Can you have a period after conception

Can You Be Pregnant and Still Have a Period?

However, it is common to experience some light spotting that’s dark brown or light pink during early pregnancy.

Pregnancy with a period: Is it possible?

While some people may experience intermittent vaginal bleeding while they are pregnant, it isn’t possible to have a period. Menstruation only takes place in the absence of pregnancy.

Each month, ovulation occurs when your ovary releases an egg to be fertilized by the sperm. The uterine lining thickens in anticipation of a fertilized egg being implanted, which then results in pregnancy. If an egg isn’t fertilized and implanted, both the egg and the uterine lining are shed through the vagina as menstrual blood.

So, can you have a period while you’re pregnant? The short answer is no. Since you don’t ovulate — or release an egg — during pregnancy, you will not get your monthly period. You'll get your period back either weeks or months after you give birth (how long it takes can depend on whether or not you're breastfeeding) and once you're back in the flow (so to speak!) of your menstrual cycle, you can predict when your next period will arrive with our online period calculator.

How rare is it to be pregnant and have your period?

Despite numerous claims, it isn’t possible to get your period while pregnant. Once the body starts the production of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), your periods stop.

I have never felt the need to write a review for any app, but this one deserves recognition. I never used to track my period and I ended up needing to have a blood transfusion because I was bleeding so much for so long. But when I downloaded Flo, It has helped me in so many ways. It has always been accurate, and gives me insight on the symptoms Ive been having on my period, and I can keep my symptoms logged so that I can show my doctor what was going on during my last period. It’s a really useful and helpful app.

Why you might experience a “period” during your first trimester

Though people stop getting their period during pregnancy, it’s possible that they may still experience some bleeding. This bleeding does not necessarily indicate an underlying issue, but it’s important to understand the cause of it — and whether it’s time to see a health care provider.

Bleeding tends to occur more often during the first trimester of pregnancy than the second or third. Estimates suggest that about 25 to 30 percent of pregnant people experience spotting at some point during their first trimester. There are a number of reasons for this bleeding.

Implantation bleeding: This refers to the light spotting that occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception, around the time when your period is due. Many people haven’t yet taken a pregnancy test at this point, so it’s easy to mistake the spotting for a period. This bleeding is lighter than a normal period, however, and only lasts for a couple of days. It occurs due to the implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine lining.

Cervical changes: Spotting can occur shortly after you get pregnant due to cervical changes, and particularly after having sexual intercourse. As long as no infection is present, there’s no need to be concerned about this.

Other causes: Heavier bleeding that more closely resembles a period during the first trimester of pregnancy can indicate something more serious, including:

Ectopic pregnancy
Infection
Miscarriage
Molar pregnancy
Subchorionic hemorrhage, also known as subchorionic hematoma (bleeding between the placenta and the wall of the uterus)
Gestational trophoblast disease (GTD), a rare group of tumors that grow from the cells that normally develop into the placenta

These are all medical emergencies, and it’s important to see a health care professional immediately. They are often accompanied by symptoms other than bleeding, including:

Back pain
Severe abdominal pain or cramps
Loss of consciousness or faintness
Fatigue
Fever
Shoulder pain
Changes in vaginal discharge
Uncontrollable vomiting and nausea

Bleeding later in pregnancy: why it happens

We’ve already discussed why it isn’t possible to have a period during pregnancy, and why some people may experience light bleeding or spotting during their first trimester. Bleeding during the second and third trimesters is possible, though not common, and it may be an indicator that something else is going on. If you experience bleeding later in your pregnancy, it’s important to see your health care provider.

Potential reasons for mid- or late-term pregnancy bleeding include:

Sexual intercourse: Having sex during mid- and late pregnancy can cause some spotting or light bleeding due to increased sensitivity of the cervical and vaginal tissues during this time.
Preterm or term labor: This refers to delivery of the baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Cervical dilatation and uterine contractions generally occur to help the fetus move down, which can result in bleeding and a large amount of vaginal discharge. Other symptoms include a backache, abdominal cramping, changes in vaginal discharge, and a sensation of vaginal pressure.
Placenta previa: In this condition, the placenta is located close to or over the cervical opening. There are no symptoms other than vaginal bleeding, and it may hinder labor and delivery.
Placental abruption: This is a medical emergency that occurs during late pregnancy when the placenta starts separating from the uterine lining before the birth of the baby. It can cause heavy vaginal bleeding, as well as severe cramping and stomach pain. Certain health issues, like hypertension, may increase your risk of developing placental abruption.
Uterine rupture: This occurs when the uterine muscles tear or separate before or during labor. It’s considered a medical emergency, as it may result in uncontrolled vaginal bleeding. Though rare, the condition most often occurs in people who have a history of uterine surgery or cesarean delivery.

