This is one of the questions that many women tend to ask from time to time. But to put it simply the answer is NO! It is not possible to have a period and still be pregnant. Yes, you might have some light spotting during early pregnancy, which is usually light pink or dark brown in colour but that’s still not a period. As long as the bleeding does not fill a pad or tampon, it’s a sign that you’re probably pregnant. If you’ve had a positive pregnancy test and are bleeding heavily, seek medical care. So then why might you be bleeding yet you know you are pregnant? Let’s find out
Why You Can't Have a Period While Pregnant?
Once your body starts producing the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), your periods will stop. The menstrual cycle occurs to facilitate pregnancy. The cycle begins on the first day of a person’s period and ends on the first day of the following period. An actual period happens when the uterine lining sheds at the end of a menstrual cycle. When an egg goes unfertilized, levels of the hormones that control the egg's release drop and cause your uterine lining, which has thickened in the first half of your cycle as it awaited a fertilized egg, to shed in what we refer to as a period. That’s why a missed period is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy (though you may have light implantation bleeding for a few days).
Then what are other reasons for bleeding during pregnancy?
Bleeding while expecting (especially in the first trimester) Is not uncommon. People can bleed during pregnancy for various reasons. Here are a few common ones.
After penetrative vaginal sex
There's also the possibility of bleeding after sexual intercourse or any vaginal penetration. Remember that the cervix is more sensitive during pregnancy, in order to increase the chances that stimulation such as contact with a penis, sex toy, or finger might lead to light bleeding. Sometimes, you may also experience some bleeding after a pelvic exam.
Implantation bleeding
This occurs at the time the fertilized egg, known as the embryo, reaches the uterus and attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. Implantation bleeding is seen as light pinkish or brownish spotting, occurring 10 to 14 days after conception. The bleeding may look like the start of your period but remains light and does not progressively get heavier.
Ectopic pregnancy
This happens in the first trimester when the fetus starts to grow outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. The amount of bleeding with an ectopic pregnancy may vary. It's also associated with unilateral pain, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Since ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening if untreated, seek medical attention if you have bleeding with any symptoms such as dizziness or sudden pain.
Unfortunately, most pregnancy losses occur during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. A miscarriage (or a threatened miscarriage) usually presents itself as bleeding associated with uterine cramping. Some women also report experiencing the passage of large blood clots from the vagina. If you have these symptoms, alert a doctor right away.
Pregnancy complications
Some other reasons why you might see bleeding during the first trimester include a subchorionic haemorrhage (a blood clot that forms behind the developing placenta), a cervical infection, placenta previa (when the placenta implants and grows over the cervix), or benign cervical polyps. Not all of these are dangerous, but in general, anytime you have bleeding during pregnancy, you'll want to call your prenatal health care provider.
This is not to say that bleeding cannot occur in the 2nd or 3rd trimesters. Bleeding can also result from vasa previa (where the blood vessels of the placenta are in an abnormal location and cross over the cervix), a placental abruption (where the placenta begins to pull away from the wall of the uterus prematurely), or even labour.
The takeaway
Although bleeding in pregnancy is common, it’s not possible to get your period while pregnant. It's crucial to always get it assessed because some causes of bleeding during pregnancy could be dangerous. Pain or no pain, if you’re pregnant and bleeding call a health care provider for further instruction.
Stay informed, stay in control Was this helpful?
This is such an informative post! I never knew the difference between spotting and an actual period during pregnancy. The explanation about how the body produces the hCG hormone to stop menstruation makes perfect sense. It’s also good to know that light bleeding can happen for various reasons, like after sex or a pelvic exam, and doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem. If anyone experiences heavy bleeding during pregnancy, though, it’s reassuring to know they should seek medical care immediately. Thanks for breaking this down so clearly! If you're as intrigued as I am about solutions blog, I highly recommend checking out my latest blog post. When you're in need of quick and convenient solutions for temporary sanitation or security, portable options can…
This is a very informative post! I appreciate the clear explanation that it's not possible to have a period while pregnant. It's also reassuring to know that light spotting or bleeding during early pregnancy can happen, but it's not the same as a regular period. The section explaining why periods stop due to the hormone hCG was very helpful in understanding the biological process. Additionally, the information about possible causes of bleeding during pregnancy, like after sex or pelvic exams, is a great reminder that this can be normal in some cases. Thank you for providing such useful details and advice! If you're as intrigued as I am about solutions blog, I highly recommend checking out my latest blog post Bitdefender is…
Thank you for the informative post! It's great to clarify the common misconception that you can have a period while pregnant. As you explained, the presence of bleeding during pregnancy, especially in the early stages, can be concerning, but it’s important to distinguish between spotting and a true period. I appreciate how you highlighted the different causes of bleeding during pregnancy, including the sensitivity of the cervix and the potential effects of sexual intercourse or pelvic exams. It’s always helpful to know when to seek medical care, especially if the bleeding is heavy. This article provides a lot of useful information for women to better understand their bodies during pregnancy! If you're as intrigued as I am about solutions blog, I…
This is such an informative post! It's great to know that bleeding during pregnancy isn't the same as a period and that it's important to understand the difference. The explanation about how the menstrual cycle works and why periods stop once pregnancy occurs was really clear. I also appreciate how you highlighted potential causes for bleeding during pregnancy, such as after intercourse or a pelvic exam. It's reassuring to know that light spotting isn't necessarily a cause for concern, but heavy bleeding should be checked out by a doctor. Thank you for sharing this helpful insight! If you're as intrigued as I am about solutions blog, I highly recommend checking out my latest blog post. Brother printers are widely used for both…
This is a great and informative post! It's important to clarify the difference between a period and other types of bleeding during pregnancy. I appreciate how you highlighted that while light spotting can happen, it is not the same as a period. The explanation about why periods stop during pregnancy, due to the hormone hCG, is very clear and easy to understand. Also, it's reassuring to know that light bleeding after sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam can be normal, but heavy bleeding should always be taken seriously. Thanks for sharing this helpful information! If you're as intrigued as I am about solutions blog, I highly recommend checking out my latest blog post. In today’s connected world, a stable and strong Wi-Fi…