What Is the Process of Implantation and Periods?
Implantation: It occurs when the woman has unprotected sex in her fertile window. The process involves the fertilization of an egg (female reproductive cell) by sperm (male reproductive cell found in semen) within the fallopian tubes (tubular structures in the female reproductive system), resulting in the formation of a zygote (a cluster of cells undergoing constant division). Then this zygote travels down the fallopian tube with a continuous increase in cellular numbers called a morula. Later, when it reaches the uterine cavity, this large ball of cells is called the blastocyst. This blastocyst contacts the implantation site on the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus), then trophoblast cells in the blastocyst attach this growing ball of cells to the receptive endometrial lining. Then these trophoblast cells further invade the blastocyte into the uterine lining. This endometrial invasion happens around six to ten days after ovulation, just before the initiation of upcoming menstruation in normal 28 days menstrual cycle.
Periods (Menstruation): In females of reproductive age, every month, the inner lining of the uterus builds up and becomes highly vascularised as a part of the preparation for the probable pregnancy. If the pregnancy does not occur, this lining sheds under the influence of the hormones. At the end of every menstrual cycle, this shedding of the inner uterine lining in the absence of conception causes periods to come. To expel the endometrial lining of the uterus during menstruation, the uterine muscles undergo contractions and relaxation. These contractions help the thick endometrial lining of the uterus to detach and flow out with blood through the endocervical canal (the canal joining the end of the cervix to the vaginal opening).
Why Do Women Experience Cramps During Implantation and Periods?
Implantation Cramps: This occurrence may occur during the embryo's implantation into the uterine wall for certain women. The cramps result from disrupting the uterus's thick, highly vascularised endometrial lining by the blastocyte as a part of the invasion process. However, these cramps can be so mild that many women can not feel them.
Period Cramps: Many women feel these cramps due to uterine contraction, which results in the shedding of the thick endometrial lining during menstruation. Apart from it, hormonal changes can also cause back pain and may aggravate period cramps during menstruation.
What Is the Difference Between the Timing of Implantation Cramps and Period Cramps?
Implantation Cramps: The embryo implantation occurs around six to ten days after ovulation; hence in a regular 28-day cycle, these cramps may occur one or a few days before the date of menstruation. The implantation cramps may occur with slight blood spotting, which may confuse the women as they may assume these cramps and spotting to be of initiation of menstruation.
Period Cramps: Implantation cramps typically occur briefly, usually lasting for only a day or less.
Period cramps typically occur with period blood flow and may start from the first day of menstruation. Experiencing menstrual cramps throughout their period, which typically lasts for three to four days, is a common occurrence for many women.
What Do Implantation Cramps and Period Cramps Feel Like?
Implantation Cramps: Just like any other pain, these cramps also feel different to every woman, depending on their body. However, many women reported that the implantation cramps felt like a slight twinge in the lower abdomen area, while others said cramping in their back. Moreover, many women reported they felt nothing during their implantation period. In general implantation, cramps are considered very mild in the pelvic region.
Period Cramps: The muscle contractions causing period cramps are sometimes not prominent or may only cause mild discomfort. But they are also many times felt as painful cramps. These period cramps may only affect the lower abdomen, or they may be supposed along with back or leg pain too. It can also occur with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in a few women. While some women also reported headaches or general discomfort. Usually, women who have heavier menstruation blood flow often have more intense painful cramps too.
What Is the Clinical Significance of Implantation Cramps and Period Cramps?
Implantation Cramps: Implantation pain, manifesting a few days before the menstrual cycle, is an early indication of pregnancy. However, the women should wait for missed periods and confirm the pregnancy by taking a home pregnancy test.
Period Cramps: Most women feel period cramps during their menstruation. However, severe period pain can indicate disorders, including non-cancerous growths in the uterus, such as polyps or fibroids, and endometriosis (the tissue of the inner lining of the uterus that is endometrial lining grows elsewhere in the abdomen other than the uterine cavity). In addition, sometimes contraceptive coils such as IUDs (intrauterine devices) can also cause severe painful period cramps.
When to See the Doctor About Implantation Cramps and Period Cramps?
Implantation Cramps: If the women felt cramps with the characteristics mentioned above of the cramps after unprotected sex or probable failure of contraceptives, then first the women should wait for the first reliable sign of the pregnancy, a missed period. After that, the women may take a home pregnancy test, and upon its being positive, they can consult a doctor or directly consult the doctor after missed or delayed periods.
Period Cramps: Women can sometimes use painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen when needed. Nevertheless, frequent utilization of them is not recommended due to the potential long-term negative consequences. Some women may relieve period cramps by applying heat packs or relaxation techniques. However, severe pain with period cramps mandates consultation with the doctor to diagnose and rule out other associated conditions such as endometriosis, polys, or cysts.
Conclusion
Most female experiences stomach and pelvic cramps during their monthly menstrual cycle. At the same time, some women in their early pregnancy may also experience a similar type of cramp that are implantation cramps. The timing of both of these cramps is such that it may confuse the women, especially women who are trying to get pregnant. However, lower abdomen cramps with heavier blood flow that continue for a few days indicate period cramps. Lower abdominal milder cramps without vaginal bleeding or slight spotting indicate implantation cramps.
