Periods are a normal function of a woman’s body and their duration is different in everyone. But sometimes having a very short period that lasts for one day or two days can make a woman anxious about being pregnant. But if the period gets shorter or longer, it is normal and doesn’t necessarily mean that a woman is pregnant.
While a short period or spotting is a common sign of pregnancy but that’s not the only possibility. There are so many things involved which govern a woman’s periods. From lifestyle changes, hormonal issues to a medical condition, the culprit could be anything.
Most women experience their monthly period to show up every 28 to 30 days. But some healthy woman also experiences their monthly cycle after 21 days or for some, it can drag to 35 days too.
Just like how every woman’s body is different, periods are also different. The typical duration for the periods is between three and five days. But sometimes a short period, which lasts two days or extends to seven days is also normal. If a woman experiences a sudden change in duration, severity or pain associated with a period, it may have more than one cause behind it.
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The first thing that comes to everyone’s mind after having a very short period, is that probably they are pregnant. In that case, this bleeding is not mensural blood but implantation bleeding which only takes place when the body attaches a fertilized eff with the inner lining of the wall of the uterus.
This period is lighter and different from regular menstruation and it lasts for maximum of two days. The color of blood in implantation bleeding is also different than regular menstrual blood. Normally, a pregnant woman can expect this type of implantation bleeding within two weeks of conception. However, not every woman gets this implantation bleeding.
But sometimes a very short period also shows an ectopic pregnancy. In this type of pregnancy, a fertilized egg doesn’t attach to the uterus lining but on fallopian tubes or anywhere but not the uterus. Unexplained vaginal bleeding is typically one of the earliest signs of an ectopic pregnancy. This type of pregnancy is extremely dangerous and if continued, it can rupture the fallopian tubes, leading to severe abdominal bleeding.
If other symptoms along with unexplained bleeding show up such as abdominal pain, pressure in the rectum, dizziness, and fatigue, seek medical help immediately.
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But what if a woman is already pregnant and she experiences a period like bleeding? In that case, this bleeding or spotting might be showing a miscarriage. It is possible for many women not to understand if they are having a period or miscarriage. Or sometimes, they don’t even know about their pregnancy and only get to know it after the miscarriage takes place.
There are many other factors such as birth control, medicines, breastfeeding, weight loss or weight gain, and dietary habits which can affect a period. Sometimes it takes nearly one year to get back to the normal period track after a delivery.
If there is no apparent reason behind a very short period, the best is to speak to a doctor and discuss the possibilities, whether or not you are pregnant.
