Can You Be Pregnant and Still Have a Period?

Pregnancy brings lots of changes to your body, so it’s normal to wonder what might remain the same. But one thing you might not have been expected in pregnancy? Getting your period—or at least what seems like your period. It’s actually a commonly asked question: Can you be pregnant and have your period?

Biologically, no—so what gives with the spotting you’re experiencing, and when is there cause for concern? Here, we tapped experts for answers to your burning questions. Keep reading to learn more about whether you can have a period while pregnant, and what to do if you experience period-like bleeding or cramps during pregnancy.

Key Takeaways

• In short, it’s impossible to be pregnant and have a period at the same time.
• During pregnancy, you may experience some spotting, bleeding and cramping for a variety of reasons, some of which may be minor, and others that are more serious.
• You should always reach out to your provider about any bleeding to rule out any worrisome issues.

Can You Be Pregnant and Have a Period?

Think you maybe got your period while pregnant? It’s confusing, but you definitely didn’t. Given how your menstrual cycle works, it’s impossible to be both pregnant and still have a period. That said, while you can’t have a period during pregnancy, some women might experience spotting, bleeding and even cramping that may mimic a period. (More on this below.)

Why you can’t get your period while pregnant

Let’s revisit why women get periods in the first place: Over the course of a menstrual cycle, the lining of a woman’s uterus slowly thickens with blood in preparation for a fertilized embryo to implant in the uterine wall, explains Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn in Orlando, Florida. However, if a woman doesn’t get pregnant at the end of her menstrual cycle, that uterine lining is then shed, resulting in a period, adds Cynthia Flynn, MD, a Florida-based ob-gyn. In other words, if you’re pregnant, your body retains and continues to build the uterine lining, rather than shedding it out in the form of menstrual period.

Why You Might Feel Like You’re Getting a Period While Pregnant

It’s understandable to be concerned if you experience period-like bleeding during early pregnancy, as it can potentially be a sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. But bleeding during pregnancy doesn’t always mean that something is terribly amiss. In fact, approximately a third of women will experience some spotting and bleeding during their first trimester, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics at Yale School of Medicine. While half of these cases may sadly end in miscarriage, the other half will proceed as usual.

Some other possible reasons you might experience period-like bleeding during pregnancy, per the experts, include:

• Implantation bleeding: This happens during early pregnancy, when the newly fertilized embryo travels from the fallopian tube and attaches to the uterine lining, Minkin says. Implantation bleeding is usually light and not a cause for concern.

• A subchorionic bleed: This is a small collection of blood behind the placenta that could appear during early pregnancy. “It’s very common and usually resolves on its own,” Flynn says.

• A sensitive cervix: This could be a result of the cervix getting softer during pregnancy. “Occasionally even having intercourse can lead to some spotting,” Minkin says.

• Placenta previa: This occurs when the placenta is very low in the uterus and covers the cervix, potentially blocking baby’s exit path. Per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), while some cases may resolve on their own, others can be more serious.

• Placental abruption: This is when the placenta begins to detach from the uterus before labor starts. It can cause complications if not caught early enough, per ACOG.

• Preterm labor: This is when labor begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy. However, you might also experience bleeding at the onset of labor at term, Minkin states, due to the stretching of the cervix.

• Cervical polyp: Cervical polyps are small growths of tissue on the cervix. They’re typically not a cause for concern but may bleed due to the increased number of blood vessels in the cervix.

Why You Might Have Period-Like Cramps During Pregnancy

You can’t get your period during pregnancy, but you may still, unfortunately, experience some period-like symptoms, such as cramps, during pregnancy. They could be due to implantation pain in early pregnancy or the growth of the uterus in the first trimester. “It often feels like you’re about to get your period, but it never comes,” Flynn explains. “In the second trimester, you may get a few Braxton Hicks contractions or round ligament pain. Both are felt as cramping.”

While some period-like cramping is par for the course, severe cramping at any point during pregnancy could be a sign of a more serious issue, such as an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or preterm labor. If you do experience more painful cramps during pregnancy, reach out to your provider, especially if it’s persistent. “These are the symptoms your doctor wants to hear about,” says Flynn.

When to Talk to a Doctor

Experts say that the best thing to do if you’re experiencing any type of bleeding during pregnancy is to call your healthcare provider, so they can make sure everything is okay with you and baby. While some circumstances may call for further treatment, “in many cases, an ultrasound will show that everything is okay and may even determine the cause of the bleeding,” Flynn says.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.