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Menstruation during pregnancy

Medical expert of the article

Obstetrician-gynecologist, reproductive specialist
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025

As a rule, a woman learns about pregnancy no earlier than the fourth or even the fifth week of the term. One of the signs of conception is the absence of menstruation. But there are situations when the next menstruation occurs during pregnancy, which is scanty, shorter in duration discharge.

Bleeding may be caused by an ectopic pregnancy, predisposition to miscarriage, hormonal imbalance, overexertion, trauma or infectious and inflammatory processes in the genital area. Sometimes it happens that the female body continues to produce eggs despite the presence of one fertilized one. A rather rare phenomenon, typical for the first month of pregnancy, is explained by the egg not reaching the implantation site.

The presence of menstruation during pregnancy is a reason to visit a gynecologist. Any type of bloody discharge is not normal, especially if accompanied by a nagging pain, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen. If such symptoms do not disappear, but on the contrary only intensify, then you should call an ambulance.

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Why do periods start during pregnancy?

Having a period at the beginning of pregnancy is considered quite common. Fertilization occurs in the middle of the cycle, and the fertilized egg reaches "its place" in seven to fifteen days. Hormonal changes have not yet had time to occur, which is why menstruation begins during pregnancy. The following month, as a rule, the situation improves.

There are cases when the hormonal background is adjusted, the embryo develops, but menstruation still appears. These deviations from the norm, which do not pose a threat of termination of pregnancy, are detected within three to four months after conception with a decrease in estrogen levels.

In the theory of obstetrics, there is data on the simultaneous maturation of two eggs belonging to different ovaries. In this case, fertilization of one egg occurs and the rejection of the second, causing menstruation during pregnancy. Such a situation is a very rare and complex phenomenon.

It is important to remember that bloody discharge is also a symptom of spontaneous abortion, so if there is heavy bleeding and severe pain, seek medical help immediately.

During pregnancy, my period started

The life that is emerging inside a woman radically changes not only her physiology. The expectant mother develops a special sense - the instinct of preservation, which dictates the woman's behavior and food preferences, warning against danger. Therefore, it is completely understandable for a woman to be concerned if her period starts during pregnancy. Stories from friends that someone she knows also had discharge throughout her pregnancy should not be a criterion for you. If your period appears at any stage of embryo formation, seek professional advice.

Menstruation during early pregnancy is the most dangerous. Common causes of bloody discharge - hyperandrogenism (male hormone "off the scale") or progesterone deficiency are successfully and quickly resolved by prescribing special drugs. More complex situations, such as ectopic pregnancy, require immediate response and surgical intervention.

On the other hand, the detection of bloody discharge at the beginning of pregnancy may indicate the process of attachment of the fertilized egg to the endometrium of the uterus, which does not pose a threat of miscarriage.

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If you have your period during pregnancy

Every month, the female body matures an egg. If fertilization does not occur, it is destroyed. The remains of the egg and parts of the endometrium, which forms the walls of the uterus, are excreted along with the blood. If conception has occurred, progesterone is actively produced. The function of the hormone is to activate the growth of the endometrium to attach the embryo and prevent contractile uterine activity.

Bloody discharge during pregnancy is not menstruation. Factors influencing the appearance of spotting or more obvious discharge may be pathologies, hormonal "malfunctions". Also, the cause of discharge is the detachment of the ovum and the possibility of miscarriage.

A progesterone deficiency is a common reason for menstruation during pregnancy. A small amount of the hormone causes blood to appear. In this condition, the doctor prescribes hormone-containing drugs to prevent the threat of miscarriage.

When two embryos are conceived, one of them is sometimes rejected (developmental pathologies, incorrect implantation, etc.) and, as a result, menstruation during pregnancy.

Days of menstruation during pregnancy

The appearance of bloody discharge during menstruation during pregnancy at any stage of gestation requires consultation, sometimes examination by a specialist. Most often, women encounter this phenomenon in the first trimester, and the fourth, fifth, eighth, ninth, twelfth and thirteenth weeks are considered dangerous. The presence of blood is associated with the passage of the fertilized egg and the likelihood of miscarriage. The reasons for this may be:

  • lack of progesterone, which maintains pregnancy at the initial stage, due to problems with the functioning of the "corpus luteum";
  • an increase in the amount of the male hormone androgen, which provokes the release of the fertilized egg;
  • the egg is attached in the wrong place (in the presence of fibroids, endometriosis);
  • arrest of embryo development, appearance of defects, genetic pathologies;
  • ectopic pregnancy.

Why do I feel sick during my period when I'm pregnant?

