Menstruation and Pregnancy: Can You Be Pregnant and Still Have Periods?

Introduction: Can you be pregnant and have a period?

The short answer is no. People might tell you otherwise, or claim certain things. But, it isn’t possible to have your periods while being pregnant.

If you’re experiencing heavy bleeding while you’re pregnant, you might be having an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg doesn’t implant itself to the uterus, rather it attaches somewhere else. Fertilized eggs cannot survive anywhere outside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy causes a lot of bleeding and is a medical emergency. In almost all cases of ectopic pregnancies, women have had to remove the fertilised egg either through medications or surgeries in advanced cases.

Stages of the menstrual cycle

There are four stages in the menstrual cycle.

1. The Menstruation Phase

The day you start your period is the beginning of the menstruation phase of the menstrual cycle. In this phase, the uterine lining comes out of your body as period blood because you are not pregnant. It is natural to feel tired and overwhelmed in this phase.

2. The Follicular Phase

The day you stop bleeding marks the beginning of the follicular phase. Your uterine lining gets rebuilt in this phase to support a fertilised egg. The follicular-stimulating hormone increases, leading to the development of follicles that will turn into an egg in your ovaries. You will typically feel energised in this phase.

3. The Ovulation Phase

In the ovulation phase, your ovary releases the egg that has developed. This is usually between 14 to 21 days of your menstrual cycle. This is the phase at which your energy levels are at a peak.

4. The Luteal Phase

At the beginning of this phase, your progesterone and oestrogen levels drop quickly, leading to PMS symptoms. The luteal phase, usually between 21 to 35 days of your cycle, is when the egg released travels down the fallopian tubes. Besides, the uterine lining grows stronger to support a baby.

If fertilized, the egg implants itself in the uterus. Otherwise, the uterine lining sheds and your menstrual cycle starts all over again.

How long is a menstrual cycle?

Each woman is unique, and so is her menstrual cycle. While we commonly refer to a 28-day cycle as “normal,” the reality is that it falls within a range. A typical menstrual cycle can range anywhere from 21 to 35 days.

What is the Cycle of Menstruation and Pregnancy?

Most women have a 28-day menstrual cycle. That means you have about 6 days each month when you can get pregnant. That includes the day that one of your ovaries releases an egg, called ovulation, and the 5 days before. Having sex within that window is key.

A woman is most fertile during her ovulation days. You should ideally be at work during these few days.

Most women have a 28-day menstrual cycle. There are period trackers and calculators available online to check when your ovulation days are. You just need to put in the days of your periods and it’ll do the job for you.

If you’re a math geek, here’s how to do it:

First calculate the length of your menstrual cycle. Count the days from the first day of your last period to the first day of your next period.

From this, subtract 14 days from the end of your current cycle. This is the tentative date of your ovulation.

What are menstruation during pregnancy symptoms?

Wondering if periods come during pregnancy, the answer is no. Menstruation and pregnancy symptoms don’t really overlap at all. So, if you’ve noticed blood, here’s what it might be.

You might be experiencing a small amount of bleeding or spotting. This happens when a fertilised egg attaches itself to the uterus. It is called implantation bleeding in medical terms. The spotting is usually pink or dark brown in color. You experience implantation bleeding only during the beginning of your first trimester or the beginning of your pregnancy. And this usually happens around the time you get your period. It’s really just a jump scare for women who want to conceive.

If you found your pregnancy test results to be positive, but are now bleeding heavily; enough to fill a pad or a tampon, see a doctor immediately. It might be a miscarriage.

Other causes of bleeding during pregnancy

Even though a woman does not undergo menstruation during pregnancy, you might experience some bleeding. While bleeding doesn’t always indicate a serious issue, it’s crucial to recognise the potential causes and know when to seek medical advice.

1.First trimester

Slight bleeding is common during the first trimester, as the placenta implants itself in the uterus, and there might be changes in cervical cells. Here are some other reasons for bleeding in the first trimester.

