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Can we get pregnant even if we have our period? (thats IF we think its our period)
Just want to know the difference or how would i know if its spotting not a period?? does it always come in the same time as the expected date of period? what would spotting look like?
Because i know women mistakenly think that once they bleed, its menstrual period already. thank you!
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I am trying to get pregnant. My home test was on Oct 13. No heavy bleeding at all. I am on my period now and it is still lite and not heavy. Both blood test and home test are now false. I am thankful that you can help ease the pain of trying to guess.
October 19, 2009 - 1:14amThis Comment
My periods always start heavy and then lite but I started on the Oct 16 as a brown to red to pink and now red but all is lite. I had two positive home test. Then the rest of them all false
October 18, 2009 - 3:07pmThis Comment
Your period started on October 16th, and sounds like a normal period (every woman's period changes color from day-to-day, or cycle-to-cycle, and this is normal).
When did you take your home pregnancy tests (if you remember, by date)?
Home pregnancy tests that show up positive, especially two of them, usually are accurate at detecting "pregnancy hormones" in your body. Then the "rest of them" were false...do you think you may have had a miscarriage? Did you experience any heavy bleeding after the positive tests?
Are you trying to become pregnant, or trying to prevent a pregnancy?
October 18, 2009 - 6:28pmThis Comment
My periods always start heavy and then lite but I started on the Oct 16 as a brown to red to pink and now red but all is lite
October 18, 2009 - 2:17pmThis Comment
Hi,
I read all of the post and they are extremely helpful. I just started back on my birth control and im on the begining of my 3rd week, and im having cramps and light bleeding... im also seeing that brownish discharge. Now i know i was just on my period about 2 weeks ago...is that normal?? COuld i be pregnant or what? im somewhat confused...
October 13, 2009 - 10:04amThis Comment
Bleeding is usually not a sign of a pregnancy, but rather the absence of monthly bleeding (period) is the sign of pregnancy.
From your description, it sounds like you are experiencing "breakthrough bleeding", which is very common when starting a new hormonal contraceptive (whether it be the pill, patch, ring, depo shot, etc). Your patient information brochure in your prescription should talk about breakthrough bleeding, so you feel more comfortable about it.
Did your doctor tell you what to expect with starting birth control? You can experience a change in your "period" for a few months, have breakthrough bleeding (which is a fancy term for bleeding that is in-between your "periods", or the inactive pills). It is a nuisance, but nothing to worry about. If breakthrough bleeding is painful, lasts for more than a week, you may want to talk with your doctor.
October 13, 2009 - 12:18pmThis Comment
I just had to share this. ignorance is not an excuse!
type up "how pregnancy happens -the fun way" in youtube.click in the cartoon one! you'll learn a lot:)
September 29, 2009 - 4:19pmThis Comment
thank you so much for the info:) i learned this back when i was gradeschool and first year high and quickly brushed through the reproductive system...teachers didnt really go deep into it considering its very very awkward! lol thanks again!:) now i know:)
September 29, 2009 - 4:06pmThis Comment
Great question, as many women have asked this.
If a woman is pregnant, she is not able to have a menstrual period. A menstrual period is the shedding of the lining of the uterus...where the fertilized egg implants itself for a viable pregnancy.
If a woman is pregnant, she MAY experience some bleeding or spotting...but neither of these would be a menstrual period. If there is uterine bleeding, this could indicate a problem. In fact, "up to a quarter of pregnant women have some spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy, and about half of these women miscarry". And, please know, this type of bleeding is not menstrual bleeding (shedding of the uterine lining), but originates from elsewhere (such as bleeding from the cervix, vaginal walls, etc).
What else would cause spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy, if not from a period?
- Sex, Pap smear, inserting a tampon or any vaginal medication into the vagina may cause some spotting. The blood supply to the cervix has increased, and "bumping" it may cause some light bleeding or spotting.
(What type of vaginal medication could I be referring to? It is common for women to experience a yeast infection early in pregnancy, due to hormonal fluctuations, and a doctor may recommend using an OTC product---such as monistat--for treatment).
- Infection (including yeast infection), sexually transmitted infection or disease, could all cause some spotting
- Implantation bleeding (should be called implantation spotting!), which can occur about the time of your expected menstrual period. Women, on average, ovulate in mid-cycle, or about 2 weeks before their period begins. Coincidentally, it takes about 2 weeks from the time of an egg to be released (ovulation) to implantation. Most women do not experience, or rather do not notice, implantation spotting, but it can occur around the time of an expected period (assuming you have a regular cycle).
As Rosa said, spotting could be pink, brown or red, and it is literally a "spot" or extremely light bleeding...much like you would experience at the very end or very beginning of your menstrual period. When you have a menstrual period, it is unmistakable--it is heavy, red and lasts for several days. Spotting can be defined by any type of light bleeding that occurs when you are not having a period. Breakthrough bleeding, however, is another type of bleeding that is not during your period, and occurs between your normal period. Breakthrough bleeding is heavier, more like a period, and would not be considered "spotting".
For all of these factors, it is important for women to know their cycle, and have a basic idea when their menstrual periods occur. Only when you know what's normal for you, will you then know if the bleeding you are experiencing is a menstrual period, spotting, breakthrough bleeding...or bleeding that may be caused by an infection or trauma.
I hope this helps to clear up any confusion!
September 29, 2009 - 1:14pmThis Comment
Thank you so much for the information. its hard in my case coz i really cant talk to my conservative parents about it, nor doctor nor friends..so i just consult here. i do know my cycle...or when i have my period. heres mine so far:
JAN 13
feb 16
march 19
april 17
may 18
june 15
july 17
august 17
and the recent one sept 16. last up to 5 days but the last 1 or 2 days are light. the first day, no doubt hurts(cramping)
but then im confused, rosa said that women still get their period a couple of months even though they are pregnant. and you said in the beginning, if a woman is pregnant, she is not able to have a menstrual period.
i now know what spotting is....i could differenciate that. however, what i dont get is we could still be pregnant even if we have our menstrual period? hope you guys could reply asap! tnx!
September 29, 2009 - 3:02pmThis Comment