When to see your health care provider

Because it isn’t possible to get your period while pregnant, it’s important to be mindful of any bleeding you do experience during this time. While light bleeding or spotting during the first trimester is usually normal, bleeding that is accompanied by other symptoms may indicate something more serious, and it’s important to see a health care provider immediately. These symptoms include:

Cramping and pain
Fainting or dizziness
Passing clots or heavy bleeding
Severe pain in your pelvis and stomach

It’s important to visit your health care provider if your bleeding is bright red in color and is heavy enough to soak through a pad. Pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy may indicate an ectopic pregnancy. If you suspect this, see your health care provider as soon as possible.

There’s a lot of discussion surrounding pregnancy and periods, and we want to clear things up. Can you have a period and be pregnant? No. Since your period stops after your body starts producing hCG — also known as the pregnancy hormone — it isn’t possible to experience a true period during pregnancy.

During the early stages of pregnancy, however, some people experience spotting or light bleeding — and it’s usually normal. This bleeding is called implantation bleeding, and it happens when the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining.

First trimester bleeding that occurs alongside other symptoms (like dizziness or pain) may indicate a more serious issue, such as ectopic pregnancy, infection, miscarriage, molar pregnancy, subchorionic hemorrhage, or cervical changes. If you are concerned and suspect an underlying cause for the bleeding, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention — many of these conditions are medical emergencies.

It’s also possible to bleed during the middle and late stages of pregnancy. This bleeding is less common and may indicate a medical emergency such as preterm or term labor, placenta previa, placental abruption, or uterine rupture. Having sexual intercourse during the later stages can also cause bleeding, though it’s usually quite light.

If you experience bleeding as well as symptoms like cramping, pain, fainting or dizziness, passing clots or heavy bleeding, and severe pain in your pelvis and stomach, be sure to see your health care provider right away.

Can You Get Pregnant Right Before Your Period? Chart, Test, More

Although it is possible to get pregnant in the days leading up to your period, it isn’t likely.

You can only get pregnant during a narrow window of five to six days a month.

When these fertile days actually occur depends on when you ovulate, or release an egg from your ovary.

Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of your menstrual cycle — about two weeks before your period — but not everyone’s cycle is regular.

Even for those with a regular cycle, it’s possible to ovulate earlier or later. This can shift the fertile window by a few days in a given month.

In other words, it’s difficult to pinpoint a time in your cycle where you can 100 percent guarantee that you will or won’t get pregnant.

Chance of becoming pregnant	It’s unlikely	It’s possible	It’s likely
14 days before			X
10 days before			X
5–7 days before		X
2 days before	X
1 day before	X
During menstruation	X
1 day after	X
2 days after	X
5–7 days after		X
10 days after			X
14 days after			X

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, with the first day of menstruation as cycle day 1.

Most periods last two to seven days. Pregnancy is uncommon during this time, because your peak fertility window is still about a week or so away.

Around days 6 to 14 of your cycle, your body will start releasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

This helps develop an egg inside your ovary. Your body will also begin rebuilding the endometrial lining in your uterus.

Pregnancy is slightly more likely during this time. Sperm can live up to five days inside the body, so it could still be present when the egg matures.

Once the egg is mature, your body will release lutenizing hormone (LH), triggering the egg’s release from your ovary (ovulation).

Ovulation usually occurs around cycle day 14. Pregnancy is likely on ovulation day.

That said, ovulation doesn’t always happen like clockwork. It can occur anywhere from four days before to four days after the midpoint of your menstrual cycle.

The bottom Line
If you ovulate later in your cycle or start your period sooner than usual, you could become pregnant if you have sex in the days leading up to your period.

