation period, when the cell is fully fixed in the uterine wall, and not the moment of fertilization of the cell by sperm.

If the fact of pregnancy has already been confirmed by tests and ultrasound, then any menstruation at the beginning of pregnancy and even a slight spotting of blood should be considered as a serious deviation requiring a doctor's examination.

Heavy menstruation with clots in pregnant women

Usually, cases associated with menstruation during pregnancy, whatever they may be, indicate a threat of interruption or a miscarriage that has already begun. Rejection can be caused by various factors such as:

In such situations, they do not say that menstruation occurs during pregnancy, since we are talking about uterine bleeding. If a pregnant woman has profuse bleeding with impurities of blood clots or there is only one large clot, brown dark scanty periods appear during pregnancy, then you need to call an ambulance. Similar manifestations of pregnancy can begin with the threat of spontaneous abortion, ectopic fixation of the embryo or its death. For a long time, such a clinical picture indicates placental presentation or detachment. Pathological bleeding is accompanied by intense pain and hyperthermia, malaise and nausea.

Pregnant women have menstrual flow after sex

Classical sexual intimacy is not dangerous and cannot cause a miscarriage. But in some patients, brownish discharge may begin after this. These are not ordinary periods, but bleeding due to more abundant blood flow to the small pelvis, due to which the mucous tissues become much more sensitive, therefore they are easily damaged during sexual contact. Usually, such smears are not dangerous, but it is still worth talking with a gynecologist about this. If noticeable bleeding occurs after each intimacy, then you will have to abstain from sex for the time being.

You should undergo a gynecological examination, find out if there are deviations, whether sexual intercourse is possible during further gestation, etc. If the obstetrician-gynecologist does not reveal any pathologies, then you can resume sexual life. In such a situation, it is better to use panty liners to understand the color of the discharge and its abundance. The doctor will need this information to more accurately assess the condition. But the use of tampons should be abandoned. If, in addition to blood, large clots and pieces of tissue are released from the vagina, nausea-vomiting attacks and dizziness, severe pain in the uterus, immediate medical intervention is required.

Menstruation with ectopic

With an ectopic location of the fetal egg, implantation most often occurs in the fallopian tube. In fact, conception occurs, therefore, hormonal processes also start, the content of chorionic gonadotropin increases. Therefore, the menstruation also stops. But the first weeks may be disturbed by a bloody brown daub, which a woman mistakenly takes for menstruation. The outcome of such an ectopic pregnancy can be reduced to spontaneous detachment of the fetal egg and abortion, or rupture of the fallopian tube. Can menstruation occur during pregnancy? In such a situation, any outcome is accompanied by profuse bleeding, the consequences of which can be sad. This is why identifying early pathology is vital.

It often happens that bleeding coincides with the next menstruation, which prevents a woman from noticing an interesting situation in time. After all, she believes that menstruation began during pregnancy, which she does not know about. But an ectopic can be recognized by other signs:

• Hypotension;
• Weakness;
• Frequent fainting and dizziness;
• Attacks of severe pain in the region of one of the tubes, reflected by lumbar and rectal pains;
• There may be periods during pregnancy outside the uterus, but they become scarce.

If there are suspicions of ectopic gestation, it is necessary to be examined, undergo ultrasound diagnostics, and pass laboratory tests for the determination of hCG. These measures will help determine if pregnancy is possible.

Features of bleeding during gestation

To distinguish uterine bleeding from menstrual bleeding, you need to know for sure which periods are typical for pregnancy. Being confident in the absence of conception, the patient should be alert for any deviation from the norm. For example, the duration of menstruation noticeably increased, the nature of the discharge changed, they became plentiful or scarce, or began to occur between menstruation, etc. Such signs are accompanied by severe pain, poor health, which requires a mandatory visit to the doctor.

