No, it's physiologically impossible to have a true menstrual period while pregnant. While some women may experience bleeding during pregnancy, this is not a regular period. The shedding of the uterine lining, which defines a period, ceases upon implantation of a fertilized egg.
Understanding Bleeding During Pregnancy
Several sources confirm that having a full period while pregnant is highly unlikely. Dr. Jonathan Schaffir, an ob-gyn, states that while some women report having periods during their first trimester, it's physiologically impossible. ^1 Bleeding during pregnancy can occur, but this is not a true period and can stem from various reasons, including implantation bleeding or other complications. [^2, ^3]
Several anecdotal accounts online describe women experiencing bleeding during early pregnancy, leading them to believe they were menstruating. However, these instances emphasize the possibility of mistaken identity between bleeding and a period. One example is a woman who continued to have what she believed were periods throughout her pregnancy, only realizing she was pregnant after considerable time had passed. ^4 This highlights the importance of understanding that irregular bleeding, even if resembling a period, is not indicative of a regular menstrual cycle during pregnancy. ^5
The confusion arises due to irregular cycles, missed periods, and the occasional spotting during early pregnancy that can be mistaken for light menstruation. Women with irregular menstrual cycles are more prone to this confusion, as they may not accurately track their cycles. [^6, ^7]
[^6]: Cleveland Clinic. (2022, November 8). Cryptic Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms & Risks. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24428-cryptic-pregnancy
[^7]: MD Anderson Cancer Center. (2023, September 21). "How I knew I had endometrial (uterine) cancer": Six survivors share their symptoms, stories. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/-how-i-knew-i-had-endometrial-cancer---six-survivors-share-their-symptoms-stories.h00-159621801.html
