Implantation Bleeding
What is the difference between implantation bleeding and menstruation? Learn all about its duration and characteristics.
Symptoms and Causes
Implantation bleeding is light spotting that occurs between ten and fourteen days after fertilization, during the attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine lining (endometrium). Since it happens around the time menstruation is expected, it can be confusing, although the amount of blood loss is significantly lower.
Although it is often a cause for concern, especially for women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, implantation bleeding is common and is not associated with any medical issues.
The main differences between implantation bleeding and menstruation are:
- Texture: The spotting that indicates pregnancy is lighter.
- Color: While menstrual blood is red, implantation bleeding is darker, almost brown.
- Duration: Menstruation typically lasts between five and seven days, whereas implantation spotting lasts from a few hours to two days.
- Amount: Blood loss from implantation is light and intermittent.
Not all pregnant women experience implantation spotting.
Symptoms
The clearest symptom of implantation bleeding is vaginal spotting, which can vary in amount and duration but is usually light. Patients may also experience other symptoms such as nausea, breast tenderness, or a delayed menstrual cycle due to pregnancy.
Causes
Implantation spotting occurs because, when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall, the most superficial capillaries of the endometrium rupture.
Risk Factors
Implantation bleeding occurs during the first weeks of pregnancy, so it only affects women who have recently conceived.
Complications
Unlike other types of bleeding during pregnancy, implantation spotting does not lead to complications. However, when mistaken for menstruation, it can cause confusion in determining the embryonic age, which is later clarified through the first-trimester ultrasound.
Prevention
It is not possible to prevent implantation bleeding, nor is it necessary, as it poses no harm to either the fetus or the pregnant woman.
What Doctor Treats Implantation Bleeding?
Both gynecologists and midwives (obstetric-gynecological nurses) diagnose and monitor implantation bleeding and pregnancy.
Diagnosis
When a patient visits the doctor due to suspected implantation bleeding, pregnancy is confirmed through the following methods:
- Analysis of the reported symptoms and menstrual cycle history.
- Observation of the spotting characteristics.
- Transvaginal ultrasound, which can detect the presence of an implanted embryo in the uterus.
Treatment
Implantation bleeding does not require treatment. However, since it indicates pregnancy, the necessary prenatal check-ups are scheduled, along with the corresponding dietary recommendations.