You can have periods during pregnancy. They can be distinguished from bleeding in several ways. For example, they are usually sparse and smearing, brown in color, often have a watery consistency with bloody streaks. Such allocations begin with delays, often quite long. Uncharacteristic signs may be present, for example, before menstruation there were painful sensations, but now they are absent. The difference with bleeding lies in how long menstrual flow can last. Real menstruation in pregnant women can be observed only in the early periods of gestation, when the patient does not yet know about the position. Such periods last no more than 2-3 cycles, although exceptions are possible.

What are the dangers of menstrual flow in pregnant women

Are there periods during pregnancy, we have already figured out. True menstruation for pregnancy does not threaten anything, but bleeding can seriously harm maternal health and the viability of the fetus. Self-diagnosis with bleeding that has appeared is inappropriate, therefore, any hints of such a symptom require urgent treatment in the LCD. Unfortunately, today pregnant women often seek advice on various forums or ask their mother or girlfriends for advice. Such stupidity leads to the fact that time is wasted and it is no longer possible to save the pregnancy.

Therefore, any changes in the patient's condition should not be ignored by the patient, whether it be the occurrence of unusual discharge, painful ailments, etc. You should immediately consult a doctor if symptoms such as:

1. Scarlet or bright red spotting;
2. Adverse bleeding symptoms in the form of nausea and vomiting and severe sharp pains in the uterus or on the side of it;
3. Pieces or clots present in the composition of the secretions;
4. Excessive pallor and dizziness, marked weakness or fainting, headaches, etc.

The presumptive diagnosis for such manifestations may be pathologies such as ectopic pregnancy, cystic drift, spontaneous abortion, etc.

When there's nothing to worry about

Any bleeding, if a woman is in a position, cannot be the norm, but still there are situations when there is nothing to worry about. Minor bloody smears can occur with hormonal disorders and during the implantation of a fertilized egg, during pregnancy immediately before menstruation, etc. In addition, a similar phenomenon is possible in cases where two cells have matured and come out during ovulation, and only one has been fertilized.

Also, a brownish spotting may appear due to excessive levels of androgens or progesterone deficiency. Such violations are generally not dangerous, but how long they last is of no small importance; in case of serious deviations, they need to be corrected. Implantation of the ovum into the uterine walls can last quite a long time, about a couple of weeks. With such a long advance of the cell into the uterus, the hormonal status does not have time to adjust to the pregnant mood, so menstruation begins. In obstetric practice, there are enough patients who had menstruation in the first trimester.

Is it possible to get pregnant during menstruation or late ovulation

Many people think that getting pregnant during menstruation is absolutely impossible. But this opinion is not entirely correct, because experts do not exclude such a possibility at all. This is also acceptable before menstruation, when the egg, by definition, can no longer be fertilized. But this is possible due to the late onset of the ovulatory period, just before menstruation. In such a situation, the delay is observed only in the second month of gestation, and immediately after conception, normal periods will come.

Therefore, the myths regarding whether menstruation can go in the early stages are debunked. This is quite real, however, it is important to distinguish them from uterine bleeding, which is incredibly dangerous for the fetus and mother. Menstruation in the first and sometimes the second cycle is considered safe. A longer presence of spotting in pregnant patients already indicates the pathological nature of bleeding.

If this happens, keep your mind and calmness. Analyze the events of recent days, whether there was sexual intimacy, physical activity, etc. Perhaps the reason is too passionate sex. Then it is worth discussing these issues with your spouse in order to avoid undesirable consequences. And be sure to consult with an obstetrician-gynecologist to exclude the pathological origin of bleeding.

During menstruation, pregnancy is possible, because ovulation and fertilization of the egg sometimes occur at the very end of the cycle. But it should be remembered that cases of pregnancy during menstruation are still an exception, not a rule, so it is always better to check with the doctor if the bleeding that has occurred threatens the fetus?

Menstruation during pregnancy: why do they come?

It is advisable to call uterine bleeding monthly only in the first month of pregnancy. In the first month of pregnancy, menstruation is really possible, but in the following months it should no longer be.

