Q: Hello doc I have diarrhea together with period cramps but I’m not on my period so today I’m bleeding dark red blood with small clots can it be that I’m pregnant

A: Hello dear, thank you for reaching out
Let’s take a few steps back to answer this question…

During every menstrual cycle, the womb prepares itself to receive a pregnancy. When pregnancy does not happen, the thickened lining of the womb is shed as menstrual blood.
Normally, menstrual blood does not clot because the body releases natural substances that keep it flowing smoothly. However, when the bleeding is heavier or flowing faster than usual, small clots can appear especially on the heaviest day. This can happen even in healthy women and does not automatically mean something is wrong.
Dark red blood with small clots can therefore still be menstrual blood, even if the timing feels unusual.

About the diarrhea and cramps
Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and even vomiting can occur around the time of menstruation. This is due to a hormone called prostaglandin, which causes the womb to contract but can also affect the stomach and intestines.
So yes – cramps and diarrhea can happen even before or at the very start of bleeding.

Could this be pregnancy?
Early pregnancy bleeding can happen, but it is usually:
• Light spotting, not heavy flow
• Often without clots
Bleeding with clots is more commonly menstrual, though an early miscarriage can also present this way.
Because of that, pregnancy cannot be ruled out completely without a test.
I hope this helps 🙂