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What Is Implantation Bleeding?

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Posted on Tue, 6 Sep 2016
Question: I recently had unprotected sex with my significant other in hope of becoming pregnant. I have read about implantation spotting and what it is, but I have a few questions. About three days after having sex, I started bleeding...heavily. My due date for my next period isn't suppose to be for another week so I'm a little confused on what's going on. In reading, I saw that implantation spotting is usually light bleeding rather than heavy. Also I am experiencing cramps similar to mestrual cramps, but not as painful. Since its only been a couple of days since intercourse, I don't know if spotting could show up this early. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be implantation spotting.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

The bleeding you described is unlikely to be uterine implantation spotting. When this happens (and it doesn't always happen), it is usually light spotting, and happens around a week after fertilization.

The bleeding and cramping you are having is more likely to be an early period from an anovulatory cycle. This is a cycle where you don't produce a mature egg. When this happens, periods are often atypical, coming earlier, later, being shorter or longer, and sometimes the flow is different.

Anovulatory cycles are not uncommon in the teen years and occasionally in the early 20s.

If the cramping becomes more severe pain, then go in to be seen to make sure it is not an ectopic pregnancy, but this is less likely.

Is there a reason you want to conceive when you are 18? Because there are more risks, to you and the baby, that are lower just a few years from now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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What Is Implantation Bleeding?

Brief Answer: Unlikely to be implantation spotting. Detailed Answer: Hello, The bleeding you described is unlikely to be uterine implantation spotting. When this happens (and it doesn't always happen), it is usually light spotting, and happens around a week after fertilization. The bleeding and cramping you are having is more likely to be an early period from an anovulatory cycle. This is a cycle where you don't produce a mature egg. When this happens, periods are often atypical, coming earlier, later, being shorter or longer, and sometimes the flow is different. Anovulatory cycles are not uncommon in the teen years and occasionally in the early 20s. If the cramping becomes more severe pain, then go in to be seen to make sure it is not an ectopic pregnancy, but this is less likely. Is there a reason you want to conceive when you are 18? Because there are more risks, to you and the baby, that are lower just a few years from now.