Implant bleeding
Content:
- What does implantation bleeding look like?
- How many days does implantation bleeding last?
- Causes of implantation bleeding
- How to distinguish implantation bleeding from menstruation?
- When to test after implantation bleeding?
Implantation bleeding is a mild clotted discharge that usually occurs in women a few days after ovulation, or a week before the expected date of the onset of menstruation. In medical practice, such bleeding is usually classified as a harbinger of a possible conception in the first case, and as evidence of the opposite - in the second.
What does implantation bleeding look like?
Such bleeding is characterized by the appearance of minor mucous blood clots or clear drops of blood, and is noted at the time when the fertilized egg is implanted into the uterine wall. The clarity of such a process is noted not in all women; in most cases, such discharge is left without proper attention.
The color of the discharge can vary from pale pink to brown, this factor depends on the general health of the body of each particular woman. The duration of implantation bleeding is from one hour to several days, but the second option is quite rare and can be regarded as a manifestation of pathology. Often, implantation bleeding is confused with the first day of menstruation, so it goes unnoticed.
In any case, such discharge requires immediate contact with a specialized specialist, since it can be provoked by other reasons, for example, diseases or anomalies in the structure of the genitourinary system. Among the especially unpleasant reasons can be noted the rejection of the embryo in the early stages or dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
How many days does implantation bleeding last?
The duration of implantation bleeding is purely individual. In cases where its duration exceeds several days, the woman needs urgent hospitalization. All other manifestations of the process are considered the norm. It is impossible to regard such discharge as a categorical sign of the onset of pregnancy. In gynecology, such bleeding is considered one of the earliest news of fertilization, but it is not always so. With the onset of conception, implantation bleeding will manifest itself even before the woman is able to notice a significant delay or conduct a pregnancy test.
This bleeding does not have any effect on the usefulness of pregnancy. Almost 10% of the total number of pregnant women faced this phenomenon and observed it in themselves from one hour to two days, and only after a few weeks they realized that they were expecting a baby.
It should be noted that only a fully matured egg can be fertilized, that is, conception occurs either during the ovulation period itself, or immediately after it. The average healthy woman ovulates in the middle of her menstrual cycle. For example, if your cycle is 30 days, then ovulation will be observed from 13 to 16 days. But to this period you need to add another 7-10 days, during which the mature egg migrates to the place of attachment through the fallopian tubes. The introduction of the egg into the uterine wall occurs on the 25-28th day of the menstrual cycle.
Causes of implantation bleeding
Based on the above facts, it can be argued that the moment of implantation bleeding occurs just a week before the expected date of menstruation. In the event that regular bleeding occurs at the indicated time, pregnancy has not occurred, and if a woman has a delay, they talk about a possible conception.
Such discharge by itself is not negative if the woman has no history of gynecological diseases. This is a completely normal and natural phenomenon for an adequately working organism, since immediately after the introduction of the egg into the uterine wall, a massive hormonal storm begins. The main thing that needs to be done for a woman who has noted such discharge is to consult a specialist and exclude the possibility of other vaginal bleeding.
It is imperative to pay attention to the characteristics of the secreted mucus. The causes of implantation bleeding are not at all pathological, which means that the discharge should be rare, and the color of the blood clot cannot be darker than the blood during menstruation. Lighter - yes, darker, up to crimson and dark brown - no. The release of blood is caused by the objective process of partial destruction of the vascular network in the walls of the uterus during implantation of a fertilized egg.
The sensations that a woman experiences during implantation bleeding are also extremely important. Especially pulling and cutting attempts in the pubic region. The pain must be mild. The reason for this is the spasm of the uterine muscles, immediately after the introduction of the egg.
When keeping a diary of daily basal temperature readings, the curve of marks can change significantly at the time of implantation bleeding. When fixed, the temperature rises up to 37.5C. But at the same time, already a week after successful ovulation, the temperature significantly decreases, and this is a direct sign of the onset of fertilization.
It is important to mark the date of the last natural bleeding on the menstrual calendar. In a normal cycle, which is 28 to 30 days, ovulation occurs on average by 16 days. Successful fertilization of the egg will lead to its implantation into the wall of the uterus in a week and a half. Based on this, a woman can easily calculate the exact date of implementation.
For conception, it is better to choose a few days before and a few days after ovulation. But it is best to consult with a fertility specialist in advance, who will help you establish the exact time most suitable for fertilization.
How to distinguish implantation bleeding from menstruation?
There are several ways to identify implantation bleeding. All of them have a sufficient level of persuasion and are often used by women in home practice.
Standard menstrual bleeding usually begins with a modest discharge that gets heavier every day, and then its frequency and intensity again declines. In some cases, implantation bleeding manifests itself only a few days before the onset of menstruation, or even during it. It is necessary to pay attention not only to the amount of blood secreted, but also to its color, and even smell.
In addition to all of the above, bloody clotted vaginal discharge, which are noted in the middle of the cycle, can signal the presence of such diseases and pathological conditions:
- Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and other infections transmitted through unprotected sex;
- Candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, endometriosis. Among the symptoms of these diseases, moderate bleeding is often noted;
- Ectopic pregnancy, which, in addition to the release of blood-containing clots, is also characterized by severe pain in the lower abdomen, urge to vomit, headaches;
- Miscarriage in the early stages and in the first trimester;
- Damage to the lining epithelium during intercourse;
- Discharge can be a symptom of hormonal imbalance, or uterine-accessory inflammation.
If you suspect any of the above cases, you must urgently seek advice from a gynecologist.
On the subject: How to distinguish menstruation from bleeding?
When to do a pregnancy test after implantation bleeding?
Once the implantation bleeding has ended, a pregnancy follow-up test should be done. The best time for this procedure is 10 days after the end of ovulation. There is a good chance that the test will come back positive.
Symptoms to help identify implantation bleeding and set a timing for a pregnancy test:
- Nausea. Nausea in the first hours after waking up is very typical for the first months of pregnancy. Possibly aversion to odors that previously did not cause much discomfort;
- Painful swelling of the breast. With the onset of pregnancy, the sensitivity of the mammary glands to external stimuli increases significantly. But this fact can indicate both conception and anticipate the onset of regular bleeding;
- Constant tiredness. In the first trimester, women are often depressed and tired much faster due to severe hormonal changes in the body. If there is no physical activity exceeding the norm, and there is enough time for rest, and at the same time spotting is noted, a test must be done;
- Frequent urination is also a sign of pregnancy. Or sudden constipation that was previously not typical of a particular woman. If there are no other objective reasons for such conditions, a test is performed;
- Mood swings, drowsiness, tearfulness. Implantation bleeding is often accompanied by abrupt changes in a woman's own mood. But this sign can indicate both pregnancy and the imminent onset of menstruation;
- Regular dizziness. During hormonal surges, such consequences are very common. Therefore, if a woman experiences similar sensations during climbing stairs, sudden movements, or simply for no reason, there is a high probability of pregnancy.
The main thing to remember is that implantation bleeding, or similar manifestations, is not yet a 100% guarantee of conception. An examination by a specialist and a high-quality pregnancy test will help clarify this issue.
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
