Many women believe that the first manifestation of pregnancy is the delay in menstruation. However, in fact, there is another indicator that will allow you to determine the conception that has occurred much earlier - implantation bleeding. This phenomenon is very similar to menstruation. Finding out whether it is implantation bleeding or menstruation is quite simple. You just need to know the main differences between these processes.
Is implantation bleeding normal?
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 he althy body, the process occurs infrequently, some women evennot aware of its existence.
Sometimes this phenomenon can be accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen, cramps and weakness. Women who keep a basal temperature chart observe a characteristic drop in 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 worth carrying out the procedure no earlier than a few days after the proposed implantation. Before this period, the result may be erroneous. To accurately confirm pregnancy, it is better to take a blood test for hCG in a diagnostic laboratory.
Reasons for this phenomenon
The egg is fertilized by the 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 for another 2 days, the process of attaching a blastocyte to the uterine wall can take place. This contact is the first between a mother and her unborn child, so any manifestations of pregnancy up to this point are excluded.
Implantation bleeding during pregnancy occurs while the fetal egg is attached to the uterine epithelium. To do this, it releases special enzymes to penetrate into the wall of the organ. Usually the mucosa is ready for this process, and implantation is asymptomatic, but sometimes microtraumatization occurs.small vessels and capillaries, which leads to the appearance of bleeding.
When does implantation bleeding occur?
Many women are interested in when to expect implantation bleeding, how long this phenomenon normally lasts and how not to confuse it with menstruation. It usually occurs 8-10 days after the ovulatory phase, which ended with 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 discharges, taking them as harbingers of menstruation. Physiologically, after implantation bleeding, menstruation does not begin, since the attachment of the blastocyte has already occurred, and the hormonal background in the body has 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: "And how long should it last?" This is very important, because such knowledge will help to distinguish the norm from the pathology. The bleeding itself during implantation can last from several hours to 1-2 days. This phenomenon cannot be physiologically longer, since very slight damage to the capillary network occurs during implantation. If the bleeding came before the expected menstruation, is abundant and lasts longer than a day, then there is a high probability of an arbitrary miscarriage in the early period,hormonal failure or other pathological phenomena.
What is the likelihood of bleeding during implantation
It is worth noting that implantation bleeding is not a pathology, but it is quite rare. Only 20% of pregnant women noted the presence of such a phenomenon. This is probably due to the fact that it coincided with the beginning of menstruation, was simply not noticed, or was completely asymptomatic.
Bleeding during implantation of the embryo can also occur with an ectopic pregnancy. At the same time, according to statistics, women feel more discomfort than with normal attachment. What this is connected with is unknown, perhaps it is just subjective sensations. There are no reliable methods describing how to distinguish implantation bleeding in a normal or ectopic pregnancy at home or by tests. To do this, in any case, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound.
How to distinguish implantation bleeding from menstruation
So, it is extremely important to distinguish between these 2 phenomena. To distinguish implantation bleeding from menstruation, it is enough to know the main signs of the first - the time of onset, the color, nature and duration of the discharge, as well as general well-being.
- Time to come. Implantation occurs 3-6 days before the onset of menstruation. Therefore, bleeding due to capillary damage may occur shortly before the expected period.
- Color. The most common discharge from implantation bleeding isbrownish or pinkish tint. Rarely scarlet. The color of this discharge is significantly different from the color of the blood characteristic of menstruation.
- Character. Unlike menstruation, implantation bleeding is very scarce. Physiologically, a woman may not even feel this moment. It may be just a couple of drops of blood or a spotting discharge. It is also worth noting that implantation bleeding should not contain any inclusions, lumps, mucus, etc.
- The duration of the discharge distinguishes between 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, unlike menstruation, which normally lasts from 3 days.
- Implantation bleeding may not be accompanied by any other symptoms, but sometimes there may be weakness and nagging pain or spasms. These sensations do not last long, and they do not bring much discomfort.
To determine whether it is implantation bleeding or menstruation, you need to carefully monitor your body and know all its features.
What pathologies can be accompanied by similar secretions?
If spotting does not correspond to the signs of implantation bleeding, then there is a high probability that some pathological process is taking place in the body. It could be:
- Fibroids.
- Endometriosis.
- Cancer of the ovaries, cervix, vagina.
- Problem with blood clotting.
- Disturbances in the thyroid gland.
- Polycystic ovaries
- Pathological conditions in the uterine mucosa.
- Bleeding from an intrauterine device.
- Threatened miscarriage.
Usually, such conditions are accompanied by severe pain, nausea, dizziness, fever and general weakness. Also, bleeding can be caused by taking various drugs that reduce blood clotting, sedative drugs and antidepressants.
When you need medical attention
Sometimes the cause of 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 the signs are more pronounced. That is, bleeding is more abundant, lasts longer, there are mucous or other inclusions, sensations of discomfort, pain and a pulling feeling in the lower abdomen are more pronounced.
If a woman is not sure whether it is implantation bleeding or menstruation, then you should consult a gynecologist for advice. Since timely treatment can save the pregnancy in case of a miscarriage, and in case of any diseases, speed up the process of treatment and recovery.
