Implant losses: what they are, when they appear and how to recognize them

What are system leaks?

We are well aware that the first real “symptom” of pregnancy common to all women is the non-arrival of menstruation 16 days after ovulation. In some cases, however, even a slight bleeding can be one of the first signs of pregnancy.

These bleedings, which appear about 10-14 days after the meeting between the egg and the sperm, are called spotting or implantation discharge , but are also known as false menstruation.

Approximately one in four women in early pregnancy will experience implantation bleeding . Since this bleeding typically occurs just a few days before the regular period, some women may confuse it with the onset of bleeding. For this reason, it is important to know how to distinguish implantation bleeding from menstrual bleeding.

How are the system leaks? Some examples

Implantation discharge is usually brown or pink in color . Their appearance depends on various factors and in particular on the time it takes for the blood to leave the vaginal canal. For example:

• if the blood is fresh , it will appear bright red , indicating that the implant is recent;
• if it is “older” , it will appear brownish due to oxidation, indicating that the nesting dates back to a few days ago.

On its way from the uterus to the outside of the body, blood may sometimes mix with vaginal discharge and/or cervical mucus . If so, the implant discharge will be pink, orange , or white with red streaks .

Speaking instead of the amount of blood , false menstruation usually manifests itself in two ways:

• very slight spotting , visible for example when wiping after urinating)
• enough blood flow to stain a panty liner .

Also, leaks can be both intermittent and continuous .

System leaks: after how many days do they occur?

Implantation losses occur very early in pregnancy and typically begin within 10-14 days of conception, which is approximately 10-14 days after ovulation . To calculate instead when they can appear after sexual intercourse , it must be borne in mind that spermatozoa can remain viable from 3 to 5 days in the female body. As a result, losses may be postponed for a few days.

More rarely, implant spotting can happen a little earlier or a little later. This variability depends on any advances or delays in ovulation and on the speed with which the implantation process takes place.

The most typical situation, however, is that the implant losses appear a few days before the menstrual expiration. For example, if the start of the cycle is expected on November 20th, implant spotting will most likely appear between November 13th and 20th, while it is less frequent for it to occur before or after this period.

How long do implant leaks last?

The answer is: it depends. Usually, implant losses last a day or two at most .

In some cases, they may be barely visible and last only a few hours . In rarer cases, they can last longer. Usually, implantation losses stop as soon as the fertilized egg (which is in the blastocyst stage) is completely embedded in the wall of the uterus.

If bleeding continues for more than a few days, it may not be due to the implant . Possible causes of bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy include cervical infections and changes, urinary tract infections (hemorrhagic cystitis), amniochorionic detachment or threatened miscarriage, miscarriage, and ectopic/ectopic pregnancy , a potentially very dangerous condition.

For these reasons, if bleeding continues and/or becomes more profuse, you should seek medical attention.

How to understand if it is a question of system or cycle losses?

Here are the main differences between cycle and plant losses .

Color and texture

Menstrual flow is usually bright red and watery. Implantation discharges are light pink, tan or dark brown in color. Also, implant spotting does not have blood clots (clots) .

Amount

Menstruation usually begins with little bleeding, becomes progressively more abundant for two days and then decreases until it ceases. Leaks from the system, on the other hand, remain low for as long as they are present. Also, while menstrual bleeding easily fills up a tampon or pad, implant spotting is limited to a few spots.

Duration

Menstrual flow can continue uninterrupted for up to a week, while implantation discharge usually resolves within a couple of days .

Ache

Implantation discharge can be accompanied by abdominal cramps , but these are usually less painful than menstrual cramps and are referred to as implantation cramps .

Other symptoms

Spotting might be accompanied by other early pregnancy symptoms, such as:

• breast tension
• fatigue
• nausea

What do system losses depend on?

Implantation spotting is due to small blood losses that can accompany the process of nesting of the embryo in the walls of the uterus (known as implantation or nidation ).

In short, if intercourse leads to conception, the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Once it has reached its destination, it digs a small nest inside the mucosa and implants itself in the uterine walls.

This process can cause some irritation to the lining of the uterus and cause some small blood vessels to rupture, resulting in bleeding and bleeding from the cervix. Externally, this will be visible in the form of light spotting , as a direct result of the implantation process.

Should plant leaks be a concern?

Bleeding of any kind during pregnancy should never be taken lightly, however implantation bleeding is not a threat to the woman or developing baby .

If, on the other hand, the losses last more than a few days or are substantial, it is advisable to notify the gynecologist immediately.

Sometimes bleeding can also occur after the implantation period. This can be caused by various reasons, not necessarily worrying, including:

• sexual intercourse
• internal gynecological exams (such as a vaginal speculum exam)
• heavy lifting
• excessive exercise
• undiagnosed vaginal infections

When this happens, it’s always important to let your doctor know.

What if the system leaks do not occur?

In this case there is no need to worry . In fact, implant spotting occurs in only 25-30% of expectant mothers .

Furthermore, even in the same woman, it may not appear in all pregnancies . It is generally more frequent in the former than in the later ones.

System leaks and negative test

As we have said, implant spotting typically occurs a few days before or around your period. For this reason, taking a pregnancy test as soon as bleeding is observed may be too early and give a negative result even if the woman is pregnant. The advice is therefore to repeat the test a few days later (if menstruation does not occur).

In fact, we remind you that, in order to have a reliable result, it is advisable to perform the test on the first day of delayed menstruation (in the case of a regular cycle).