Can menstruation during pregnancy. Menstruation during pregnancy - does it happen. Can pregnant women have periods? Periods at different stages of pregnancy
Among expectant mothers, disputes about this do not subside. Some women claim to have menstruated before giving birth. This is a misconception: menstruation and pregnancy are incompatible.
Can you have periods during pregnancy?
To answer the question, let's refresh our knowledge of the physiology of a woman. Once a month, an egg matures in the ovary, which is necessary for fertilization. If conception does not occur, it is destroyed, the functional layer of the endometrium is rejected, and spotting occurs. If conception has occurred, the body prepares for the implantation of the embryo by rearranging the hormonal background. In the uterus, the functional layer is not rejected, and menstruation stops during pregnancy.
Where does the blood come from then? With progesterone deficiency (progesterone is a hormone), on the days when menstruation begins according to the schedule, bleeding appears. Doctors call this phenomenon “false menstruation”. Sometimes spotting goes on for 3-4 months, although the fetal egg develops in the uterus.
The cyclicity of bleeding misleads a woman. She does not even suspect that she is expecting a baby, and finds out about the pregnancy too late. This is dangerous for mother and child, because a woman, not knowing that she is expecting a child, continues to lead her usual lifestyle: she does hard work, eats unhealthy food, drinks alcohol, and takes medications that are not recommended during pregnancy. It is difficult to determine the due date, sometimes a woman finds out that she will have a baby at 4-5 months, when it is impossible to terminate the pregnancy.
Even intense false menstruation does not affect the development of the fetus and embryo: the baby will not be born sick or underdeveloped. But if the cause of bleeding lies not in hormonal disorders, but in organic causes, it is difficult to convey the child.
If bleeding occurs because a fertilized egg has implanted outside the endometrium of the uterine cavity (ectopic pregnancy), the embryo is removed to save the woman. Sometimes the oviduct and ovary are removed.
Menstruation during early pregnancy
There are a lot of reasons for such allocations:
- At conception, the egg that remains from the previous cycle is sometimes fertilized, that is, the new one has already stood out, and the old one has not yet died. This occurs with short (21-24 days) menstrual cycles. As a result, in the first month after fertilization against the background of pregnancy, a full menstruation occurs. It takes 7-14 days from conception to implantation. If premenstrual processes have begun in the endometrium, critical days begin and pass, as in other months.
- Sometimes two eggs are released during a cycle. If one is fertilized and implanted in the endometrium, and the other is not, menstruation occurs during pregnancy. Since critical days in the early stages are frequent, in obstetrics it is customary to count the developmental period of the child not from the intended conception, but from the date of the last menstruation.
- Sometimes women take for critical days implantation bleeding that occurs at the time of attachment of the embryo to the endometrium of the uterus. It occurs on or before the next menstrual period. With implantation bleeding, a small amount of blood is released, bleeding lasts one to two days.
- False periods in the first months come in women who took birth control pills before pregnancy. Until the body adapts to the natural hormonal background, the discharge of blood at the time corresponding to the critical days will not stop.
Bleeding during pregnancy can be dangerous.
Since the body in the early stages of pregnancy does not have time to adapt to the changed hormonal background, there is a progesterone deficiency and an excess of androgens, accompanied by spotting. This is dangerous for the embryo, which is still small and not sufficiently strengthened in the uterus.
Menstrual-like bleeding from the second month of pregnancy is a common sign of threatened miscarriage caused by rejection of the embryo due to immune disorders in the mother. The woman's body perceives the embryo as a foreign body, kills and expels.
A formidable complication, accompanied by periodic discharge of blood from the genital tract, is cystic drift. With this disease, the villi of the chorion of the fetal egg are reborn into vesicles that merge into "bunches". Cystic formations also appear in the ovaries (luteal cysts). A woman from the second month of pregnancy begins periodic bleeding, reminiscent of discharge on critical days. Skid bubbles come out with the blood. This happens until the formation, consisting of small cysts, comes out. The disease is dangerous for the development of a severe complication - chorionepithelioma - a malignant tumor that early metastasizes to the brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs.
Abundant periods during pregnancy
In the first month of pregnancy, menstruation may be heavy or scanty. It depends on the hormonal background of the woman. In the future, the release of blood stops. If this does not happen, you should consult a doctor and find out the cause of menstrual bleeding.
Blood during pregnancy is caused by:
- beginning or threatened miscarriage, including those arising from progesterone deficiency. Sometimes hormonal imbalance during pregnancy is manifested by profuse false periods;
- hormonal deficiency, in which heavy menstrual-like bleeding occurs;
- missed pregnancy, when the embryo develops with a delay or died. This condition occurs with congenital anomalies in the development of the embryo, severe hereditary pathologies, or increased uterine tone. More often, the embryo "freezes" at the 3-4th, 7-8th, 16-18th weeks.
