What is the difference between pregnancy spotting and a period

Some highly sensitive urine tests can be used earlier, but know that you run the risk of a getting a negative result when you are, in fact, pregnant. Bleeding in the first trimester is common. In fact, research shows that a whopping 25 percent of women will bleed early in pregnancy. Still, any blood occurring during pregnancy is considered abnormal, and you should contact your doctor when it happens. When the bleeding is light, it may be caused by pretty simple things.

For example, your cervix is more sensitive and developing additional blood vessels, so sex or a pelvic exam can cause bleeding. However, bright red or heavy bleeding during pregnancy can signal more serious issues. Here are some possible causes:. Take a look back at your calendar to determine when the first day of your last period was, as well as the potential date of conception. It's not likely, but it's possible to get pregnant after your period finishes.

We'll tell you how. Spotting may change over time, occur intermittently, or follow a predictable pattern. If spotting begins several months after starting contraceptives, with no previous spotting, it may point to an underlying problem and the woman should visit her doctor. Breast-feeding suppresses ovulation, particularly if the baby is exclusively breast-fed. It is important to know that ovulation will occur about 2 weeks before the first period, so it is possible to get pregnant while breast-feeding.

However, many women who are breast-feeding experience spotting. Hormonal shifts related to breast-feeding can cause spotting. Hormonal changes that occur as the body prepares to ovulate for the first time after childbirth may also trigger spotting.

An injury to the vagina, cervix, or uterus may cause abnormal bleeding. Rough sexual intercourse or a PAP test , for example, can irritate the cervix or vaginal tissue and cause bleeding. However, unexplained bleeding that is heavy or accompanied by pain can be a medical emergency. About half of women who experience bleeding during pregnancy will have a miscarriage.

In some cases, bleeding is the first sign that a woman is pregnant. Very early miscarriages may even be mistaken for unusually heavy menstrual periods. Some sexually transmitted infections STIs can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding that looks like spotting.

Gonorrhea is a common culprit, and may also cause unusual discharge or burning during urination. Pelvic inflammatory disease PID is a type of chronic pelvic inflammation caused by an infection. Women with PID can experience infertility if symptoms go untreated. PID often causes spotting, particularly after intercourse.

It can also cause pelvic pain. Although rare, spotting may be a symptom of cancer. Types of cancer that can cause spotting include:. However, there are some key differences. These include the following:. If someone is unsure whether their bleeding is pregnancy-related or a period, they can take a home pregnancy test.

These tests detect the presence of the human chorionic gonadotropin hCG hormone. The body starts to make hCG once the fertilized egg has implanted in the uterus. Therefore, the production of this hormone will begin just after the time when implantation bleeding might occur. While home pregnancy tests have become increasingly sensitive to hCG, waiting until the first day after a missed period is likely to yield a more accurate result.

Learn about how and when to take a pregnancy test here. Implantation bleeding occurs during the first trimester , usually about 1—2 weeks after a sperm fertilizes an egg. The following is a typical fertilization cycle timeline :. There are other potential causes of bleeding in early pregnancy. Learn more about bleeding in the first trimester here. Implantation bleeding is not a cause for concern. The bleeding is usually light and does not last very long.

Q: How much bleeding is normal? Should I be worried? Q: Are there other symptoms associated with implantation bleeding? Q: How do I know the difference between implantation bleeding, my menstrual period, and a miscarriage? Gynecology Women's Health Pregnancy. November 11, November 07, November 05, October 22, October 19, How to Recognize and Treat an Ectopic Pregnancy.