Again and again in the news there are stories of women who say that they were pregnant despite periods. This sounds strange to many women, because the pregnancy should have been noticed by the absence of periods. However, many of these women report that they would have continued to have regular periods.
Can you be pregnant despite having a period?
However, it is completely impossible to get your period during pregnancy, as the two are mutually exclusive. During menstruation, the lining of the uterus, called the placenta, is shed by the body. If, on the other hand, a woman is pregnant, a fertilized egg has nested in the placenta. The mucous membrane is not shed because it is responsible for supplying the baby with nutrients and oxygen. Without the placenta, the baby would not survive. In addition, the placenta produces hormones that maintain pregnancy. Therefore, it is biologically impossible to be pregnant despite having periods.
Causes of bleeding despite pregnancy
Nevertheless, bleeding can occur during pregnancy. These can have different causes depending on the time. About nine to ten days after fertilization of the egg, there may be implantation bleeding, also called nidation bleeding. This is caused by the implantation of the fertilized egg in the lining of the uterus. Nidation bleeding is lighter than menstrual bleeding and lasts about 24 to 48 hours. In most cases, nidation bleeding is harmless. Another reason for bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy can be hormonal imbalances. At the beginning of pregnancy, the hormone balance has not yet been properly adjusted. The hormones still have to adjust to the fact that menstruation has to stop. This can lead to hormonal bleeding. These then occur at the same time as the woman would actually have had her period. Bleeding can also occur after sexual intercourse or an examination at the gynecologist. Because the genitals are better supplied with blood during pregnancy, minor injuries to the veins can occur, so-called contact bleeding. This is usually not dangerous, but the gynecologist should still be informed. Growths in the uterus, also called cervical polyps, can also be responsible for bleeding. These are usually benign. However, they should be examined by a doctor, as in rare cases they are an indication of cervical cancer. This, like the growths, can cause bleeding during pregnancy. Both cervical polyps and cervical cancer can occur outside of pregnancy. It is a concern if the bleeding occurs together with severe lower abdominal pain and cramping. This may indicate a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg does not nest in the placenta, but in the fallopian tubes. Now, when the egg nests in a narrow part of the fallopian tube, this section is initially only stretched. The stretching leads to pain on one side of the lower abdomen. If the egg continues to grow, the fallopian tube ruptures. This leads to severe bleeding and can be life-threatening for the woman. So, if there is pain and cramping in the lower abdomen, a doctor should be consulted to determine causes and possible treatments. Another reason for bleeding during pregnancy may be the phenomenon of vanishing twin. In a multiple pregnancy, one twin may fail to develop for various reasons. The background for this can be a developmental or chromosomal disorder. The fetus is then absorbed by the mother’s body, who often notices spotting. For the other twin, the loss of the other is usually not a problem at an early stage of pregnancy. However, at about the 24th week of pregnancy, the loss is no longer called a “vanishing twin” but a miscarriage. The mother’s body can no longer absorb the fetus. In this case, it is essential to see a doctor. The twin must be surgically removed to protect the other fetus. Bleeding can also be caused by problems with the placenta. There are various possibilities in this case. Ruptures can occur in the smaller blood vessels of the placenta. These are usually painless and stop on their own.Another reason may be placenta praevia. In this case, the placenta lies over the cervix and thus blocks the birth canal. In most cases, the birth canal is unblocked a few weeks before pregnancy. However, in a small proportion of women it remains covered, resulting in heavier bleeding. Premature placental abruption can also be a reason for bleeding. This is accompanied by severe abdominal cramps. In both cases, a doctor should be consulted.
Why bleeding during pregnancy is not uncommon
Bleeding during pregnancy is not uncommon overall. About a quarter of all women experience vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. Nidational bleeding or bleeding due to hormonal changes are particularly common in this regard. Both are harmless and stop after a certain time.
Pregnant despite periods: myth or truth?
So the myth that periods can continue to occur despite pregnancy is not true. It is true that bleeding can occur during pregnancy. However, these can have many different causes, but not periods. Some types of bleeding are harmless to health, but in case of doubt, a doctor should be consulted. This is especially true if the bleeding is associated with lower abdominal pain or occurs after the first trimester of pregnancy.