• An infection
• Medical emergencies, such as an ectopic pregnancy, where the baby develops outside the uterus.
• Subchorionic haemorrhage – the bleeding between the placenta and the uterine lining.
• Gestational trophoblastic disease – an uncommon condition that can mimic pregnancy. It involves the formation of a tumour that may contain abnormal fetal tissue.
• Miscarriage

2. After 20 weeks

It is rare to bleed in the later stages of your pregnancy. However, if you are bleeding, here are some reasons that might have caused it.

• Cervical examination: Doctors may conduct a cervical examination to detect abnormalities, which may lead to minor bleeding.
• Placenta previa: This condition arises when the placenta attaches near or covers the cervical opening.
• Preterm labour or labour: During labour, cervical dilation and uterine contractions help facilitate fetal movement, sometimes resulting in bleeding.
• Sexual intercourse: While many women can safely engage in sexual activity during pregnancy, heightened vaginal and cervical tissue sensitivity may lead to spotting or bleeding.
• Uterine rupture: This rare but serious emergency occurs when the uterus tears during labour, particularly more likely if a woman has had prior cesarean deliveries or uterine surgeries.
• Placental abruption: This emergency occurs when the placenta begins separating from the uterus before childbirth.

When you’re most fertile

Your peak fertility usually happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle, when ovulation occurs. We call this the ‘fertile window.’ But exactly when it happens can vary depending on the length of your cycle. Typically, it’s around 14 days before your period begins.

Tracking ovulation

If you’re aiming to get pregnant and want to pinpoint your ovulation time, there are various methods you can try. However, it’s essential to note that these methods aren’t reliable for contraception. You can:

• Keep a diary or mark your period dates on a calendar.
• Use an ovulation calculator.
• Try a period-tracking app.
• Monitor changes in your body temperature and vaginal mucus.
• Use an ovulation prediction kit.

Why does your period stop when you are pregnant?

You don’t get your periods when you are pregnant because your body stops shedding the uterine lining. This lining, during normal times, is shed and comes out of the vagina in the form of blood and uterine tissues.

When a baby is on its way, the tissues keep clinging to the wall of the uterus, on top of each other as the egg grows more and more to resemble a little human. When the baby is delivered, this uterine lining is released by the body in the form of postpartum bleeding.

So, does periods come during pregnancy? Not a chance if things are good!

When to see a doctor?

If you’re pregnant and experience bright red bleeding, it’s crucial to get immediate medical help if you notice any of these additional symptoms:

• Pain and cramping
• Feeling dizzy or fainting
• Heavy bleeding or passing clots
• Severe pain in the stomach and pelvis

It’s also essential to see a doctor in the following cases:

• Early in pregnancy, vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain indicate an ectopic pregnancy.
• If you’re bleeding and experiencing symptoms of preterm labour, which is labour before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Symptoms may include a constant ache in the lower back, abdominal cramping, and regular contractions.

Conclusion

If you’re pregnant and notice bleeding, it’s important to know it’s not the same as having your period. Sometimes, bleeding occurs due to normal changes in your body during pregnancy.

However, heavy bleeding could signal a health concern that needs medical attention. It’s best to talk to a healthcare provider for advice and guidance in such cases.

If you still have any questions related to periods, pregnancy, conceiving or anything in between, comment below.

FAQs

1. How many days after your period can you get pregnant?

You can get pregnant if you have sexual intercourse during ovulation, typically about 14 days after the start of your period.

2. Can I get pregnant 7 days before my period?

Pregnancy is less likely 7 days before your period due to low fertility, but not impossible.

3. How many days are there between period and pregnancy?

The fertile window is usually around 14 days after the start of your period, depending on your cycle length. Read the blog to find out more.

4. Is it safe 5 days before and after menstruation?

Pregnancy risk varies, but it’s generally safer to avoid unprotected sex 5 days before and after menstruation as the sperm can still survive for a few days inside the uterus.

5. Can I be pregnant and still have periods?

No. It’s rare but possible to have light bleeding during pregnancy that resembles periods, but it’s not a true menstrual cycle. Visit a doctor if you experience this.