Menstruation during pregnancy: causes

• implantation bleeding

At the moment when the fertilized egg is immersed in the endometrium, there is a slight damage to the vessels and, accordingly, scanty spotting, which can be mistaken for menstruation. Although such bleeding cannot be called menstrual, it is not dangerous and does not threaten the fetus.

• The fertilized egg did not have time to attach

If conception occurs in the middle or end of the cycle, the fetal egg may not have time to gain a foothold in the endometrium of the uterus - in this case, menstruation will occur. The path of the fetal egg to the endometrium of the uterus can take one to two weeks. Therefore, although conception has occurred, the hormonal background does not have time to rebuild and there are periods during pregnancy.

• Hormone levels dropped dramatically

As a result of an endocrine disorder, an inflammatory process, a viral infection, or stress, an estrogen background may decrease during pregnancy. In this case, spotting comes exactly at the time when the menstruation was supposed to be. Sometimes such an anomaly can continue for three to four months, increasing the risk of miscarriage!

• The release of two eggs from the ovaries at once

In rare cases, as a result of a malfunction in the body, eggs mature in both ovaries and alternately exit into the abdominal cavity. One of them meets with the sperm, forming a fetal egg, the other is rejected, causing menstruation.

Menstruation during pregnancy in the second to ninth month - are they possible?

During this period, menstruation should no longer be, any spotting is a sign of hormonal disorders leading to inflammatory diseases and the threat of miscarriage. Even if spotting begins at the fourth, eighth, 12th week of pregnancy, as if at the time of the expected menstruation, these are no longer ordinary periods, but endometrial detachment, requiring strict bed rest and medical supervision.

Do not look for signs of menstruation during pregnancy, because normally they should not be, and any bleeding should alert you. You should not write off spotting for menstruation, you need to see a doctor so that he can establish the causes of bleeding during pregnancy and help stop it and save the fetus.

Bleeding during pregnancy: causes

• Sex hormone imbalance

A deficiency of progesterone or an excess of androgens causes rejection of the ovum and scanty spotting, which are not accompanied by pain and occur mainly during the daytime and during movement. Prescribing medications is necessary to maintain pregnancy.

• Miscarriage

During a miscarriage, a woman experiences severe pulling or cramping pains in the lower abdomen, she opens scarlet bleeding. Some may mistake an incipient miscarriage for painful periods during pregnancy and stay at home. But it is worth remembering that heavy periods during pregnancy, especially accompanied by pain, are impossible, and it depends on how quickly assistance is provided, whether the pregnancy can be maintained.

• Frozen pregnancy

If the pregnancy has stopped its development due to genetic or hormonal disorders, viruses or stress, spotting or bloody discharge appears. This usually happens on the third-fourth, eighth-eleventh or 16-18th weeks.

• Ectopic pregnancy

With an ectopic pregnancy, there are monthly scanty spotting, accompanied by one-sided abdominal pain. It will not be possible to save an ectopic pregnancy, but it is important to consult a doctor in time to avoid complications and inflammation.

• Abnormal structure of the uterus

The saddle shape of the uterus, as well as its fibroids or endometriosis, can cause bleeding during pregnancy. Pregnancy with an abnormal structure of the uterus should be under the special supervision of a physician.

• Placental abruption, cervical infection

They can cause inflammation and bleeding, which the doctor will help stop by choosing a course of treatment.

No matter how comforting the legend about the possibility of menstruation during pregnancy sounds, remember that spotting with a positive pregnancy test is a reason to see a doctor as soon as possible in order to maintain the health of the mother and fetus.

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

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

But not everything is so simple. After conception, especially in the early stages, blood can really bleed, and this condition can be easily confused with menstruation. Sometimes it is abnormal bleeding that requires urgent medical attention.

Quite often, women find themselves in an incomprehensible position. It happens that a woman is sure of her pregnancy, but she starts spotting. It happens that conception is unlikely, but menstruation came after a delay, they are unusual in nature (for example, too weak or started earlier than usual). In this case, how to distinguish between menstruation and bleeding? First of all, do a pregnancy test during menstruation, which is in doubt.