Lots of people don’t have 28-day cycles. Some have cycles as short as 21 days and others as long as 35 days.

In fact, in one study, only about 30 percent of participants had their fertile window fall within days 10 to 17 of their cycle. Only 10 percent had ovulation fall exactly 14 days before their next period.

Stress and diet can also impact when ovulation occurs, as well as medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and amenorrhea.

Menstrual cycles can also be more irregular during adolescence or perimenopause.

In many cases, ovulation still happens around the middle of your cycle.

Try this
If you’re trying to figure out when you might be ovulating, a good place to start is by determining the midpoint of your individual cycle.

But if your cycle length varies from month to month, it may be helpful to use a backup birth control method.

If you’re trying to get pregnant, you might consider formally tracking your ovulation. This can provide a more reliable view of your fertile window.

You can do this a number of ways, including:

tracking your basal body temperature
using an over-the-counter ovulation predictor kit
wearing a fertility monitor

The only time you can get pregnant is during your fertile window.

An egg only lives for about 24 hours after being released from your ovary, and sperm can only live for up to five days inside the body.

That means you can only get pregnant if you have sex:
in the four to five days leading up to ovulation
on the day of ovulation
on the day after ovulation

If you’re looking to conceive, the best time to have sex is right before ovulation. This will give sperm time to reach the fallopian tube and meet the egg there.

After that, if no sperm has fertilized the egg, it will dissolve. You won’t be able to get pregnant until your cycle restarts.

It isn’t impossible, but it’s unlikely. The timing would have to be perfect for the egg and sperm to reach each other in time.

If you have sex toward the end of your period and you ovulate early, it’s possible for the egg and sperm to both be alive at the same time and for fertilization to occur.

It’s unlikely — though slightly more likely than if you have sex during your period.

If you have sex right after your period and you ovulate early that month, it’s possible to get pregnant.

This is more likely with people who have a shorter-than-average cycle, because ovulation occurs more frequently.

Your period will only start if the egg isn’t fertilized and the cells are reabsorbed.

This causes estrogen and progesterone levels to fall and menstruation to begin.

However, you may experience some spotting during early pregnancy.

One study found that 14 out of 151 participants experienced one day of vaginal bleeding in the first eight weeks of pregnancy.

Furthermore, 15 percent to 25 percent of people may experience spotting during the first three months of pregnancy.

Taking note of the timing and any other symptoms present can help you differentiate between typical menstruation and pregnancy-related spotting.

Implantation bleeding usually occurs 6 to 12 days after conception. It’s caused by the fertilized egg attaching to your uterus lining.

This light spotting usually only lasts 24 to 48 hours and is generally much lighter than the average period.

You may also experience spotting as a result of increased blood flow in the cervix. This type of spotting is most common after sex, a Pap test, or a pelvic exam.

If you’re experiencing unexpected bleeding, see a doctor or other healthcare provider.

If you had unprotected sex and want to avoid pregnancy, take emergency contraception (EC) as soon as possible.

There are two main types — the copper IUD and the hormonal EC pill — and they can both work up to five days after unprotected sex.

The IUD prevents pregnancy by producing an inflammatory reaction that’s toxic to sperm and eggs.

It’s more effective than the morning-after pill, but it’s only available by prescription and has to be inserted by a doctor within five days of unprotected sex.

The pill delivers a high dose of hormones to delay ovulation or prevent a fertilized egg from implanting to the uterus.

Plan B One-Step, Next Choice, and MyWay are all available over the counter.

Which should you use?
As a general rule of thumb, EC pills may be less effective for people who have a higher body mass index (BMI).
There isn’t any research to suggest that the copper IUD is similarly affected by BMI, so this option may be more effective.
Talk to your local pharmacist or other healthcare provider about which EC option is right for you.

Wait until the first day of your missed period to take a home pregnancy test.

But if you can wait a little longer, taking the test one week after the date of your missed period may produce the most accurate result.

If you have an irregular cycle, wait one to two weeks after you had sex to take the test.

This will allow your body to develop high enough human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels to be detected by the test.

If you get a positive result, you might want to check again in a day or two since it’s possible to get a false positive. Then reach out to a medical provider to confirm the results.

