Can You Have Your Period and Still Be
Pregnant
From LoveToKnow Pregnancy
Can you have your period and still be pregnant? It isn’t likely, but you may experience some bleeding in certain situations. In some instances, spotting is no reason for concern but it is always a good idea to talk about your experience with your doctor.
Bleeding and Pregnancy
Some women may think that they have their period after they become pregnant but the discharge is different. If you are trying to conceive and you have the symptoms of a regular monthly cycle, you are most likely not pregnant. The first step is to consider some of the scenarios that may cause you to have spotting or discharge while you are pregnant.
Implantation Bleeding
It may be easy to confuse implantation bleeding with a very light period. This is especially true if you tend to have irregular, light menstrual cycles because the implantation discharge can be accompanied by some period symptoms, including slight cramping, bloating, as well as some of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in some cases.
Implantation bleeding is not a short menstrual cycle, but a result of the fertilized egg attaching to the lining of the uterus as part of conception. Sometimes the process results in a small amount of blood being discharged since the uterine lining consists of blood.
This type of discharge is an early pregnancy symptom and it is important to keep in mind that the spotting occurs before you expect to have your monthly cycle. If you experience bleeding that occurs after you expect your period and you have other pregnancy symptoms, see a physician as soon as possible. Implantation typically occurs roughly one week before you expect your period.
Pregnancy Problems and Bleeding
Women who experience heavy bleeding, cramping, and other menstrual cycle symptoms while they are pregnant should get in touch with their doctors immediately. Spotting during pregnancy can be a sign that there may be a problem, especially if the discharge is heavy and bright red in color.
Bleeding can also be a sign that the woman is having an ectopic pregnancy, in which the egg connects to an area other than the womb. Spotting typically occurs with significant pain in cases of ectopic pregnancies. The bleeding may also occur in cases of molar pregnancies, in which little or no fetal tissue is present.
Pain and bleeding are indicators of possible miscarriage as well, so it is critical to call your physician if you experience bleeding when you know you are pregnant.
Can You Have Your Period and Still Be Pregnant
Can you have your period and still be pregnant? Dr. Peter H. R. Roberts answers the question by reminding us of how the menstrual cycle works. Dr. Roberts is the medical director of obstetrics and gynecology at Providence Portland Medical Center and he provides valuable insight into the topic.
Basically, the developing fetus needs the blood and nutrients in the uterus as it grows. If the egg is fertilized, it attaches to the lining, which can result in some pink or brown spotting in some cases. If the egg isn’t fertilized, it is released along with the rest of the lining in the menstrual cycle. It is highly unlikely that you would have a period while you are pregnant because the lining is the embryo’s home.
In cases of ectopic pregnancies, the egg does not attach properly to the lining, making it possible to have a period. This seems to be the only circumstance in which you have a period while you are pregnant because the embryo is not attached to the lining that makes up the menstrual cycle.
Conclusion
The popular consensus is that you can’t be pregnant and still have your period. This is because the body needs the blood and nutrients in the uterus for the developing fetus. The presence of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone reduces the likelihood that your period will arrive as well since the hormone stops ovulation from occurring.
It is important to note that you may become pregnant while you are having your period in some rare situations. Can you have your period and still get pregnant? is another question entirely..
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Comments
Catrina, if you think you are pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test. These can be as little as $4 and can be done in private. You may want to get a box with more than one test in case you doubt the initial results. A pregnant woman won't get a period, but there may be some other pregnancy-related bleeding that can occur.
-- Contributed by: HollySwansoni think im pregnancy but i still have my period every month but now i see that can't be i don't know what jump in my stomach i don't want to go to the doctor and look like a fool i need help
-- Contributed by: catrina spencer
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