Now the main thing is to establish the fact of the presence (or absence) of pregnancy as quickly and accurately as possible. For this, an express test is carried out to determine the concentration of hCG in the morning portion of urine. This is the same test that is sold in any pharmacy. Since it is spotting that causes a flurry of questions, many take a pregnancy test during menstruation, while worrying about how reliable the results will be.

How to use the test

With a monthly test, it can show the same as in their absence. In order to get a real result, and not to doubt whether the pregnancy test will show, it is important to follow all the rules for its implementation:

• on the eve of drinking less liquid, 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, thoroughly wash yourself and insert a tampon into the vagina;
• collect the first portion of urine in a sterile container;
• make sure that the test has not expired, and it has a complete package;
• lower the test strip only to the level indicated in the instructions, not deeper;
• observe the time of evaluation of 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, taking PMS for pregnancy.

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

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

Since a pregnancy test may not show, especially if it is done on the first day of menstruation, you can donate blood for the presence of hCG, this analysis can determine the likelihood of pregnancy quite early - already in the first month of pregnancy, about 10-15 days after conception.

Types of spotting

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

Vaginal spotting is evaluated according to several criteria.

In count:

• smearing,
• scarce,
• 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 secretions may indicate pregnancy during menstruation (more precisely, during bleeding). Pay special attention if:

• menses started early
• went meager menstruation;
• ended faster than always: it happens that menstruation goes one day;
• the discharge had an unusual color, the so-called black periods, brown or pink;
• the consistency of the secretions has changed. There were signs of menstruation with clots or discharge, on the contrary, the discharge became too liquid;

Scanty or spotting discharge is observed with:

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

In addition, if after a delay there is a brown spotting discharge, accompanied by pain in the abdomen, a deterioration in the general condition, they may be a manifestation of an ectopic pregnancy.

Abundant discharge that appeared suddenly is difficult to confuse with menstruation, they should alert the woman, since heavy bleeding is a direct threat to life.

Discharge during uterine pregnancy

When a fertilized egg implants in 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 menstruation has come 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, which is similar to menstruation during early pregnancy, is a sign of hormonal imbalance. With 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 there may be menstrual bleeding. A strong contraction of the walls of the uterus at this moment can prevent the full attachment of the embryo, and then the woman may not even know about her conception, considering her periods to be normal.

Is pregnancy possible after menstruation, how to find out, a gynecologist will tell you. Most likely, the doctor will send the patient for a blood test and ultrasound. For your part, listen carefully to your body in a doubtful period. A woman herself can determine the signs of pregnancy if menstruation occurs:

• bursting pain in the mammary glands, their increase and the release of colostrum when pressing on the areola;
• frequent urination;
• taste and olfactory changes, craving for unusual food, inedible substances;
• drowsiness, fatigue, irritability;
• the appearance of acne and pigmentation on the skin.

Yes, it could be pregnancy. This condition usually encourages those who really want to get pregnant. But in reality, it often turns out to be a sign of PMS during normal menstruation. If menstruation has not gone, you should not guess for a long time how to distinguish PMS symptoms from pregnancy, it is better to do a home express test and contact a specialist at the clinic.

The 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, many factors influence the timing - climate, stress, illness. Under such conditions, the egg can mature for conception at almost any time. This is unlikely on the first day of menstruation, 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 began during menstruation is a variant of the norm. And bleeding that occurs after conception, the so-called pregnancy through menstruation, is a sign of a pathology, possibly serious, which can threaten the health and life of mother and baby.

Therefore, all doubts and questions about how to distinguish pregnancy from hormonal dysfunctions, whether there can be periods during pregnancy and how to distinguish them from ordinary ones, should be asked to the gynecologist at an in-person consultation. The specialist 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 and, moreover, prescribe treatment, it is dangerous for both a pregnant woman and one who does not plan to have a baby. If the bleeding is severe, if there is pain, you should call an ambulance or immediately consult a doctor on the first day of menstruation.