Whether you’re trying to prevent pregnancy or trying to conceive, it’s always a good idea to talk about it with a doctor or other healthcare provider.

They can help you learn more about your cycle and discuss your options moving forward. This could include birth control, fertility awareness, or family planning.

Simone M. Scully is a writer who loves writing about all things health and science. Find Simone on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Menstruation during pregnancy - maternity hospital "Leleka"

Young women often wonder if pregnancy and menstruation can happen at the same time. Indeed, during pregnancy, some women experience spotting, which is mistaken for menstruation. But it's not.

There can be no full menstruation during pregnancy. The endometrium, the layer of cells that lines the inside of the uterus and is shed during menstruation, helps the placenta develop during pregnancy and stays in the body. The cycle of monthly renewal of the endometrium during pregnancy stops.

However, spotting during pregnancy is not uncommon. Their appearance indicates that there are some malfunctions or pathological conditions in the woman's body. It can be a hormonal imbalance, a threatened miscarriage, and even an ectopic pregnancy.

Unfortunately, many young women underestimate this symptom, believing that periods during pregnancy are possible, and do not worry about discharge. They do not go to the doctor until the situation becomes critical. And in some cases, a timely reaction can save not only the unborn child, but also the life of the mother.

What causes bleeding during pregnancy

In order to understand how menstruation can start during pregnancy and what should be done, let's turn to the processes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman.

During intercourse, semen enters the vagina and then into the uterus. But fertilization may not occur immediately: spermatozoa remain active for three days. After the sex cells fuse, the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. This, too, may not happen immediately, but within a few days. If these processes are delayed in time, the usual regular menstruation may begin. In this case, the egg will be fixed in the uterus, the pregnancy will develop normally. A pregnancy test will show a positive result. Alas, this rarely happens. More often, spotting is an alarming symptom.

Pregnancy and early periods

In some cases, the fertilized egg does not implant in the uterus, but in the fallopian tube or outside the genitals. An ectopic pregnancy develops - a severe pathology that poses a serious threat to the life of the mother and excludes a favorable outcome for the fetus. In an ectopic pregnancy, spotting may indicate a ruptured fallopian tube. The walls of the fallopian tubes are only 2-3 mm thick, they are inelastic. If an embryo develops and grows in the tube, the wall breaks, internal bleeding begins. This usually happens within 3-4 weeks. In this situation, urgent surgical intervention is necessary.

With detachment of the epithelium and the threat of miscarriage, characteristic discharge may also appear. This is possible with hormonal disruptions in the body of a woman. But sometimes spontaneous abortion occurs due to some internal failures that are almost impossible to predict in advance. If a young woman leads an unhealthy lifestyle - drinking alcohol, other toxic substances, or doing a lot of physical labor - this can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion. Allocations will just mean that the process of rejection of the embryo has begun.

Sometimes the cause of discharge is the death of one of the fetuses during a multiple pregnancy. If the pregnancy is multi-ovarian, that is, several eggs were fertilized, the development of other embryos can continue. But the risk of death of other embryos in this situation is quite high.

In some cases, the cause of the discharge is pathology or disease of the uterus. The egg does not manage to gain a foothold in the uterus successfully, especially if the uterus has pathologies or neoplasms. If the pregnancy develops normally, but the woman continues to have discharge similar to menstruation, this indicates a hormonal imbalance. Insufficient production of the necessary hormones is an alarming, but usually not a dangerous condition.

If menstruation starts during pregnancy, is there a chance to keep the baby?

Fortunately, the appearance of spotting does not mean termination of pregnancy. Of course, in the case of severe pathologies, such as an ectopic pregnancy, it will not be possible to save the fetus. But if in all these cases you do not consult a doctor, the risk of losing a child, and in some cases, a mother, is very high.

The SM-Clinic gynecologist told if menstruation can occur during pregnancy

Is bleeding in a future mother a reason to see a doctor or is it normal for early pregnancy? We understand.
Tatyana Vladimirovna Grigoryeva, an obstetrician-gynecologist at SM-Clinic, told the readers of Letidor about what the menstrual cycle is, as well as about menstruation during pregnancy.

