26.10.2023
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4 min. reading Menstruation during pregnancy: is it safe?
Menstruation during pregnancy is a fairly common phenomenon. Why does this happen and when a doctor's help is needed, we will figure it out step by step.
Source: Instagram@klinikamama
Contents:
- Why is menstruation necessary?
- "Colorful" pregnancy
- Why is menstruation preserved?
- Pregnancy test
- Signs of "colorful" pregnancy
- Other causes of bleeding during pregnancy
- Quickly to the doctor!
Delayed menstruation is one of the first and most striking symptoms of pregnancy. However, it also happens that during the first months of pregnancy or even the entire period of carrying a child, a woman's menstruation is preserved in full. And this is considered a variant of the norm.
Why is menstruation necessary?
The menstrual cycle was created by nature to facilitate conception. The cycle begins on the first day of menstruation, and ends on the first day of the next menstruation.
Ovulation, when the egg is released from the ovary, occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. If within 12-24 hours after ovulation, the sperm fertilizes the egg, it is implanted in the uterus - pregnancy occurs.
If fertilization does not take place within the specified time, the egg cell dies, and menstruation begins. During it, the female body rejects the mucous membrane of the uterus, and by the next cycle, it grows a new one.
"Colorful" pregnancy
Menstruation during pregnancy leads to the fact that a woman may not even guess that she will soon become a mother. After all, in the first months, the changes in a woman's body are insignificant, and you can always write them off as a hormonal failure or explain them to the usual: "I've gotten better, I should go on a diet."
A pregnancy in which a woman's menstruation persists is called "colorful". It has another name - "washing the fetus". Most often, such a situation does not threaten the condition of the baby and mother.
The only danger: a woman learns late that she is pregnant, and there is a risk of missing such serious pathologies as ectopic pregnancy, uterine bleeding, placental abruption, miscarriage - their symptoms are very similar.
Source: Fotolia
Why is menstruation preserved?
Specialists name several reasons why menstruation during pregnancy is preserved in full:
- late ovulation - the egg was formed at the beginning or at the end of the cycle and after fertilization did not have time to reach the uterus, and menstruation has already begun;
- infections of the pelvic organs — a course of appropriate therapy is required here;
- implantation of the fetal egg into the uterine wall - in this case, menstrual discharge occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, and then stops;
- hormonal imbalance — the minimum content of the progesterone hormone in the body of a pregnant woman.
IMPORTANT! Discharges similar to menstrual ones may indicate trauma to the internal genital organs during sexual intercourse. Such discharge is usually short-lived, but this should alert you and prompt you to consult a gynecologist.
Pregnancy test
Will a pharmacy test show a positive result in a colored pregnancy? Maybe yes, maybe not. Express tests have a certain degree of error, therefore, in any pregnancy, the test may turn out to be negative.
Only a more thorough medical examination will give 100% certainty that there is a pregnancy.
Pregnancy - we determine the position of the baby in the abdomen without ultrasound
Read article
Signs of "colorful" pregnancy
- Since the main sign that a woman is in an interesting position, the absence of menstruation, is not an indicator in this case, you should pay attention to other symptoms.
- Failure of the menstrual cycle - small discharges than before, unusually strong pain syndrome or vice versa - a decrease in pain during menstruation.
- The change in food habits is a radical one: what seemed disgusting yesterday is now completely normal.
- The rapid increase in everything is against the background of the usual diet: the woman eats no more than before, but at the same time she improves rapidly.
- Rapid fatigue, decreased performance, sleepiness, irritability can also be a symptom of a "colorful" pregnancy (however, just like a normal one).
Source: Instagram @pelogeya91
If you notice the above-mentioned symptoms, go to the gynecologist. He will perform an initial examination, if necessary, send for an ultrasound and prescribe the necessary tests.
After all the studies, if the pregnancy is confirmed, he will recommend what to do next.
Most often, despite menstruation, there is no threat to the child - the pregnancy will proceed as usual.
If any pathology is detected, its earlier detection will make it possible to treat it quickly and effectively.
IMPORTANT! Symptoms of a "colored" pregnancy, as well as a traditional one, are individual for each woman. Be attentive to yourself, note any unusual changes in your body and visit a doctor if you have the slightest doubt.
Other causes of bleeding during pregnancy
Up to 20 weeks of pregnancy
- The most dangerous condition is ectopic pregnancy, which requires immediate medical attention;
- infections of the internal genital organs;
- miscarriage or loss of pregnancy;
- subchorionic hemorrhage (subchorionic hematoma) — bleeding occurs between the uterine wall and the placenta;
- gestational trophoblastic disease (GTZ) is a condition when the body simulates pregnancy by forming a tumor (it may even contain abnormal fetal tissue); it is diagnosed extremely rarely.
IMPORTANT! Small bleeding may occur as a result of implantation of the placenta in the uterus - this condition is generally harmless, but requires consultation with a gynecologist.
Source: Instagram @hello.myhoney
After 20 weeks of pregnancy
Among the main causes of bleeding in the late stages of pregnancy: mechanical — after a doctor's examination of the cervix, slight bleeding may occur;
- placenta previa — when the placenta blocks the exit from the uterus;
- premature labor or childbirth - the cervix opens, the uterus itself is compressed to help the baby move down the birth canal, this can lead to bleeding;
- sexual contact - due to increased sensitivity of the cervix during or after sexual intercourse, a pregnant woman may experience bleeding;
- rupture of the uterus is a rather rare condition, occurs most often if a woman has a history of cesarean section or surgery on the uterus; requires immediate medical assistance;
- detachment of the placenta - the placenta begins to separate from the uterus even before the birth of the child, in this case, immediate medical help is also necessary.
Quickly to the doctor!
We remind you once again: when bleeding occurs during pregnancy - even short, scant, painless - you need to note the color, amount and intensity of the bleeding and be sure to consult a gynecologist!
In no case do not postpone a visit to the doctor if the bleeding is accompanied by:
- pain and spasms;
- dizziness, fainting, fainting;
- severe pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, stomach and pelvis;
- if the bleeding is strong, with clots.
Source: Shutterstock/Fotodom Ukraine
The opinion of the editors may not coincide with the opinion of the author of the article.
Use of photo: P.4, Article 21 of the ZU "On copyright and related rights - "Reproduction for the purpose of covering current events by means of photography or cinematography, public communication or communication of works seen or heard during such events, to the extent justified by the informational purpose."
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