How to differentiate early pregnancy miscarriage from menstruation
Jan 28, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
The difference between early pregnancy miscarriage and menstruation lies in the timing of bleeding, accompanying symptoms, and HCG levels. Women experiencing an early pregnancy miscarriage usually have a history of regular sexual activity and missed periods. A normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days; when the absence of menstruation exceeds 35 days, and especially if a woman previously confirmed to be pregnant experiences vaginal bleeding, early miscarriage should be considered.
The difference between early pregnancy miscarriage and menstruation lies in the timing of bleeding, accompanying symptoms, and HCG levels. If a couple has had regular sexual intercourse without contraception, it is recommended to visit a正规 hospital for evaluation when vaginal bleeding occurs to determine whether a miscarriage has occurred.
1. Timing of Bleeding
Women experiencing an early pregnancy miscarriage typically have a history of regular sexual activity and missed periods. A normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days; if menstruation is delayed beyond 35 days, and especially if pregnancy has been previously confirmed, vaginal bleeding may indicate an early miscarriage. In contrast, menstrual cycles are generally regular, rarely delayed by more than one week, and the amount of bleeding is usually consistent.
2. Accompanying Symptoms
During an early miscarriage, the gestational sac separates from the uterine decidua, causing strong uterine contractions to expel embryonic tissue, which results in severe abdominal pain. While some women experience menstrual cramps, these are generally milder in nature—often described as dull or aching—and do not involve intense pain.
3. HCG Levels
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone secreted by the trophoblast cells of the embryo. Women who have experienced an early miscarriage will still have elevated HCG levels above the normal non-pregnant range, resulting in a positive result on a pregnancy test. In contrast, during a normal menstrual period, HCG levels are the same as those in non-pregnant women, and pregnancy tests yield a negative result.
