Bleeding in Early Pregnancy: Infections
Spotting (very light bleeding) can also be caused by conditions unrelated to pregnancy. A vaginal infection, such as a
yeast infection or
bacterial vaginosis, or a sexually transmitted disease (such as
trichomoniasis,
gonorrhea,
chlamydia, or herpes) can cause your cervix to become irritated or inflamed. An inflamed cervix is particularly susceptible to spotting after sex or after a Pap smear. You may also spot or bleed after sex or a Pap smear if you have a cervical polyp (a benign growth).
Bleeding in Early Pregnancy: Ectopic Pregnancy
Vaginal spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic means "out of place." In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg has implanted outside the uterus
(see Ectopic Pregnancy).
In over 95 percent of ectopic pregnancies, the egg settles in the fallopian tubes. This is why ectopic pregnancies are commonly called "tubal pregnancies." The egg can also implant in the ovary, abdomen, or the cervix, so you may see these referred to as cervical or abdominal pregnancies.
Pain is usually the first major sign of an ectopic pregnancy. A woman might feel pain in her pelvis, abdomen, or even the shoulder or neck (if blood from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy builds up and irritates certain nerves). Most women describe the pain as sharp and stabbing.
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