Ask the doctors

A: Medically speaking, if there is a pregnancy, then a woman should not have a period.

However, there is a possibility that bleeding during the very early stages of pregnancy could be mistaken for a period.

A small percentage of pregnancies fail, causing a delayed, heavy period. Without a pregnancy test, a woman can assume it is an irregular period. If a faint positive pregnancy test was conducted prior to bleeding, you should seek medical advice.

Sometimes, there can also be bleeding in early pregnancy resembling a period. This is termed a threatened miscarriage and you should see a gynaecologist for further evaluation.
 

Dr Anthony Siow is a senior consultant at the Parkway Gynaecology Screening & Treatment Centre in Singapore