- placental abruption, in which the "baby place" is separated from the walls of the uterus. The released blood flows out through the genital tract or remains under the placenta, provoking new bleeding;
- in multiple pregnancies, one fetus may not develop or die. This is also accompanied by bleeding;
- placenta previa, when it is located close to the uterine pharynx. As the fetus grows, bleeding occurs, which the expectant mother takes for heavy periods;
- pathologies of the uterus, in which the course of pregnancy is difficult: one-horned, two-horned, saddle or children;
- endometriosis and benign tumors of the endometrium and myometrium, including: myoma, fibroids, cysts, polyps. With these diseases, menstrual bleeding during pregnancy is not uncommon;
- spotting occurs during overstrain, stress and at elevated temperature, leading to hormonal failure, increased uterine tone, miscarriage or “fading” of embryo development.
With menstruation, it is easy to confuse heavy bleeding that occurs during an ectopic pregnancy. A miscarriage proceeds according to the principle of a tubal abortion. A large amount of dark blood with fragments of the deducial membrane will stand out from the genital tract.
It is urgent to see a doctor if heavy bleeding during pregnancy is accompanied by:
- strong pulling or cutting pains in the lower, right or left abdomen;
- nausea, salivation, vomiting;
- fainting, severe headache, weakness, dizziness, blanching of the skin and increased heart rate;
- an increase in body temperature.
Heavy bleeding is a cause for serious concern. Without the use of emergency measures, the fetus is threatened with intrauterine death, and the woman - with serious blood loss. Ectopic and missed pregnancy require urgent surgical treatment.
How to distinguish menstruation during pregnancy from normal
The duration and intensity of bleeding changes, the woman understands that changes are taking place in the body. False menstruation is caused by other causes not related to the mechanism of normal menstruation:
- The menstrual cycle changes - shortens or lengthens, sometimes bleeding occurs twice a month.
- Allocations become scarce, there is a "daub" or light pink leucorrhoea. Sometimes there is bright scarlet or dark red blood with clots or mucous scraps of the deducial membrane.
- The number of critical days also changes. False periods end 1-2 days earlier, but sometimes, on the contrary, a woman bleeds for a week.
- There are no symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. After critical days, the mammary glands remain enlarged, and the swelling does not go away.
- In some cases, false periods are difficult to distinguish from physiological ones. In doubtful cases, the use of a pregnancy test or blood donation for hCG - human chorionic gonadotropin will help.
Pregnancy is correctly diagnosed by a doctor on ultrasound. The condition of the placenta and fetal membranes, the place of attachment of the embryo and the approximate date of birth are determined.
Menstruation, no matter what month they start, is a good reason to visit a gynecologist, even if nothing hurts and pregnancy is easy. Relying on "maybe", you can skip an ectopic and frozen pregnancy, miscarriage, cystic drift, placenta previa and detachment. Do not self-diagnose. Only a doctor can determine the cause of menstrual bleeding. The gynecologist will conduct an examination and, if necessary, prescribe surgical or conservative treatment.
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.
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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 unimpeded 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 occurs 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.
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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 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.
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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 necessary.
It's important to know!
In order to be able to objectively assess the state of the venous system of patients of various groups, the international CEAP classification (Clinical signs, Etiologic classification, Anatomic distribution, Pathophysiologic Dysfunction) is used, proposed by Partsh G. at the 6th annual congress of the American Venous Forum in 1994.
Menstruation, and even abundant, that began during pregnancy, undoubtedly, plunges many women into a serious shock. Which is not at all surprising. After all, regulations during this period can be a signal of a miscarriage or other equally dangerous complications.
In fact, spotting in early pregnancy may not always be the bearer of bad news. It all depends on their nature, intensity, the presence of concomitant symptoms. Let's find out in more detail whether menstruation is possible when a girl is expecting a baby, how dangerous it is and when you should immediately consult a doctor.
Can you have periods during pregnancy?
To give a clear answer to this question, it is necessary, first of all, to recall all the features of female physiology. Every month, the ovaries produce eggs, which are necessary for fertilization. If conception does not occur for one reason or another, this egg is destroyed. As a result, the functional membrane of the endometrium is rejected, bloody discharge appears, i.e. - menstruation.
With a positive turn of affairs, when conception is successful, the body throws all its strength into preparing for the implantation of the embryo. The hormonal background is completely rebuilt. The functional layer of the endometrium is not rejected and, accordingly, the regulation does not go. How, in this case, to compare heavy periods and pregnancy? Where is the blood from?
Often the cause of bleeding is progesterone deficiency. Gynecologists define this phenomenon as “false menstruation”. It can sometimes even last for several months, despite the fact that the fetal egg continues to develop quietly in the uterine cavity.
In this case, they are not even a threat to the development of the embryo. But it is very important to see a doctor in time to understand if spotting can be caused by organic causes that pose a serious danger to the mother and fetus.
The reasons
Fortunately, menstruation during pregnancy is not always dangerous. For example, when the period of implantation of the fetal egg is their cause, there is practically no reason for concern. During this process, small blood vessels are often damaged, resulting in a smearing vaginal discharge. may also appear if:
- The blastocyst did not have time to implant in the endometrium of the uterus before the onset of menstruation. Usually this process takes from one to two weeks, so a delay, although rare, is quite possible. Hormonal changes do not have time to occur, and the regulations go on as usual.
