Difference between pregnancy spots and menstruation that you should know

There are many reasons for vaginal discharge, it may be due to menstruation, pregnancy or other medical conditions. But, not all women can tell the difference between pregnancy and menstrual spots. Because when seen with the naked eye, both look almost the same and are often misinterpreted. Well, for that moms must know how the difference between pregnant and menstrual spots.

Difference between Pregnancy and Menstrual Flecks

Before we discuss what is the difference between pregnancy spots and menstruation, it is better to know the definition of spots itself. Flecks are light bleeding in the form of drops of blood coming out of the vagina. Many people think that spotting only occurs before menstruation. In fact, signs of pregnancy can also include the appearance of blood spots 10-14 days after fertilization.

Blood spots that appear due to pregnancy are called implantation blood spots. Implantation is the process of attaching the fertilized embryo to the uterine wall, which occurs a few days after conception or fertilization. Pregnant spots occur because the lining of the uterine wall has many blood vessels and triggers spots. The embryo sticks to the uterine wall so that the fetus continues to get nutrients and oxygen to grow and develop.

In general, pregnancy spots are not dangerous although sometimes they are often considered a sign of menstruation. The following are the most striking differences between pregnancy spots and periods:

Color

Moms can tell the difference between pregnancy spots and periods by the color. Pregnancy spots are usually brown and dark brown in color. Menstrual spots, on the other hand, are bright red or light brown at the beginning and later become dark red.

Duration

The duration of the spots can be the difference between pregnancy spots and menstrual spots. Pregnancy spots only last for a short period of 1-3 days and pre-menstrual spots for about 4-7 days.

Time lag

The difference between pregnancy spots and menstruation has a time lag that is not the same. Usually menstrual bleeding begins with spots that often increase over time for about 7 days. While pregnancy spots, bleeding can appear and disappear again in some time.

Amount

The volume of blood released during pregnancy and menstrual spots is also different. The number of pregnant spots and menstrual spots appear both like spotting. However, the difference is that in menstrual spots, the amount of blood released will be more abundant and heavy.

Texture

Although they are blood spots, pregnant and menstrual spots have different textures. Pregnant spots due to implantation bleeding are not in the form of blood clots. Whereas menstrual spots come out like clots.

Cramps

Abdominal cramps are both a sign of menstruation and pregnancy. However, pregnant cramps are usually short-lived. In pregnant spots, the pain is milder than menstrual cramps.

Other symptoms

Pay attention to other symptoms when blood spots appear. Pregnancy spots and menstruation have their own distinctive symptoms. For example, pregnant spots appear accompanied by nausea and vomiting or morning sickness. While menstrual spots are not accompanied by these symptoms.

Well, that's the difference between pregnant and menstrual spots that you must know. That way, you can better recognize what is happening to the body. If you are still unsure whether the spots are due to pregnancy or menstruation, you can wait some time to take a pregnancy test and see a doctor. (Aq / MKk)