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Can You Get Pregnant and Still Have a Period?

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Most of us are aware of the fact that you don’t get your period while you’re pregnant. However, there are theories floating around that some women do get their period while being pregnant. How far true is it? Let’s find out in this article.

- [Can you get your periods when pregnant?](#can-you-get-your-periods-when-pregnant)
- [Why you don’t have periods while pregnant?](#why-you-don’t-have-periods-while-pregnant)
- [Reasons for bleeding during pregnancy](#reasons-for-bleeding-during-pregnancy)
- [What to do when you bleed?](#what-to-do-when-you-bleed)
- [When to contact your doctor?](#when-to-contact-your-doctor)


Can you get your periods when pregnant Card 

<em>The simple answer is no, it is not possible for you to have a period when you’re pregnant. That is because during pregnancy your body produces a pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which makes your periods stop.</em>

Generally, if you bleed enough to soak a pad or tampon then you are likely not pregnant. However, if you are bleeding enough to soak through a [pad](/sanitary-pads) or [tampon](/tampons) and have tested positive for pregnancy, you must seek immediate medical help.

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<h2>Can you get your periods when pregnant?</h2>


Why you don’t have periods while pregnant Card

A proper period is when you lose blood at the end of your menstrual cycle after your egg remains unfertilised by sperm. When an egg is not fertilised, your hormone levels drop at the end of the month. This triggers the lining of your womb to disintegrate and shed. This shedding of uterus lining accompanied by blood is what we typically refer to as a period. 
If you've tested positive for pregnancy, it means an egg has already been fertilised and is growing within your uterus. The fertilised egg means the hormone levels don’t drop and doesn’t trigger the shedding of uterus lining. And since your womb lining is not shedding, you no longer have a period during the course of your pregnancy. This is also why a missed period is one of the early signs of pregnancy.

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<h2>Why you don’t have periods while pregnant?</h2>


Why you don’t have periods while pregnant

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If you do notice some blood, however, that could be a case of [spotting during pregnancy](/tips-and-advice-for-women/pregnancy/spotting-during-pregnancy). Which is why many women go in panic mode and scout the Internet with questions like, ‘can you have a period while pregnant’ or ‘can you be pregnant and still have a period’. Remember that bleeding is surely something you must be alert about but it isn’t necessarily always a bad sign. Many women have healthy pregnancies and babies after experiencing spotting during their first trimester. 

So, if you notice bleeding or spotting of any kind, it’s most likely related to something other than normal menstruation. It’s advisable to check with your doctor to determine the cause.


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Let’s look at some common causes for bleeding during pregnancy:<br>

<h3 class="charpcos">1. Implantation bleeding</h3>  
<br>Some women experience '<a href="/en-za/tips-and-advice-for-women/pregnancy/implantation-bleeding-should-you-worry-about-it">implantation bleeding</a>', which occurs at the time when the fertilised egg reaches the uterus and nestles or implants itself into its lining. When you have implantation bleeding, the spotting will be light pinkish or brownish and it will feel like bleeding at the start of your period. It typically happens around 10 to 14 days after conception.

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<h3 class="charpcos">2. Sexual intercourse</h3>
<br>Some women tend to have a more sensitive cervix when they’re pregnant. This causes a little bleeding after having an intercourse. You may need to get some pelvic exams done to confirm and manage the symptoms.

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<h3 class="charpcos">3. Ectopic pregnancy</h3>
<br>An ectopic pregnancy is when the foetus starts to grow outside of your womb, like in a fallopian tube. It usually occurs in the first trimester and the bleeding with an ectopic pregnancy may vary. You may also experience pain, dizziness or lightheadedness. You must contact your doctor and get treatment immediately as it can be life-threatening if left untreated.

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<h3 class="charpcos">4. Miscarriage</h3> 
<br>The first trimester is the most sensitive period and typically miscarriages occur during this phase. Having a miscarriage or pregnancy loss will lead to bleeding accompanied by uterine cramping. The bleeding would be heavy and soak through a pad and you may also notice large clots pass from the vagina. If you notice these symptoms, you must contact your doctor right away.