Are you worried about the problem: can there be periods during pregnancy? Let's see how this situation is possible, based on the physiological characteristics of the course of the menstrual cycle.

Let's try to learn to distinguish: where the norm ends and the pathology begins. Find out the possible sources of spotting at different stages of pregnancy.

Menstruation during pregnancy - abnormal or normal?

Recall the elementary knowledge from the school curriculum on human anatomy. The female reproductive organ - the uterus consists of three layers, starting with the outer:

• perimetry;
• myometrium;
• endometrium.

Each layer performs its own function.

1. The internal mucous membrane (endometrium) is formed in the first half of the cycle and is the most variable part of the organ;
2. During pregnancy, the endometrium thickens in order to preserve the fetus until the placenta matures;
3. When there is no pregnancy, the inner membrane is torn off and, together with blood and mucus, comes out.

If you are concerned about the question: can menstruation go during pregnancy, then by simple logical reasoning we come to the conclusion that if conception has occurred, then menstruation stops.

When a fetal egg is implanted in the endometrium, all layers of the uterus direct their forces to the preservation and further development of the embryo. Therefore, keep in mind that menstruation, in their usual sense, during gestation is always an anomaly, not the norm.

Of course, it also happens that you can not guess about your interesting situation up to 3 - 4 months, if your periods occur right on time. In this case, it is more correct to say about the individual moments of this phenomenon, and such an exception indicates a more or less complicated type of gestation.

Important! Bright, abundant blood is an alarming sign indicating an abortion. As a rule, a miscarriage begins quickly and abruptly, but if you act quickly, then there is a chance to save the pregnancy.

Normally, every woman, in her life, has several abortions. It's just that sometimes they happen at the smallest stage of pregnancy and everything looks like the onset of another menstruation.

We analyze the topic of a healthy pregnancy and proper behavior when planning a pregnancy in more detail on the Internet course I want a child! Preparing for the desired pregnancy >>>.

• You will learn how conception occurs and at what time it is most likely;
• What to do if pregnancy does not occur;
• How to behave in the first weeks of pregnancy to avoid problems with bearing

This is a course that will help you feel all the wisdom of your body and you will bear and give birth to a healthy baby without any problems!

normal course of the cycle

Under the menstrual cycle we mean the period from the first day of the next menstruation to the beginning of the next. Gynecology operates with average rates of blood loss, which are relative in nature, since they depend on:

1. genetic disposition;
2. the general health of the woman;
3. climatic region of residence;
4. age.

We observe the first bleeding at the age of 12-16 years. Depending on individual characteristics, deviations are possible, both up and down. It may take several months before a stable cycle with ovulation and the release of an egg is established.

Normal menses include:

• cycle length 21 - 35 days, on average 28 - 30;
• monthly deviations for 1 - 2 days;
• discharge period 3 - 7 days, optimally 3 - 5;
• the amount of blood from 50 to 150 ml per day.

These figures are most typical for women aged 25 to 35 years. During adolescence, the menstrual cycle can be up to 45 days. After 40 years, a decrease in length and regularity is characteristic, and the number of days of discharge increases. This situation is generally a variant of the norm.

Important! A monthly cycle of less than 20 or more than 45 days is not considered a good option and requires additional consultation with a gynecologist.

If you diagnosed menstruation prematurely, can there be pregnancy in this case? Modest menstruation earlier than the due day is one of the symptoms of the onset of conception.

Since the fetal egg, attaching to the mucous membrane of the uterus, can cause minor spotting. Cycle failure is also due to other reasons, including:

1. age;
2. colds, inflammation, infections;
3. changing of the living place;
4. stressful situations;
5. inappropriate contraceptives.