Toxicosis is one of the symptoms of conception that half of pregnant women have to live with. But is it always a safe signal? As it turns out, nausea can indicate a number of pathologies:

  • toxicosis and frozen pregnancy - a sharp change in condition from severe nausea and weakness to full vigor at the beginning of the term may indicate the death of the embryo. Sometimes a nagging pain in the lower abdomen and bloody discharge join;
  • toxicosis and ectopic pregnancy - the development of the fetus outside the uterus has the same symptoms as a normal pregnancy. A woman feels sick during her period during pregnancy as a result of a ruptured fallopian tube;
  • toxicosis and multiple pregnancy – one of the embryos is rejected (usually due to genetic disorders, developmental defects), and the second continues to develop.

If you feel sick and have vaginal discharge, it is best to visit a gynecologist to avoid adverse effects. A timely visit to the hospital will bring moral peace and allow you to save the pregnancy in case of possible deviations.

Menstruation during pregnancy is a pathological process that can be called rather a threatening bleeding with possible spontaneous miscarriage. A serious signal should not be ignored, especially if the expectant mother herself has the slightest concern.

Signs of periods during pregnancy

"Fertility washing" or "color pregnancy" are medical terms that characterize the appearance of menstruation after conception. According to experts, menstruation sometimes occurs in the first months of pregnancy, but acquires its own distinctive features. A cycle failure may occur (lengthening/shortening), blood discharge becomes more scanty (less often more abundant).

Sometimes the signs of menstruation during pregnancy do not differ significantly from normal menstruation - engorgement of the nipples, sudden mood swings, changes in taste preferences, headaches, a feeling of fatigue and drowsiness, increased or decreased appetite, etc.

If you suspect a possible pregnancy, you can use a test. Bleeding will not affect the accuracy, since the pregnancy test is sensitive to hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), the level of which increases in the blood and then in the urine. Home testing is more reliable the longer the pregnancy period, and depends on the sensitivity of the test.

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First period during pregnancy

Low hormone levels are the main cause of bloody discharge after conception. Which woman today can boast of a normal hormonal background? Light, painless, the first period during pregnancy can be observed when moving. Such discharge often ends at night and is not a cause for concern. A woman is still recommended to consult a gynecologist.

Causes of menstruation through the fetus:

  • progesterone deficiency due to dysfunction of the corpus luteum;
  • the phenomenon of hyperandrogenism – detachment of the fertilized egg as a result of the production of a large amount of the male hormone androgen;
  • incorrect attachment of the egg - "frozen" pregnancy, genetic disorders that provoke a miscarriage;
  • development of pregnancy outside the uterus.

A frozen pregnancy is a condition in which the embryo stops developing and dies. Scanty, spotting discharge appears.

An ectopic pregnancy is dangerous due to the possible rupture of the fallopian tube, so if your first period occurs during pregnancy, you should consult an obstetrician-gynecologist.

What are periods like during pregnancy?

During the process of implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine cavity, a violation of the integrity of the endometrium is sometimes observed, resulting in bleeding. Such discharge continues until the egg is completely located in the uterine cavity.

What are periods like during pregnancy? Sometimes there are scanty dark red or brown discharges. As practice shows, the so-called "fetal washing" passes on its own and can be slightly painful.

The cause of spotting may be physiological characteristics - the presence of doubling, pronounced saddle-shaped uterus, etc. The presence of abundant scarlet blood with painful sensations of a pulling, cramping type is an alarming signal of termination of pregnancy.

Whatever your period during pregnancy, you should consult a specialist who will prescribe a series of examinations, or, if necessary, immediately call emergency medical care.

Heavy periods during pregnancy

The presence of blood-like discharge during the period after conception is not the norm. It is important for the expectant mother to understand that a few drops on the underwear occur as a result of the attachment of the fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus, but heavy periods during pregnancy are already a pathology. Factors that provoke bleeding:

  • miscarriage - there is scarlet, profuse discharge with aching, cramping attacks of pain in the abdomen and lower back;
  • frozen pregnancy - the cause may be the presence of genetic pathologies of the fetus, and the symptoms are the same as with a miscarriage;
  • pregnancy outside the uterus - characterized by heavy bleeding, difficult to diagnose at an early stage. Ectopic pregnancy is accompanied by all the signs of normal conception - toxicosis, increased fatigue/weakness, swelling of the mammary glands, increased basal temperature. Rejection of the fetus or rupture of the fallopian tube occurs with a sharp, cramping pain syndrome and profuse bleeding;
  • placental presentation (location in the area of the internal os) – occurs in the second-third trimester of pregnancy. Bleeding can be quite severe, threatening termination of pregnancy.

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Painful periods during pregnancy

Painful periods during pregnancy are a good reason to visit an obstetrician-gynecologist. After fertilization, menstruation stops, and the detachment of the uterine mucosa in this case is called bleeding or spontaneous abortion.

Low progesterone levels can cause a miscarriage. In this case, the doctor prescribes drugs to maintain pregnancy in the early stages - Utrozhestan, Duphaston, and others. The problem of miscarriage is associated with isthmic-cervical insufficiency, when the uterus is unable to withstand the increasing load with the growth of the embryo and its cervix begins to open. This condition is a consequence of traumatic childbirth, abortions, which form non-stretchable scars.

