Implantation bleeding occurs, usually when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of a woman's uterus to begin the process of pregnancy.
It is a
normal phenomenon in pregnant women, yet many women are completely unaware of
what it is. That is, they have no idea about this.
In some
women it is seen that, bleeding from menstruation can be confused with
bleeding, because the two can be similar.
This
bleeding is very light and usually benign and does not require any treatment. However,
in some cases, implantation bleeding may require a visit to a healthcare
practitioner.
What do you mean by implantation bleeding?
A
woman's implantation bleeding occurs just before the expected menstrual cycle.
This is a very early sign of pregnancy, a woman can be sure that she is
pregnant if it occurs a few days before the pregnancy test.
The
implantation process begins with fertilization. Once a sperm fertilizes an egg,
it is called an embryo. The embryo enters the uterus through the fallopian
tube. During this time, the embryo multiplies, becoming a blastocyst, which
combines many cells together.
Once the
blastocyst reaches the uterus, it looks for a good place to attach itself to
the uterine wall. This attachment to the uterus is called implantation. And
once implantation is complete, the embryo stays in the same place throughout
the 9-month journey to the newborn (that is, until the baby is born).
This
implantation usually occurs about 1 to 2 weeks after the egg is fertilized. It
occurs about a week after ovulation and a few days before a woman's regular
period.
Signs and symptoms of implantation
One of
the most easily identifiable symptoms of early pregnancy is implantation
bleeding. There are some signs you should look for to know if a woman has
implantation bleeding.
Because there are some distinct signs and symptoms to help identify it:
What are the symptoms of implantation bleeding in women?
Symptoms
that occur during implantation bleeding in women are as follows:
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Early Bleeding: Implantation bleeding usually
occurs a few days before the expected menstrual cycle. And, this is not always
the case and many women confuse the two.
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Abnormal colored discharge: Implantation bleeding usually
produces an abnormal discharge, which varies from pink to very dark brown or
black.
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Very light bleeding: Bleeding and discharge due to
implantation usually does not last more than 48 hours. Many women experience
spotting or spotting for just a few hours or a streak of discharge.
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Cramping: You may also experience mild and
temporary cramping as a result of implantation.
Other signs of implantation
As we
know, implantation is the first symptom of pregnancy, therefore, a woman may
also experience other symptoms related to pregnancy.
Early pregnancy symptoms can vary from woman to woman. For example, it may include:
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Implantation
bleeding can occur before the menstrual cycle.
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Mood
swings in women
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body
fatigue
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dizziness
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headache
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Tender,
swollen breasts
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Nausea
and vomiting
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Constipation
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The
sense of smell is enhanced
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Food
cravings and aversions
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Increased
body temperature
Does it need treatment?
Implantation
bleeding is considered a normal symptom of pregnancy, so it is usually not
dangerous. This does not require treatment or you should not seek treatment.
Bleeding
that occurs in a woman's uterus as a result of implantation usually clears up
within a few days, so no treatment is needed. But unusually heavy bleeding can
be a sign of menstrual or pregnancy complications. If this is the case, doctors
advise women not to use tampons during this time.
What is implantation bleeding vs menstrual cycle?
Many times,
women confuse implantation bleeding with a light menstrual cycle.
So there
are steps women can take to help identify whether or not implantation bleeding
is occurring:
Do a blood test
First,
looking at the blood itself can give you some answers. Implantation bleeding
will usually look different from menstrual bleeding. It may be darker than
period blood because of the extra time the blood has to pass through the
vagina.
Bleeding
is usually very light and implantation bleeding usually does not last more than
1 day. Some women may experience spotting for a few hours and no more. Some
women may experience a single spot of blood and discharge without any other
symptoms. Remember, this will often produce a discharge with a pink or brown
tint.
The type
of blood seen during menstruation: Menstruation usually produces a lot of red
blood that lasts for a few days or more, with heavy to light discharge during
that time.
Most
women can see what their normal bleeding looks like and will probably notice
that implantation bleeding looks different.
Check the time
If you
think you may be experiencing implantation bleeding, think about the time since
you last had sex. And know that implantation occurs 6 to 12 days after
fertilization and about a week after ovulation.
This usually
occurs around or just before the period of menstruation. If it's been more than
a month since you had intercourse, understand that implantation bleeding is
less likely.
The
easiest way to find out is to wait a few days and then take a home pregnancy
test. Keep in mind that these tests work best a few days after implantation
bleeding has stopped.
Other symptoms can be checked
Also associated pregnancy symptoms can help you distinguish between implantation bleeding and menstruation in women.
One of its easily identifiable symptoms is morning sickness. Nausea first thing in the morning can be a sign of pregnancy for you and it is not usually a sign of regular menstruation. However, this nausea can also be caused by certain everyday smells such as meat, garlic or pets.
Another symptom caused by implantation is cramping, which is caused by the egg sticking to the wall of your uterus. These cramps are often milder than those many women experience during regular periods.
Breast
tenderness can also be an early sign of pregnancy, especially in women who do
not experience breast pain during menstruation. Other symptoms may be difficult
for you to measure, such as mood swings and food cravings. These can be
symptoms of both pregnancy and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Complexity
Implantation
bleeding is usually nothing to worry about. This is a sign of the uterus
preparing to start growing a fetus. Which happens normally.
If you
are still unsure, you can take a pregnancy test to find out if you have
implantation bleeding or a period or if you are pregnant. But you should wait a
few days for the bleeding to stop before getting tested.
Women
experiencing heavy bleeding at any stage of pregnancy is a sign of
complications. So if this is the case you should seek medical advice.
When should a doctor be consulted?
Light
bleeding is normal at different stages of your pregnancy. This can be caused by
a variety of things, such as irritation from a routine exam, penis, or vaginal
infection. This light bleeding usually doesn't last long, but if you experience
any bleeding, it should be reported to a doctor, just to be safe.
And if
you experience heavy bleeding, you will need medical attention. A heavy or
persistent bleeding that is accompanied by menstrual cramps or blood clots can
be a sign of serious complications, such as:
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A
molar pregnancy, in which a noncancerous tumor develops in the uterus
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An
ectopic pregnancy, in which the egg implants somewhere other than the uterus,
is a medical emergency.
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A
miscarriage, which is the early loss of a pregnancy
