Many women believe that the first manifestation of pregnancy is delayed menstruation. However, in fact, there is another indicator that will allow us to determine the conception that occurred much earlier - implantation bleeding. This phenomenon is very similar to menstruation. To find out that this is implantation bleeding or menstruation is quite simple. You just need to know the main differences between these processes.
Is implantation bleeding the norm?
Implantation bleeding is a discharge that occurs due to the introduction of a fertilized egg into the uterine wall. This first manifestation of pregnancy often goes unnoticed due to its insignificance and similarity to menstruation. Usually it is pinkish, brown or scarlet discharge, which can be smeared or come out in the form of a few drops without any external inclusions. It is not difficult to understand that this is implantation bleeding or menstruation, but since this process is very rare, but completely normal for a healthy body, it does not happen often, some women do not even know about its existence.
Sometimes this phenomenon can be accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen, cramping and weakness. Women who have a basal temperature graph observe a characteristic lowering of the temperature curve on the day of implantation bleeding 6-10 days after the ovulatory phase. To confirm the onset of pregnancy on a home test, which determines the presence of conception by the level of the hCG hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin ), it is worthwhile to carry out the procedure no earlier than a few days after the implantation. Before this deadline, the result may be erroneous. For accurate confirmation of pregnancy, it is better to take a blood test for hCG in a diagnostic laboratory.
Reasons for this phenomenon
The egg is fertilized by a sperm in the fallopian tube, after which the embryo is sent to the uterine cavity, where it must attach. This path takes up to 5 days and another 2 days may occur the process of joining the blastocyte to the uterine wall. This contact is the first between the mother and her unborn child, therefore any manifestations of pregnancy are excluded up to this point.
Implantation bleeding during pregnancy occurs while the fetal egg attaches to the uterine epithelium. To do this, it secretes special enzymes to invade the organ wall. Usually, the mucous membrane is ready for this process, and implantation is asymptomatic, but sometimes microtraumatization of small vessels and capillaries occurs, which leads to the appearance of bloody secretions.
When does implantation bleeding occur?
Many women are interested in when to expect implantation bleeding, how long this phenomenon lasts and how not to confuse it with menstruation. Usually it occurs 8-10 days after the ovulatory phase, which ended in conception. Sometimes this period coincides with the days when menstruation comes.
But more often, implantation bleeding occurs on the 22-26th day of the cycle. Therefore, many do not pay any attention to such discharge, taking them for the harbingers of menstruation. Physiologically, after implantation bleeding, menstruation does not begin, since blastocyte attachment has already occurred, and the hormonal background in the body is already noticeably changed.
How long can implantation bleeding last?
So, we figured out what implantation bleeding is, what day it occurs and why. The question arises: "How long should it last?" This is very important, since such knowledge will help distinguish the norm from pathology. The bleeding itself during implantation can last from several hours to 1-2 days. This phenomenon cannot last longer physiologically, since very insignificant damage to the capillary network occurs during implantation. If bleeding occurred earlier than the expected menstruation, is profuse and lasts longer than a day, then there is a high probability of arbitrary miscarriage at an early stage, hormonal failure or other pathological phenomena.
What is the chance of bleeding during implantation?
It is worth noting that implantation bleeding is not a pathology, but it is also quite rare. Only 20% of pregnant women reported this phenomenon. This is probably due to the fact that it coincided with the beginning of the monthly, was simply not noticed, or was completely asymptomatic.
Bleeding during implantation of the embryo may occur during ectopic pregnancy. Moreover, according to statistics, women feel more discomfort than with normal attachment. With what it is connected - it is not known, perhaps these are just subjective sensations. Reliable methods that describe how to distinguish between implantation bleeding during normal or ectopic pregnancy at home or by tests do not exist. To do this, in any case, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound.
How to distinguish implantation bleeding from menstruation
So, to distinguish between these 2 phenomena is extremely important. To distinguish implantation bleeding from menstruation, it is enough to know the main signs of the first - the onset time, color, nature and duration of discharge, as well as general well-being.
- Offensive time. Implantation occurs 3-6 days before the onset of menstruation. Therefore, bleeding due to damage to the capillaries may occur shortly before the start of the alleged menstruation.
- Color. Most often, discharge during implantation bleeding has a brownish or pinkish tint. Less often scarlet. The color of these secretions differs significantly from the shade of blood characteristic of menstruation.
- Character. Unlike menstruation, implantation bleeding is very scarce. Physiologically, a woman may not even feel this moment. It can be just a couple of drops of blood or spotting. It is also worth noting that implantation bleeding should not contain any inclusions, lumps, mucus, etc.
- The duration of the discharge distinguishes menstruation and implantation bleeding. How long this phenomenon lasts depends on the degree of damage to the capillary wall, but usually it does not exceed 1-2 days or even several hours, in contrast to menstruation, which lasts normally from 3 days.
- Implantation bleeding may not be accompanied by any other symptoms, but sometimes manifestations of weakness and pulling pain or cramping are possible. These sensations do not last long, and they do not bring much discomfort.
To determine that this is implantation bleeding or menstruation, you need to carefully monitor your body and know all its features.
What pathologies can be accompanied by similar discharge?
If spotting does not correspond to the signs of implantation bleeding, then there is a high probability that any pathological process occurs in the body. It could be:
- Myoma.
- Endometriosis
- Cancer of the ovaries, cervix, vagina.
- The problem with the blood coagulation system.
- Violations of the thyroid gland.
- Polycystic ovary.
- Pathological conditions in the uterine mucosa.
- Bleeding from an intrauterine device.
- The threat of abortion.
Typically, such conditions are accompanied by severe pain, nausea, dizziness, fever, and general weakness. Also, bleeding can be caused by taking various medications that reduce blood coagulation, sedatives, and antidepressants.
When will a doctor need help
Sometimes the cause of the discharge may not be implantation bleeding, but a pathological condition associated with pregnancy, hormonal failure, inflammatory or other processes in the female body that lead to similar symptoms. Usually, all signs are more pronounced. That is, the bleeding is more profuse, lasts longer, there are mucous membranes or other inclusions, discomfort, pain and a pulling feeling in the lower abdomen are more pronounced.
If a woman is not sure that this is implantation bleeding or menstruation, then you should consult a gynecologist. Since timely treatment can preserve pregnancy with the threat of miscarriage, and in the case of any disease, speed up the process of treatment and recovery.