The regularity of the cycle is provided by a complex mechanism, based on the work of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries, which secrete the necessary hormones (estrogen, progesterone). The reproductive health of a woman depends on them, with the normal course of the cycle.

What causes periods during pregnancy?

Consider the reasons why the body can start significant or not very spotting:

• an error in calculating the period when the last menstruation is considered pregnancy, although it occurred later (read the article on the topic: The first signs of pregnancy >>>);
• the process of attaching the fetal egg to the wall of the uterus;
• conception happened at the end of the cycle, when the menstrual phase was already running;
• a rare case: the maturation of two eggs, one of which was fertilized, and the other came out with the blood;
• trauma to the cervix during intercourse;
• hormonal disorders;
• risk of miscarriage;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• fading pregnancy.

Of all the reasons listed, only the last three have a real threat to the life and health of both the woman and the fetus. Especially, in case of heavy bleeding with pain, as in contractions. In such situations, immediately call an ambulance and try to observe bed rest.

Can menstruation go during pregnancy? Keep in mind that there are isolated unique cases when meager discharge accompanies the entire pregnancy - all this miracle is crowned with the birth of a healthy child. But such force majeure occurs extremely rarely, and even doctors cannot explain the nature of such a phenomenon.

Why is this condition dangerous?

In order for you to be able to independently assess the risks to the health, life of the baby and yourself, you need to control your well-being.

1. If you are in a good mood and appetite, there are no pains, then slight discharge does not pose a direct threat to pregnancy, but be sure to inform the gynecologist about them at the next turnout. In any case, you need to find out the cause and, if possible, eliminate the negative manifestations;
2. Are there periods during pregnancy due to hormonal disorders? Yes, it is possible if the body produces insufficient female progesterone and an excess of male androgen;

At the initial stage of gestation, this situation may not pose a danger to you, but, with an increase in the term, the risk of miscarriage increases.

Know! As a rule, such a problem is solved by taking hormonal drugs to maintain pregnancy. Do not try to self-administer such medications.

1. Perhaps the most serious danger is bleeding in the diagnosis: ectopic pregnancy;

The insidiousness of the pathology lies in the fact that at first there may be slight spotting and, it seems, there is no reason for concern. When the fetus reaches a critical size, the tube does not withstand and bursts. Therefore, delay in diagnosis and timely surgical operation is especially dangerous.

Periods at different stages of pregnancy

Based on female physiology, it is impossible to admit the presence of full menstruation during pregnancy. All single episodes go beyond the medical understanding of the process, do not find an explanation and are recognized as exceptions to the rules.

• Do periods come in early pregnancy? Theoretically, this is unlikely, but, in practice, you may encounter minor discharge at the initial stage of gestation, up to 12 weeks (read about the development of the baby and changes in the mother's body during this period in the article 1 trimester of pregnancy >>>);
• Bleeding in the later stages is fraught with serious consequences. Usually gynecologists, with any discharge and timing, will offer you hospitalization in order to find out the causes and save the pregnancy.

Statistics show that every fifth woman faces the problem of menstruation during pregnancy. Consider also that 80% of all miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks. In this regard, it is completely unreasonable, even very dangerous, to treat lightly any secretions at the stage of gestation.

The absence of menstruation is the first sign by which a woman learns about her interesting position. But can menstruation go during pregnancy and what do they mean? In the article we will consider the main causes of this phenomenon, and discuss whether such a state of the body is dangerous for the fetus.

The reasons

Perhaps your colleagues or girlfriends sometimes talked about the appearance of menstruation in early pregnancy. And if you ask our grandmothers, they can say that they did not know about their interesting position until 4-5 months, until the stomach began to round.

Female physiology implies the absence of menstruation for the entire period of bearing a child. If a malfunction suddenly occurs in the body, as a result of which spotting appears, then you should immediately visit a gynecologist. Such secretions do not always mean the presence of pathologies or diseases, and in some cases are even considered the norm. But a visit to the doctor is still necessary so as not to risk your health and the fetus.

