Does 3 days of withdrawal bleeding/menstruation mean she's not pregnant?

Hello Anonymous,

No. You should not be worried that you might be pregnant. The bleeding you had a week after taking Plan B proved the pill worked to prevent pregnancy.

One side effect is changes in the menstrual cycle. The next monthly period could start earlier or later than expected. Flow might be lighter or heavier than normal. Being irregular can make this more of a challenge.

Regards,
Maryann

Hello Anonymous,

To set the record straight , I reference the Women's Health Connecticut website,

"Menstruation and Hormones"

The “female” hormones are responsible for the menstrual cycle. The hormones that are most involved in the process include the following:

Estrogen

Rising levels of estrogen are responsible for the build up of the uterine lining (endometrium). This build up of the lining gets the uterus ready to accept a fertilized egg. As the cycle continues, and no pregnancy occurs, the levels of estrogen decrease. Decreasing estrogen loosens the support for the built up lining and helps to make it separate, and prepare for menses.

And The Baby Center website,

"No. You can't have your menstrual period while you're pregnant.

Some women do have vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Some even report intermittent bleeding that seems like a regular period to them. But vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is not the same thing as menstruation.

Menstruation only happens when you're not pregnant: Each month, your uterus grows a thick blood-rich lining in preparation for an egg to embed there. If you don't get pregnant that month, you shed this tissue and blood – that's your menstrual period.

But once an egg embeds in the uterine lining, hormones tell the blood-rich tissue to stay intact to support the growing baby. And you won't shed it and start having your period again until your pregnancy is over.

Bleeding occurs during pregnancy for various reasons, some serious and some not. Some women have light bleeding or spotting very early in pregnancy – near the time their period is due – and they may mistake that for a period. No one knows what causes this.

Some experts have suggested it might be "implantation bleeding" caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the blood-rich lining of the uterus. It's generally a lot lighter than a typical period and lasts just a day or two.

You may have spotting after a Pap smear, vaginal exam, or sex. This is because there's more blood going to your cervix during pregnancy.

Bleeding can also be a sign of something seriously wrong, such as an infection, placental problems, miscarriage, or an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening."

Regards,
Maryann

Hello Rhea,

I do not see your original post. Did you post anonymously?
What was your question?

In general, if you have a regular menstrual cycle, have had unprotected intercourse since your last period, and your period is late by at least one week, then you take a home pregnancy test.
For the most accurate result, test in the morning and use the first urine of the day.

If you have irregular periods and have missed a period from time to time, you must schedule an appointment with a gynecologist, who can diagnose the cause and prescribe treatment.

Regards,
Maryann