subject: Menstruation And Implantation Bleeding [print this page] There are many differences between menstruation and implantation bleeding. In fact, menstruation is never implantation bleeding and vice versa. However, many women tend to mistakenly take implantation bleeding as menstruation. This is often the case when implantation bleeding takes place very near to the menstrual date. But, if we know the differences, we can easily distinguish between menstruation and implantation bleeding. We will now look at these confusion relieving points of distinction.
Definition
Menstruation, also known as period, refers to the discharge of the uterine lining, which takes place monthly around after a gap of four weeks from the last one. Normally, it remains for 3 to 5 days sometimes extending to 7 days too. On the other hand, implantation bleeding or spotting refers to an irregular bleeding that is very light in flow and has nothing to do with menstrual bleeding. It takes place at the time of fertilization, pregnancy, or because of a uterine infection and normally lasts for a minimum of few minutes until five days maximum. Unlike menstruation, it is pinkish or brownish when seen.
Causes
Periods takes place regularly in a number of mammalian females once they accomplish their capability of reproduction. It belongs to the menstrual cycle, which is characterized by substantial continuous bleeding for a week. But, emotional stress normally affects the regulation. On the contrary, spotting, as vaginal bleeding, can occur because of implantation at the time of pregnancy, stress, hormonal imbalance, miscarriage, or instillation of Intra Uterine Device (IUD).
Problems
Speaking about menstruation, the common problem with this is PreMenstrual Syndrome (PMS). This is something that is noticed by most of the girls and ladies just prior to the beginning of menstruation. Its symptoms are acne, cramps, headache, irritability, food cravings, constipation, and bloating. Period normally takes place monthly, but it can be unusual in the sense that it might come early or late or can even come with heavy or very less flow. These changes might occur because of hormonal changes. Other menstrual disorders are oligoovulation that is nothing but uneven ovulation, anovulation that indicates no ovulation, hypomenorrhea marked by too scanty flow, menorrhagia characterized by heavy flows, metrorrhagia that is erratic menstruation, and amenorhea that means no periods for 3 to 4 months. So, if you notice any changes in menses, you must always consult a doctor.
Coming to vaginal bleeding or spotting, there are many critical conditions leading to spotting, which are hormone therapy, cervical cancer, fibroids, ovarian cysts, hypothyroidism, and ovarian cancer. Slight bleeding is common during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, if even more bleeding is seen, then that can be a symptom of fibroids, vaginal infection, molar pregnancy, and inflamed cervix. If heavy bleeding is complemented by severe cramps when you are pregnant, know that this can be a result of a critical problem like miscarriage.
Table 1.1 summarizes the differences between menstruation and implantation bleeding.
MenstruationImplantation Bleeding
DescriptionThis is detaching or discharging of the endometrial lining of the uterus occurring after every 4 weeks.This is vaginal bleeding not happening monthly, but occurring due to some medical condition.
DurationWeek
Minimum: 3 days
Maximum 7 daysMinimum: Few minutes
Maximum: 5 days
IncidenceMonthlyIrregular
Is this a Normal and Natural Process?YesNo, as it indicates any of the situations like pregnancy or some medical disorder