Pain and menstruation during pregnancy are the first signs of a miscarriage. An abortion can be complete (the entire fertilized egg has come out) or incomplete (only part of the fertilized egg has come out). In the case of an incomplete abortion, medical intervention may be required, as the condition is dangerous due to the resumption of bleeding. At the initial stage of a spontaneous abortion, in most cases, it is possible to save the pregnancy in a hospital setting, so it is important to call an ambulance if cramping and severe pain occurs against the background of bleeding.

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Scanty periods during pregnancy

At the first stage of embryo development, vaginal spotting is possible. The process of penetration of the fertilized egg into the uterine wall is accompanied by small ruptures of the endometrial mucosa and a slight appearance of blood. Scanty periods during pregnancy are single or repeated until the embryo reaches the size of the uterus.

Light spotting of brown or red discharge usually does not cause discomfort and goes away on its own. If necessary, you can undergo ultrasound diagnostics to assess the condition of the ovum.

Minor periods during pregnancy are observed in the presence of diseases - erosion, polyps, etc. The cause of discharge may be the presence of neoplasms. Therefore, a consultation with a gynecologist is recommended if any amount of blood is detected during gestation.

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Heavy periods during pregnancy

The beginning of pregnancy occurs under the influence of progesterone and estrogen, which increase blood flow to the cervix, which can cause short-term and mild bleeding.

Lower abdominal cramps and heavy menstruation during pregnancy can provoke a miscarriage, pose a threat to the woman's life and require immediate hospitalization. One of the causes of heavy bleeding is an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs in the fallopian tube, ovary or abdominal cavity. The fertilized egg develops to the size of the fallopian tube, and then an abortion or rupture of the tube occurs (may be without bleeding). Sudden, sharp pain during rupture of the fallopian tube is replaced by loss of consciousness. It is necessary to take the woman to the hospital as soon as possible. Tubal abortion is characterized by pain syndrome and subsequent bleeding. In this situation, surgical intervention is also necessary.

Heavy periods during pregnancy are a consequence of infectious diseases resulting from inflammation of the cervix. With urgent contact with a gynecologist, most diseases are successfully treated during pregnancy without causing harm to the fetus.

Full periods during pregnancy

Female physiology is such that the absence of fertilization leads to the rejection of the inner uterine layer (endometrium), causing bleeding. The endometrium serves as a place for the embryo to attach, so if conception occurs and blood appears, we are talking about various disorders.

According to gynecologists, full-fledged menstruation during pregnancy is completely excluded. But bleeding, which is a threat to termination of pregnancy, can develop due to certain factors. Discharges resembling menstruation in the amount of blood and duration often entail the loss of the child.

Bleeding is possible in the first months after conception, when pregnancy occurs immediately after a normal cycle. Let's remember the viability of sperm in the female womb for up to seven to eight days. Menstruation during pregnancy can be provoked by the moment of implantation of the fertilized egg into the endometrium, damage to the cervix during sexual intercourse, infectious diseases.

The appearance of any discharge at any stage of pregnancy is a necessity for a medical consultation, ultrasound or other diagnostics.

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Pain during menstruation during pregnancy

The causes of bloody discharge after conception may not be harmless at all, and the consequences are disastrous. Diseases of the expectant mother (endometriosis, myoma), genetic pathologies during embryo development, ectopic pregnancy, unfavorable attachment of the fetus, excess of male hormone are factors that cause menstruation during pregnancy.

Various types of discharge (scanty or, on the contrary, abundant), accompanied by pain syndrome, are an alarming sign. Timely visit to the gynecologist will allow you to avoid many problems with bearing a child.

Menstrual cramps that cover the entire abdomen and lower back during pregnancy are a good reason to call an ambulance. An independent visit to the doctor can cause a miscarriage.

Criteria for miscarriage:

  • threat stage – there is heaviness in the lower abdomen, a pulling pain in the lower abdomen and in the sacrum;
  • the onset of spontaneous abortion - bloody discharge, increased pain and its intensity;
  • The condition of abortion is accompanied by pain in the abdomen and lower back, and often progresses rapidly.

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Who to contact?

Sex during menstruation during pregnancy

Few couples prefer intimate closeness during menstruation. Gynecologists warn against physical love during critical days due to the particular vulnerability of the cervix (pathogenic microorganisms easily penetrate the reproductive organ) and recommend using a condom. The onset of conception also imposes its own restrictions on sex: for medical contraindications, with the threat of miscarriage and multiple pregnancy, at the initial stage of embryo development.

It is better not to have sex during menstruation during pregnancy, since the presence of discharge in itself can be a dangerous condition, foreshadowing a miscarriage, developmental pathologies, the presence of an ectopic pregnancy and hormonal imbalance. Intimacy in these cases can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion.

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