Final answer:
Gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently reported to be highest during menses, and brief cramping and bleeding about 3 weeks after the last menstrual period could suggest ovulation or other early pregnancy-related conditions. Mid-cycle pain after unprotected sex raises a valid concern for potential pregnancy due to the timing of ovulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many menstruating women report that gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are highest during menses. These can include cramping, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, and nausea. These symptoms are part of a group of symptoms referred to as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or may also indicate conditions like endometriosis, where pain can be caused by bleeding in the pelvis leading to inflammation.
About 3 weeks after her last menstrual period, a sexually active woman experiencing a brief episode of abdominopelvic cramping and minor bleeding could be undergoing ovulation, which might sometimes cause such symptoms, known as mittelschmerz, or it could be indicative of a very early miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy if she had been pregnant.
In the context of unprotected sexual activity, any mid-cycle pain and concern for potential pregnancy is valid, as ovulation is the time when the female body releases an egg for potential fertilization; hence, unprotected intercourse around this time carries a high risk of pregnancy.