Is lack of implantation bleeding something to be concerned about?
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For many women who have been trying to conceive, any sign of a possible pregnancy can provide a sense of hope and expectation. Implantation bleeding is no different.
However, implantation bleeding can be a confusing occurrence. For some women, they may believe that their period has returned early. For women who have been attempting to become pregnant, and who may even have had a positive pregnancy test, implantation bleeding can cause a great deal of concern.
It is important to understand what exactly causes implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding is a small amount of bleeding in the uterus that occurs when the egg implants into the uterus. A specific tissue, known as trophoblast, develops from the fertilized egg and it surrounds it. It is what attaches the egg to the inside of the uterus, and actually eats its way into the uterus. The trophoblast actually pulls the egg to the inside of the endometrium. Trophoblast even invades the mother’s blood vessels and diverts her blood to the fertilized egg. Sometimes, this blood will leak and this causes implantation bleeding.
Implantation bleeding appears as a small amount of vaginal discharge that is typically pinkish to brownish in color. Implantation bleeding typically will occur at around 7 to 10 days after conception, or about four weeks after the last menstrual period. If you believe you have started a period, but the bleeding is scanty, pinkish, spotty, and doesn’t follow a normal flow pattern of a period (from light to heavy and back to light) it is probably not a period, but rather it is probably implantation bleeding rather than the start of your period.
If implantation bleeding is accompanied by cramping or increased bleeding, implantation bleeding is generally nothing to be concerned about. However, heavier bleeding that is accompanied by cramping can be a sign of a variety of problems. If this is the case, you should contact your health care provider immediately. Bleeding during pregnancy can indicate miscarriage, or it can indicate some other pregnancy-related problem.
Only around 30% of women will experience implantation bleeding. A lack of implantation bleeding does not seem to be related to any later problems with pregnancy, nor does the presence of implantation bleeding seem to guarantee a successful pregnancy.
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