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Is it possible to be pregnant and still have your period?

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Someone asked us:

Is it possible to be pregnant and still have your period?

Hundreds of people ask us this question every day on our chat and text lines. Maybe your aunt said she had her period the whole time she was pregnant with your cousin, or maybe you’ve had unprotected sex and even though you got your period you want to be really sure — and there’s nothing wrong with that!

So here’s what you need to know: Women who are pregnant don’t get a period (meaning a monthly shedding of the uterine lining) during the time that they’re pregnant. But sometimes bleeding happens for other reasons. Some women experience light spotting in the beginning of their pregnancy, called implantation bleeding, but for most women this bleeding is much lighter and does not last as long as a normal period. 

It’s definitely possible for women who normally have very light periods to mistake that for their period, just as it’s possible for women who have irregular cycles to not notice if they miss a period, and not find out that they’re pregnant until several months down the line. But if you get your period at the time you expect it, and it’s not unlike the bleeding you usually have, then it’s super unlikely that you’re pregnant. If your bleeding is much lighter and/or shorter than usual, there’s no harm in taking a pregnancy test to be certain. 

Other than implantation bleeding, there are a few other reasons why pregnant women have vaginal bleeding. The causes vary and depend on how long a woman has been pregnant.  A pregnant woman who discovers that she has vaginal bleeding should contact her health care provider immediately to make sure everything is okay. Bleeding happens to one out of five pregnant women. What’s unlikely is for the bleeding to be as heavy or last as long as a regular period, or coincide closely enough with the time you normally get your period for you to mistake it as one for nine months in a row.

The vast majority of pregnant women find out they’re pregnant long before their due date, and most of them do not bleed at all during pregnancy.

- Emily at Planned Parenthood

Tagged: pregnancyperiodspregnancy testsquestions

Taking Birth Control After an Abortion

Someone asked us:

I had an abortion about three weeks ago and I had stopped bleeding after two weeks, but then I started bleeding again like 4-5 days later.  I have been bleeding for about a week. Is this my period? I got birth control pills but I didn’t take them when I got them at the clinic. My question is, when can I start the pills and/or is it too late?

Thanks for your question. It’s not too late to start your birth control pills. In fact, you can get pregnant very soon after an abortion. So, birth control is an important and common concern for many people after they end a pregnancy.

A new menstrual cycle starts when a woman has an abortion. You should have a regular period in four to eight weeks following the procedure. It’s likely the most recent bleeding you mentioned is the return of your period. However, just like after the procedure, be aware of any warning signs like very heavy bleeding, severe pain, chills and a fever, or nausea and vomiting. If you notice anything like this, see your health care provider right away.

Learn more about abortion on our website.

-Nathan at Planned Parenthood 

Tagged: questionsabortionperiodsbirth control

Menstrual Cups


Someone asked us:

In a recent post you talked about menstrual options for younger people. May I recommend the menstrual cup as an alternative to pads and tampons? They’re simply the best for the environment, our wallets, and our bodies, and I think that it is very important to introduce these less mainstream options to new menstruaters.

Ah, the menstrual cup! The hidden gem of the menstrual product world!

You’re right, we should have mentioned the cup. The menstrual cup is a latex or silicone bell-shaped cup that’s inserted into the vagina. It’s kept in place by the walls of the vagina and collects menstrual fluid. You empty it every 12 hours.

Putting a menstrual cup in your vagina shouldn’t be painful. But it may take some practice. Some people report that it takes a cycle or two before they really develop their menstrual cup Zen.

If you’re a parent and you want to talk to your teen about the menstrual cup, here’s a helpful video. 

-Nathan at Planned Parenthood

Tagged: periodsmenstrual cupsquestions

What Is Spotting?


Someone asked us:

What exactly is spotting?

Spotting, also called “breakthrough bleeding,” is vaginal bleeding that happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle.  Although it varies from person to person, spotting is usually not as heavy nor does it last as long as your regular period. It’s fairly common, especially if you’ve just started a hormonal contraception method like the pill or ring, but will usually go away after a couple of cycles. Spotting is also more common for women who use the pill or ring continuously, without taking a week a month for placebo pills or to leave the ring in.

If you’ve been on a hormonal method for a few months and spotting is bothering you, talk with your health care provider about trying a different method or a different version of the pill that is less likely to cause spotting.

-Nathan at Planned Parenthood

Tagged: periodsbirth controlside effectsquestionsspotting

NuvaRing and the Menstrual Cup

Someone asked us:

I just got Nuva Ring and I know you’re supposed to insert it on your period when you first start using it. However, I use a menstrual cup. Will I be able to use both?

Using a menstrual cup with the ring won’t make it any less effective — as long as the ring is inside your vagina, it’s in the right place. But you might find it’s hard to get your menstrual cup out without pulling the ring out along with it. If the ring falls out and you pop it back in right away, it’s nothing to be worried about. But you might find it annoying.

Starting the ring within the first five days after the start of your period means it’s effective at preventing pregnancy right away. But there’s no reason why you have to start it in that time window. You can start it at any time during your cycle. But if it’s later than five days after the start of your period, you’ll need to use a backup method of protection (like condoms) for seven days.

-Alex at Planned Parenthood

Tagged: questionsthe birth control ringmenstrual cupperiods

Sex and Periods


Someone asked us:

Hi, I was wondering if having sex can push one’s period back?

Unprotected vaginal intercourse can push back your period.,- by about nine months! :-) But I don’t think you were talking about pregnancy when you asked your question.

Hormones, not sexual activity, are responsible for starting and stopping your period. FSH and LH, which are hormones released by the pituitary gland in your brain, trigger the production of estrogen in your ovaries,which results in the release of an egg. After ovulation, the ovaries produce progestin, which turns off the FSH and LH and eventually causes the lining of the uterus to shed (hello period!). If it sounds complicated, that’s because it is! But this neat little interactive animation can help you understand what’s going on. 

Stress, low body weight, and some kinds of birth control can interrupt or even temporarily eliminate your period, but it’s unlikely that having sex has any impact on the hormones that regulate your cycle.

-Nathan at Planned Parenthood

Tagged: Sexside effectsperiodsquestions

PMS


Someone asked us:

Q. Hello! I was wondering what can cause changes in relation to pms. For the last seven years, I never really had issues with cramps and nausea, but within the last two months, they’ve really been coming full force. I’m 18 and not sexually active, so I don’t really know what is going on.

Women’s periods can change over time, especially as they get older.  There are many different reasons why some women get painful cramps and nausea during their periods. But you don’t need to suffer in silence — nurses and doctors can help. Your local Planned Parenthood health center can help you with treatment options.

In the meantime, try using a heating pad on your back or abdomen when you have cramps. And check your drugstore for pain relievers specifically for menstrual cramps and nausea — your pharmacist may be able to point you in the right direction.

-Amy at PPFA

Tagged: questionsperiodsPMS

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