- It matures simultaneously with an egg in each of the ovaries. If one egg is fertilized and the second is rejected, menstruation may begin.
- There are various hormonal disorders. If there is a deficiency of progesterone or an excess of androgens, there may well be regulations, since the body cannot recognize pregnancy in this case.
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A woman who has noticed that she is having heavy periods during pregnancy, moreover, at any time, should immediately call an ambulance or go to the hospital. Timely appeal to specialists is the only chance to save the situation, no matter how difficult it is. Indeed, in addition to the above reasons, menstruation can be a sign of much more dangerous diseases and abnormalities.
In the early stages
Menstruation during early pregnancy can be both scanty and plentiful. First of all, their character depends on the state of the woman's hormonal system. They may appear in the first month, and the entire subsequent period of regulation should not bother the expectant mother. Otherwise, you need to find out why menstruation continues.
Often, menstruation in early pregnancy can be caused by:
- Beginning spontaneous miscarriage. The intensity of the regulation in this case can be different (both plentiful and spotting). The color of the discharge is predominantly scarlet. Cramping type pains in the lower abdomen are possible. The most disappointing forecast for menstruation in the first month. Pregnancy in this case is rarely possible to save.
- Ectopic pregnancy. In this case, the regulation is usually dark brown, scanty, complicated by severe pain in the left or right parts of the iliac region.
- Diseases or anomalies in the structure of the uterus. We are talking about a unicornuate, bicornuate, baby or saddle uterus. With such a diagnosis, a woman will not be able to bear a fetus, since the embryos are attached in places where the blood supply is very poor or completely absent.
- Frozen or non-developing pregnancy. Most often, the embryo stops developing or even dies in the first decade of pregnancy. The cause may be increased uterine tone or complex hereditary pathologies.
- Erosion or infectious diseases of the cervix. The latter are usually caused by chlamydia.
- Placental detachment. With such a pathology, the "children's place" departs from the walls of the uterus, and the blood that is released at the same time exits through the genital ducts.
- Placental presentation. If the placenta is too close to the uterine os, the growing fetus provokes bleeding, which is mistaken for menstruation.
- Benign neoplasms of the myometrium and endometrium, endometriosis. With fibroids, polyps in the uterus, cysts, and myomas, bleeding occurs quite often. Taking them for menstruation, expectant mothers can unknowingly ignore the first signs of pregnancy, which can cause very serious problems.
Abundant or scanty bleeding can also occur in a woman due to stress, overexertion, a cold, and a number of other reasons. To avoid serious consequences, it is necessary to keep a calendar of menstruation, monitor the general condition of the body, listen to even the slightest of its signals.
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At a later date
If a woman has spotting in the last months of pregnancy, this can be a great danger for both the baby and the expectant mother. Menstruation is qualified for such a period as prenatal pathological bleeding. The factors by which they are caused can be completely different.
The most common reasons for bleeding in the second and third trimester may be the following:
- Placental presentation, which occurs in about 0.5% of expectant mothers. Pathology involves blocking the entrance to the cervix and most often occurs in patients who have previously had a caesarean section or abortion.
- Rejection of the placenta. This diagnosis is heard by about 1% of pregnant women in the later stages. The risk group is women who suffer from hypertension.
There are frequent cases when a woman who is 6-9 months pregnant, noticing blood on the pad, mistakenly believes that menstruation has come. It is very dangerous to ignore the signal given by the body. The girl should immediately call the doctor, waiting for him only in the supine position.
Danger and complications of menstruation during pregnancy
From the first day of pregnancy, a woman begins to be responsible not only for herself, but also for that still completely helpless little body. Therefore, the expectant mother is obliged to carefully monitor her health and respond to the slightest changes in her condition. Any, even the most meager and painlessly critical days, in the early stages can be:
- the cause of miscarriage, which in most cases cannot be treated;
- a signal to stop the development of the fetus;
- an indicator of incipient septic or hemorrhagic shock, other dangerous complications of an infectious nature.
From the foregoing, it is not difficult to conclude how dangerous spotting is at different stages of pregnancy. Moreover, the threat is not the menstruation itself, but the reasons by which they are caused. But, as medical practice shows, there are happy exceptions to this statement, when the regulations are not evidence of a serious pathology.
How to distinguish between menstruation and bleeding
Confusing during pregnancy, especially in its early stages, is quite simple. Therefore, if a woman has even the slightest doubt about the discharge that has appeared, you should immediately contact a specialist.
Alarm signals indicating a threat of termination of pregnancy, and not at all the usual menstruation:
- Bleeding arose suddenly, without any prerequisites.
- Allocations are scanty, smearing, with brown impurities.
- In color and consistency, the secretion secreted is similar to water interspersed with blood.
- Menstruation did not start as usual (for example, before the regulation was accompanied by pain, but now, on the contrary, they proceed calmly).
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 soreness 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:
- Scarlet or bright red spotting;
- Adverse bleeding symptoms in the form of nausea and vomiting and severe sharp pains in the uterus or on the side of it;
- Pieces or clots present in the composition of the secretions;
- 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. Insignificant 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 is 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.