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<h3 class="charpcos">5. Certain pregnancy complications</h3>
<br>Other pregnancy complications such as subchorionic hemorrhage (a blood clot that forms behind the developing placenta), a cervical infection, placenta previa (when the placenta implants and grows over the cervix), or benign cervical polyps may also result in spotting or bleeding while you’re pregnant. 

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<h3 class="charpcos">6. Placenta previa</h3> 
<br>This condition is when the placenta (a temporary organ that develops during pregnancy) gets implanted lower in the uterus, so low that it covers the cervix. This condition presents no other symptoms, although it may hinder labour and delivery.

<br>

<h3 class="charpcos">7. Placental abruption</h3> 
<br>A condition most likely to occur during the last few months of pregnancy, it is when the placenta detaches from the uterus. This causes heavy bleeding and may also cause severe stomach pain and cramping. 

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<h3 class="charpcos">8. Uterine rupture</h3>
<br>This occurs when the uterine muscles tear or separate before or during labour. It’s considered a medical emergency, as it may result in uncontrolled vaginal bleeding. Though rare, the condition most often occurs in people who have a history of uterine surgery or cesarean delivery.


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<h2>Reasons for bleeding during pregnancy</h2>

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We understand noticing any kind of spotting or bleeding is going to be alarming but try to stay calm. Even when you’re pregnant you must always have some sort of back up with you at all times. Having a [panty liner](/panty-liners) that has good absorption capacity will help manage any sudden spotting that you experience. Try the [ALWAYS Extra Protect Panty Liners](/panty-liners/always-extra-protect) which are formulated with an absorbing zone and odour neutralising technology. These panty liners offer extra coverage. These are perfect for protection from [vaginal discharge](/tips-and-advice-for-women/vaginal-discharge/what-is-vaginal-discharge) as well as sudden spotting.

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<h2>What to do when you bleed?</h2>


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It’s essential that you contact your doctor if your bleeding is bright red in color and is heavy enough to soak through a pad. Besides this, if you experience bleeding as well as symptoms like cramping, pain, fainting or dizziness, passing clots or heavy bleeding, contact your family/friends to have you taken to the nearest medical centre.
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Spotting during pregnancy is common however you must inform your doctor about it, whether it is accompanied by pain or not.
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Now keep a track of your ovulation period with Always [Fertile Days Calculator](/period-calculator).


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<h2>When to contact your doctor?</h2>


FAQ 1

Technically, it’s not possible to get a period while pregnant. What you could be experiencing though is irregular bleeding during pregnancy, which is common in women. You may want to take a pregnancy test to know whether it’s the pregnancy that’s causing the irregular bleeding.

__FAQs__<br><br>

<h2>1. Can I still be pregnant if I had my period twice?</h2>

FAQ 2

This will depend on the timing of your conception. Once you have conceived and your body starts producing the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), your periods will stop. Thus, you won’t have a period while you’re pregnant.

<h2>2. How soon does your period stop if pregnant?</h2>

FAQ 3

Some women experience something called implantation bleeding, which happens when a fertilised egg implants itself on your uterus lining. The bleeding is pinkish, light, much like spotting or similar to the kind of bleeding at the end of your period, and shorter than a regular period. It typically happens 10 to 14 days after conception, and you may mistake it for a period during pregnancy.

<h2>3. Can you have a short period and be pregnant?</h2>

Disclaimer

Please note the date of the last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Always is committed to ensuring that all of our products meet rigorous safety standards; [Always pads prioritize safety](/about-us/inside-always-pads-safe), protection and comfort of its consumers.

<h2>Disclaimer:</h2>

Period while pregnant? Noticed some spotting or bleeding and wondering, ‘can you get your period while pregnant?’ Read this article to know whether it’s possible.