Do Pregnant Women Get Their Period? 

Introduction

Women typically begin their period after puberty, between the ages of 11 and 16. This is when most women's menstrual cycles begin. Menstruation continues until menopause, only pausing if the woman gets pregnant. Once a woman becomes pregnant, she does not get her period—however, this does not mean she cannot bleed. During pregnancy, women can have different forms of bleeding that may appear to be period-related blood at first.

Some women undergo a little bit of bleeding during the time of egg implantation in the uterus. This is also known as implantation bleeding. Light bleeding during pregnancy can also occur for other reasons, commonly known as spotting. However, women cannot get their period while pregnant—if a woman is bleeding enough to fill even a single pad or a tampon, it is highly likely that she is not pregnant. Many women may even undergo uterine bleeding. However, this is also not linked to the period cycle.

Let's take a look at the biggest concerns around menstruation and pregnancy.

How rare is it to be pregnant and have your period?

During a woman's menstrual cycle or period, the blood that comes from the body is the shedding of the uterus lining. During pregnancy, no ovulation takes place; therefore, it is impossible for the woman to have her period. While some bleeding may occur, as stated above, it will not be because of the menstrual cycle.

It is not just rare but highly unlikely for a woman to have her period while pregnant.

Symptoms of Pregnancy During Period

As a woman, you may have noticed that many symptoms during pregnancy also occur during menstruation, often making a woman wonder whether she may be pregnant. Symptoms of pregnancy during the period include breast tenderness or swollenness, fatigue, missed menstruation, nausea, and increased or frequent urination.

While there may be difficulty in identifying whether one is pregnant, as the symptoms of pregnancy often mimic the symptoms of a period, once the bleeding starts, there is a clear differentiation between menstrual bleeding and pregnancy.

Period During Early Pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is not possible for a woman to get her period. A woman cannot get her period and still be considered pregnant. Pregnant women, however, may have other types of bleeding, which may seem to be period blood, but is because of other causes. Bleeding typically occurs during fertilisation but should not be confused with period bleeding.

FAQs

I had a full period, but I am pregnant. How?

This claim cannot be true due to medical and scientific reasons. A woman cannot have a full period and still be pregnant—unless fertilisation occurs after the period. It is impossible to have a period while pregnant because the uterus does not shed its lining during pregnancy. If this happens, there is a chance of a miscarriage. Regardless, some women experience spotting during pregnancy, which may be spots of blood of a dark brown or light pink colour.

I didn't know I was pregnant because I had my period every month. Is this normal?

If a woman is pregnant, the bleeding cannot be due to menstruation. The bleeding is probably because of other reasons like implantation, uterine bleeding, or spotting. If this happens every month, it is not normal, and one should see a doctor. However, it should be noted that the bleeding does not happen because of a period.

In which month does menstruation stop during pregnancy?

Menstruation stops as soon as a woman's body begins to produce the pregnancy hormone—hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin). However, even after pregnancy has occurred, a light bit of bleeding in the form of spotting may occur, especially around the time that the woman is due to have her period. To answer the question, menstruation stops as soon as fertilization takes place.

References

1. Pascual ZN, Langaker MD. Physiology, Pregnancy. (2023). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. NCBI

2. DeVilbiss EA, Naimi AI, Mumford SL, Perkins NJ, Sjaarda LA, Zolton JR, Silver RM, Schisterman EF. (2020). Vaginal bleeding and nausea in early pregnancy as predictors of clinical pregnancy loss. Am J Obstet Gynecol.