Tatyana Vladimirovna Grigorieva, obstetrician-gynecologist "SM-Clinic"

Can menstruation guarantee that pregnancy has not occurred

First, let's remember what the menstrual cycle is. This is the alternation of the menstruation itself (lasts 3-7 days), the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase. During menstruation, the mucous membranes of the uterus are shed. The process is accompanied by bleeding (this happens at the end of the ovulatory cycle). If there was no ovulation, then the bleeding is called menstrual-like.

It is extremely rare for two eggs to mature in one cycle (but this happens!): one is fertilized, and the second is rejected by the body and causes the onset of menstruation.

Menstruation during pregnancy is not normal.

However, do we always understand the nature of bleeding from the vagina without medical diagnosis? If during the alleged menstruation a woman noticed spotting, but their nature is different from the usual menstruation (the discharge is scarce, ends quickly, has a brown or bright scarlet color) and you remember that unprotected intercourse took place - this is a reason to do pregnancy test and see a doctor.

What can menstruation mean during pregnancy

After fertilization of the egg and the onset of pregnancy, menstruation does not occur throughout the entire process of bearing the fetus.

It should be remembered that the appearance of any bloody discharge from the vagina during a confirmed pregnancy (positive urinary pregnancy test, ultrasound data, hCG values) indicates possible pathologies. For example, when there is a threat of miscarriage and termination of pregnancy (started spontaneous abortion), placenta previa (low, marginal, complete).

Scanty spotting during the first days of pregnancy may be nothing more than implantation bleeding. Implantation of a fertilized egg (blastocyst) into the endometrium occurs 7-10 days after conception, that is, in fact, approximately on the days when menstruation should come in case of late ovulation.

The introduction of the blastocyst is accompanied by the destruction of the capillaries, and, consequently, there is a release of blood in a small amount. But, unlike true menstrual bleeding, implantation does not last long: in most cases, a day, or even less.

What effect does progesterone have on the mucous membranes of the uterus

Progesterone is the most important hormone throughout pregnancy. It is involved in the preparation of the endometrium for the implantation of a fertilized egg, the development of the fetus, and prevents premature birth. The reason for the occurrence of bloody discharge from the vagina, including on the days on which the woman previously had menstruation, may be a lack of this hormone.

Left unattended, hormonal bleeding can lead to spontaneous abortion.

However, in most cases, with timely treatment, it is possible to remove the deficient condition and minimize the risks.

Can spotting indicate an ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg deviates from its intended path and attaches in the wrong place - outside the uterine cavity. The appearance of bloody discharge from the genital tract is not uncommon in ectopic pregnancy.

Unlike menstrual bleeding, they have a thicker consistency and dark color.

It should be remembered that in the early stages, the signs of an ectopic (ectopic) pregnancy are very similar to those of a normal pregnancy (delayed menstruation, swelling of the mammary glands, positive urine pregnancy test).

Any suspected ectopic pregnancy is an indication for emergency hospitalization, as this is a life-threatening condition.

When do menstrual flow occur and what does it mean

In most other cases, bleeding during early pregnancy (in the first trimester) is an alarming symptom.

For example, it may indicate that the placenta is located in the lower part of the uterus and covers its internal os (this can be interpreted as a threat of abortion).

In the second and third trimester, bleeding may indicate uterine rupture (eg, may occur if there is a scar on the uterus from a previous birth), premature detachment of a normally located placenta, and other problems.

Bleeding during pregnancy is a sure sign for the expectant mother that an urgent need to see a doctor.

It is important to remember that periods during pregnancy are not normal. For any bleeding in this case, the help of a specialist is needed.

How often do periods occur during pregnancy

15-20% of pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion in the early stages. However, it is important to understand that although bloody discharge from the vagina against the background of a live intrauterine pregnancy is designated by doctors as a “threat of miscarriage”, but in a large number of cases, despite a formidable diagnosis, such a pregnancy is safely carried out.

If the interruption does occur, in most cases (overwhelming) we are talking about genetic abnormalities of the fetus that are incompatible with life. Other reasons include infectious diseases in the early stages, hormonal disruptions, physical overload, and so on.

Should I see a doctor if bleeding during pregnancy occurs only after intercourse

The appearance of bloody discharge from the genital tract after intercourse may indicate erosion of the cervix, the presence of polyps of the cervical canal.