Although some women may experience light vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, menstruation only occurs when pregnancy is not present. Since you don't ovulate during pregnancy, you won't get your period. However, it is not uncommon to see some losses at the start of pregnancy such as dew losses.
Can You Have Your Period When You're Pregnant?
It is impossible to get your period for the duration of your pregnancy because as soon as the body starts producing the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), your period stops. However, some women may experience vaginal bleeding during their pregnancy. Some even mention intermittent bleeding resembling regular periods. However, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is not the same as periods.
Periods only happen when you are not pregnant. Each month, your uterus prepares for the implantation of an egg in the mucous membrane. When the egg is not fertilized, this tissue is shed by the body in the form of menstruation. Conversely, when the egg is fertilized, it attaches itself to the uterine lining so that the egg develops. You will not start having your periods again until the end of your pregnancy.
Causes of Bleeding During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, bleeding can occur for a variety of reasons, some serious, some not.
During pregnancy, many things can happen that can lead to light bleeding, some severe, some not.
-
Implantation bleeding
Some women may have light bleeding or spotting in the week before their expected period. These bleedings are generally much less abundant than the usual periods and last only one or two days. This bleeding is known as implantation bleeding, because they are caused by the penetration of the fertilized egg into the mucous membrane.
-
Hormonal changes
We talk about hormonal bleeding when women have light bleeding between the fourth and eighth week of pregnancy, around the time when their periods should have arrived. This can be very confusing for pregnant women and is the reason why many women don't realize they are pregnant for some time. Again, this is completely normal. The problem usually settles around the 13th week of pregnancy, because at that time, the placenta is sufficiently developed to produce all the hormones necessary for the good progress of the pregnancy.
-
Medical examinations or sexual intercourse
You may also experience bleeding after a pap smear, vaginal exam, or sexual intercourse. This is because there is more blood flowing to the cervix during pregnancy.
-
Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
Heavier, more period-like bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy may indicate something more serious. Sometimes this bleeding can be a sign of vaginal infection, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. In any case, when you notice bleeding during your pregnancy, talk to your gynecologist immediately.
Can You Get Pregnant During Your Period?
You may have heard that you can't get pregnant during your period, but that's not quite true. Although it is unlikely that you will become pregnant before or during your period, having your period does not protect against pregnancy. Indeed, there is always a small chance of getting pregnant during this time of the month due to three main elements:
- The duration of the menstrual cycle
- The time of ovulation
- The lifespan of sperm in the uterus
In theory, since a woman's ovulation cycles can vary, it's statistically possible that you could get pregnant during your period. Therefore, if you're not trying to get pregnant, it's important to have safer sex every time. This includes using some form of birth control, such as wearing a condom or taking birth control pills.
