Can you still have your period and be pregnant?
– Rosalind*

Once a girl is pregnant, she no longer gets her period. However, other bleeding can appear that is similar to a period. This includes a small amount of bleeding when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, which is known as implantation bleeding. This usually happens around the same time a girl would normally get her period and is totally normal. Other things, like a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg implants someplace other than in the uterus), also can cause bleeding.

Because some vaginal bleeding alone doesn't rule out pregnancy, see a doctor if you think you might be pregnant. Home pregnancy testing can be highly accurate if done correctly or done some weeks after you've become pregnant. If you do use a home pregnancy test, be sure to exactly follow the package directions.

For more information, check out these articles:
Irregular Periods
All About Menstruation
Having a Healthy Pregnancy

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: May 2007

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*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.