Can You Take a Pregnancy Test on Your Period?

So you have PMS symptoms and you’re bleeding.

You’re on your period, right?

Well, not necessarily.

Although bleeding is often a reliable sign that you’re not pregnant, in some cases, it could actually mean the opposite.

(Say whaaattt? 🫠)

Bleeding could be your first early pregnancy sign — AKA implantation bleeding.

Or, of course, it may just be good old Aunt Flo. 🩸

One of the amazing things about pregnancy is that early symptoms are very similar to PMS symptoms. 🙃

(We know. Go figure.)

So can you take a pregnancy test on your period?

Let’s find out.

In this article: 📝

Can you have a period and be pregnant?

No, it’s not possible to have a period if you are pregnant.

But bleeding in pregnancy (especially early pregnancy) is pretty common (around 1 in 4women), and can often be mistaken for your period.

Welcome to the rollercoaster that is trying to understand women’s health. 🙃

But that’s why we’re here! 🤗

We’ll help to explain the possible reasons for bleeding, and tell you how to spot an implantation bleed from a regular period.

Can I take a pregnancy test on my period?

Yes, you absolutely can take a pregnancy test on your period.

If the result is positive, this shows that the bleeding isn't actually your period, but it could be a number of things — like implantation bleeding.

And if the result is negative, it’s likely that this bleeding is your period.

So how do you tell the difference?

Period or implantation bleed?

Here’s the thing…

It can sometimes be quite tricky to tell whether it’s implantation bleeding or just your time of the month. 😖

Implantation bleeding happens when the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining.

Typically, this can often be timed with when you’d expect your period anyway. 🙃

But not all hope is lost — there are some ways to tell the two apart without the help of a doctor.

Period signs

If the bleeding is similar to your regular period flow, it’s most likely your period.

You’ll also likely recognize your regular PMS symptoms, like acne, bloating, cravings, cramps, period poop…

Ah, good times. 🩸

Implantation bleeding signs

If your bleeding is light (spotting), doesn’t last as long as usual, and doesn’t include any blood clots or heavy bleeding, this could be implantation bleeding.

It can also appear as watery bloody discharge, too. 🩸

But, just when you thought you knew what you were dealing with, Mother Nature is throwing another curveball at us.

It is possible to have heavy implantation bleeding, too (we’re sorry). 🤦‍♀️

Although this is quite rare, it can last up to three days and is normally "lighter" than your usual period.

So the all-important question may linger — are you pregnant?

If you’re pretty sure this blood just ain’t your period, or you simply just don’t know, it may be time to pee on a stick!

🔎 Read more: How Soon After Implantation Should I Test?

Can a pregnancy test be positive when you’re on your period?

Yes and no— if you’ve got a positive pregnancy test whilst you’re ‘on your period’, then it's not technically your period.

It's confusing, but let's make it easier to understand.

Yes, you can test positive for pregnancy while bleeding from your vagina, but no, you can't test positive if that bleeding is your period.

Can hCG be present during your period?

Technically, yes, since we always have a trace amount of hCG in our blood at all times — but not enough to trigger a positive on a pregnancy test.

But hCG hormones can be detected if you're pregnant and have another reason for bleeding.

As well as implantation bleeding (👆), there are other reasons why you might bleed while pregnant.

Let’s explore them together below. ❤️

I’m not on my period or pregnant, so why am I bleeding?

If your bleeding isn’t similar to your regular flow, symptoms, or length, and you’ve had a negative pregnancy test, you may be feeling confused.

What could be causing this?

Well, it could actually be a number of things:

• Contraception: Some forms of birth control (like the pill or the coil) can cause irregular bleeding.
• Infection: Infections, like STDs (like chlamydia or gonorrhea) or other bacterial infections like thrush, can sometimes cause bleeding.
• Hormone levels: Sometimes, your hormones can get a bit out of sync, which can lead to irregular bleeding. This is definitely one to check out with the doc to see how they can help rebalance your hormone health.
• Trauma or injury: Cervical trauma can cause bleeding, and can be due to past obstetric or gynecological surgery (for example, HPV cell treatment), or C-sections. It could even be caused by something like your routine pap smear, or slightly rougher sex than normal.

But there can be many more reasons for irregular bleeding — some of which could be more serious — so be sure to get yourself checked out by the doctor if you’re having any symptoms you’re concerned about.

Why else could I bleed in early pregnancy?

Let’s look at this from another way.

You’ve had a positive pregnancy test and you’re bleeding, but the implantation bleeding window has passed.

What are some of the other reasons for early pregnancy bleeding?

• Cervical changes: Again, changes to your cervix (including cervical trauma, such as rougher sex or previous gynecological surgeries) can cause bleeding. Cervical polyps can also develop, which can lead to irritation, inflammation, and, sometimes, bleeding.
• Infection: Similarly, infections can also cause bleeding in pregnancy. Annoyingly, thrush can actually be quite a common infection when you’re pregnant… like you don’t have enough going on right now. 🫠
• Ectopic pregnancy: This is when a fertilized egg doesn’t implant to the uterus, but instead, attaches to the fallopian tube (96% of the time, it happens in the fallopian tubes) or somewhere else outside of the uterus. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include bleeding, but also increasing pelvic pain or stomach cramps. Unfortunately, the fertilized egg won’t be able to survive, and the growth can lead to life-threatening complications if not treated. So if you have any bleeding during pregnancy, it’s always worth visiting your healthcare provider, just in case.
• Early miscarriage: Also known as a chemical (or biochemical) pregnancy, this is when you have a very early miscarriage (usually before your 6th week). If you are experiencing heavier bleeding accompanied by pain following a positive pregnancy test, this could be the sign of a chemical pregnancy, and you’ll need to go and get checked out as soon as possible by your healthcare provider.

Generally though, spotting or light bleeding early in pregnancy isn’t usually cause for concern.

But it’s still best to get it checked out by the doc, anyway — better to be safe.

When can I take a pregnancy test?

If you decide to go ahead and take a pregnancy test while you’re bleeding, try to take it first thing in the morning.

This is because the hCG levels in your blood will be the least diluted, and you’ll get the most accurate result.

So, before you hit the hay, maybe set up the test ready to go in the morning straight after you hop out of bed. 🛌🏻

So, although you can take a pregnancy test on your period, whether you should or not depends on a number of things.

Plus, your local drugstore tests aren’t always cheap, so not only could it be unnecessary, but it may also be costing you, too. 💵

Always remember, our Peanut Community is always here, 24/7, so you can talk to other women who get what you’re going through.

You’re not alone. ❤️