The reasons for the appearance of menstruation during pregnancy are quite diverse. The main ones are:

• ectopic pregnancy;
• stress;
• hormonal disorders;
• trauma;
• risk of miscarriage.

Also, the presence of menstruation in early pregnancy is due to the following factor. Fertilization occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, with the fertilized egg reaching the uterus only after one or two weeks. The female body does not have time to completely rebuild during this period of time, which is why menstruation occurs. But after a month, the hormonal background normalizes, and menstruation already stops going.

But there is another situation. The embryo is actively and correctly developing, and menstruation continues. As a rule, such a pathology disappears a few months after conception. This condition of a pregnant woman is due to a small amount of estrogen.

Sometimes spotting during pregnancy is a sign of an incipient miscarriage. If the discharge is accompanied by pain, then you should immediately call an ambulance.

Menstruation in early pregnancy is an alarming symptom that means the presence of serious diseases in your body. Often the cause of discharge is hyperandrogenism. If it is detected in a timely manner, then nothing will threaten the life of the fetus.

Types of menstruation during pregnancy

Every month, an egg matures in a woman's body. In the absence of fertilization, it dies and leaves the body along with menstrual flow. If conception has occurred, then the body begins to actively produce progesterone. This hormone boosts the growth of the endometrium so that the embryo is firmly attached. Progesterone has a positive effect on pregnancy, its sufficient amount in the blood guarantees the safe bearing of the fetus.

Menstruation during pregnancy is not the usual menstruation that a woman is used to seeing every month. The cause of this condition may be hormonal imbalance or pathology. Sometimes this condition indicates the rejection of the fetal egg or the threat of miscarriage.

A decrease in the amount of progesterone causes spotting. In this case, the gynecologist prescribes hormonal drugs to prevent miscarriage.

With the simultaneous birth of several embryos, one of them may be rejected. This condition is accompanied by bleeding. In this case, the rejection itself occurs due to the pathology of the development of the fetus.

Features of menstruation during pregnancy

Menstruation after conception is called color pregnancy. In the first few months after conception, a pregnant woman may periodically have periods. But such discharge is scarce and not bright red. Such spotting is not considered a pathology. The sensations during them are the same as during normal menstruation: soreness of the mammary glands, mood swings, weakness and drowsiness.

When menstruation begins and pregnancy is suspected, be sure to take a test. The presence of menstruation does not affect the result of a pregnancy test.

At the beginning of the development of the embryo, bloody discharge from the female genital organ is likely. When a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, a small tear of the mucous membrane occurs, which leads to red discharge. And it is completely safe for the health of the fetus and woman.

What does menstruation mean during pregnancy

Bloody discharge during childbearing means the following:

1. The hormonal background of the expectant mother does not have time to adjust to the onset of conception.
2. Allocations in the second and third months of pregnancy mean detachment of endometrial particles.
3. Periods in late pregnancy practically do not appear. If they occur, then this means the fertilization of another egg. But this happens very rarely.

In any case, if bleeding occurs, be sure to visit a doctor.

Is menstruation dangerous for the fetus during pregnancy?

Should menstruation during childbearing be considered dangerous for the fetus? There is no single answer to this question. Any discharge from the genital tract during pregnancy must be examined by a doctor. Such a procedure will protect the child and the future mother herself from various complications.

The main danger of spotting lies in the risk of placental abruption, resulting in fetal death. To prevent such situations, limit any physical activity on the days when you should have your period according to the calendar.

Ordinary spotting does not affect the development and growth of the fetus. They do not provoke the development of pathologies or diseases. But this does not mean that you should be calm about all the changes in your body. In the presence of discharge with blood, nausea, migraine, immediately call an ambulance. Only a gynecologist is able to judge whether your discharge is normal or pathological.

In the presence of discharge, the doctor carefully examines you, takes blood to determine the level of hormones. Do not ignore the instructions of the doctor and the prescribed tests. Only in this case you will have a healthy and strong baby!