False menstruation or implantation losses: can the period come in pregnancy?
False menstruation, called "implantation losses" according to a more scientific terminology, are blood losses that can occur at the beginning of pregnancy, of which they represent one of the most common symptoms.
These menstrual-like losses usually occur about ten days after conception, but not in every woman. It is in fact an optional phenomenon linked to the implantation of the fertilized egg inside the uterus, the so-called "nesting". The blood losses, compared to those of the menstrual cycle, are darker and last less.
Let's find out everything there is to know about these brown losses without a period (and no, the actual period does not come if you are pregnant!), But first here is a video on the pregnancy test, the safest way to make sure that your losses are not actual menstruation, but a sign of pregnancy ...
Blood loss in pregnancy: am I pregnant with my period?
The answer is no: if you are pregnant you cannot have your period. Your blood loss will rather be false menstruation, which can be easily confused with real ones, but which - as we have said - always have a darker color (close to brown) and are not as abundant. Furthermore, their duration is short and not continuous as happens for the normal flow.
Implantation or implantation losses are a simple spotting (small dark spots) due to the implantation of the ovum inside the uterus and, more precisely, in the endometrium. It is therefore a very normal and physiological process in every woman. at the beginning of her pregnancy, nothing to worry about!
Cycle in pregnancy: what are the causes that cause false menstruation
The implantation of the ovum inside the uterus can cause bleeding due to the rupture of some blood vessels in the endometrium, or in case of slight trauma to the tissues inside the cervix, which is changing for to be able to welcome the future child inside.
The fertilized egg goes to nest in the endometrium about 6-7 days after conception. Not surprisingly, it is from this moment on and not before that it is possible to take the pregnancy test! This invasion of the endometrial cavity can lead to small ruptures of blood vessels that will cause you to lose a few drops of blood, but nothing serious!
False menstruation, therefore, have completely benign causes and should not make you anxious, unless specific symptoms such as profuse and bright red bleeding or severe abdominal pain occur. In these cases, you should immediately contact your gynecologist.
Warning: a phenomenon similar to false menstruation can occur even if you use the morning-after pill or if there are uterine cysts or other internal disorders. It will always be better to check the problem together with your doctor to ascertain the causes.
Symptoms of false menstruation
As we have said, implantation losses have specific characteristics that distinguish them from the normal menstrual cycle. First of all they are minor losses, which compared to the normal monthly flow have a more limited duration (usually do not occur for more than two or three days and always sporadically), are dark in color, tending to brown ( never bright red).
Other symptoms that can be associated with this type of bleeding include mild cramps, usually less painful than those due to menstruation, but more like the small twinges that plague some women during PMS. In some cases, however, they are completely symptom-free.
It should also be considered that, since false menstruation occurs in the first days of pregnancy, it is possible to find other symptoms related to the pregnant state, from fatigue to breast pain, from the frequent urge to urinate to a sense of nausea or swelling, from back pain to mood swings, from headaches to constipation. As always, these are symptoms that differ a lot from woman to woman and there is no need to generalize.
When do false menstruation come and how long do they last?
False menstruation appears approximately four weeks after the last menstrual cycle, and it is for this reason that it is often easy to confuse them with it. Always remember to check the extent and, if in doubt, do not hesitate to proceed with a pregnancy test or contact your gynecologist.
The duration is less than that of the cycle and hardly exceeds three days. Be careful that the blood does not become more abundant or lighter in color, otherwise it could be real menstruation!
