Ovulation bleeding or ovulation spotting is a common monthly occurrence for many women.
There are some who have never experienced it, or only experienced it after changing birth control, but you should know that it is normal, regardless if you have the spotting or not.
Some who experience ovulation bleeding monthly use it as a reasonably reliable way to determine ovulation so they can use this sign to either avoid getting pregnant or to conceive instead.
What Causes Ovulation Bleeding
Photo: Pixabay
If the egg is fertilized, you will get pregnant, if not, then you will get your period roughly two weeks later (that’s why women talk about the “TWW” or two-week wait while trying to conceive because that’s the timeframe we have to wait before determining if implantation was successful).
During ovulatory phase of menstrual cycle, the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes release of egg. The cervical mucus changes from watery to egg-white in consistency indicating the release of egg from ovary. [2].
For some, the release of the egg may cause some pain and cramps and also bleeding.
The cause of the bleeding/spotting is generally related to the sharp drop in estrogen aver ovulation before the levels of progesterone have risen [3].
But this isn’t something that has been studied regularly and researchers are still figuring out the cause of spotting.
According to one study, only 3 percent of women actually experience ovulation bleeding [4].
What Does Ovulation Bleeding Look Like
There are plenty of differences between ovulation bleeding and menstrual bleeding.
Generally, when it comes to ovulation bleeding it’s far lighter than a period and is generally light pink or brownish red [5].
For some, they also experience mild cramping as well (not unlike a period but a lot lighter and shorter in duration).
It may be mixed with cervical mucus and may be accompanied by mild pain in the stomach or some cramping that resembles menstrual cramping. Not all bleeding can be regarded as ovulation spotting.
If you notice heavy bleeding that lasts for days and looks like you are menstruating, consult a doctor immediately.
How Long Does Ovulation Bleeding Last?
Ovulation bleeding doesn’t usually last long. The average time frame is one to three days [6].
So if you have experienced spotting for a longer period of time, this is something you’ll want to be seen by a doctor because it can be a sign of something more serious or an underlying problem.
When it comes to the timeframe as to when you might see ovulation bleeding, it would happen around 14 days prior to your next period (or anywhere from 11-21 days from the first day of your last period [7]).
If it were implantation bleeding it would only happen about a day or two prior to your period [8] (which is why it’s sometimes confused for a period instead).
Ovulation Bleeding As a Birth Control Method
Those who experience ovulation bleeding in the middle of each cycle, can use this to help them either prevent or get pregnant.
Ovulation bleeding indicates that the egg has been released and is available for fertilization by sperm. So, if you are trying to get pregnant, it’s the perfect time to try.
In that same sense, if you are trying to avoid the pregnancy, you can use the same method.
But again, this is not a 100% sure way to avoid pregnancy and additional methods should be used if you are really trying to avoid starting or growing your family.
In addition to monitoring ovulation with spotting, there are a lot of people who use this in conjunction with measuring their basal body temperature in order to determine exactly when they are ovulating.
This is considered natural family planning and when done right can be extremely reliable; however, the failure rate of this method is high.
Other Signs of Ovulation
While ovulation bleeding is an amazing tool to either prevent or attempt to get pregnant there are also a few other ways to help determine that you are ovulating.
Other signs that indicate ovulation include changes in the cervical fluid, changes in the basal body temperature, increased sex drive, increased breast tenderness, and heightened senses as well [9].
Final Thoughts
Ovulation bleeding can be a way to tell when you are ovulating and when you are most fertile. If you are having regular bleeding or unusually painful cramps, that’s something that you want to discuss with your doctor to make sure there are no additional underlying conditions.
Again, it can be completely normal (I am one of the 3 percent that have ovulation bleeding) and your body’s way of telling you the perfect time to have intercourse. It also could be something you want to look into further at least once just to be sure.
References
- Clar McWeeney via Clue. Ovulation bleeding: What it is, and How to Know If You’re Experiencing It. [link]
- See above #1
- See above #1
- Menstrual Bleeding Patterns Among Regularly Menstruating Women [link]
- Anisha Nair via Parenting First Cry. Bleeding During Ovulation: Causes and Things to Know. [link]
- See above #5
- See above #4
- See above #5
- See above #4
Hello I need an answer to this. I was supposed to start my periods on the 08/06/16 instead I had this brown spotting mixed with creamy cm for three days. I did a pregnancy test and it was negative .I also had egg white cm a day before my period were due.
Hi Pam, since the test was negative you should either take a pregnancy test of another brand for confirmation or another reason for your missed period could be because of stress or hormonal changes
Hey,
I’m kind of stressing out, I had sex with my boyfriend on the 21st of May. I was spotting two days later, it was dark brown for two days. The day i started bleeding is also the day I ovulated. I took a week later two pregnancy tests and both were negative. I am now 1 day late for my period. What does it mean?
Please reply as soon as possible and thank you!
Hi tara, you could be late because of stress also. take a pregnancy test 10 days ater your missed period date to be sure.
Hi, I had my 3rd miscarriage last Oct.13 I bleed for 7 days after. Two weeks later I bleed for 25 days..Had a normal period in Dec. and Jan. which lasted 3 days.. No period in Feb. Had sex with my bf in March 1,3,4,5..ovulation week March 7,8,10(day before ovulation) 12 after ovulation and the 14-20…Started bleeding lightly like pinkish red with egg like discharge on March 25-27 with pains on my left side..Then on March 28-30 it got heavy with a pad a day…Missed my period April and May now it’s June 2 day before my ovulation, the 3-7 I had light reddish brown bleeding with a day of cramps after I use the bathroom.. Can something be wrong?
Hello May, bleeding can sometimes be sign of pregnancy. You should take a pregnancy test to confirm.
Hi… I am reha & I am 29 years & my husband was 33 years. We never used pills. We used condoms only. We are planning for kids from past 6 months. We visited doctor for regular check ups but reports says everything was normal. I used to have 26 to 28 days cycle every month. On may 12th my menstrual cycle started & ended on may 15th. I had spotting in red colour on may 24th, 25th, 26th till 29th while urinating. On may 30th night heavy spotting. Can you please tell me what may be the reason for this continue spotting from 13th day of my cycle..
Hi Reha, what you are experiencing is called as ovulation bleeding.It is actually considered as a sign of fertility.Basically, ovulation spotting is usually a natural occurrence, which reveals fertility.
Hi.. My and my boyfriend was fooling around.. he was rubbing his penis around my vagina, at some point it touches the opening too.. And then I ended up giving him a handjob, he cum right on my hand. I was putting my legs accross from his legs during that time and it was about 3-5 inches away from where he cum. We grabbed a alcohol wipe and wiped off the cum right away and wiped it off with normal napkin paper later. I also noticed that my vagina is close to it, I got a little scared so I also took the alcohol and wiped my vagina then wiped it again with napkin afterwards. It is my very first time doing something like this and I’m scared. I’m not sure if I could get pregant. I’ve been very stressed out lately. The date we did that was on May 15, a day after my period was over. I’ve been very stressed out and scared. I believe my period started on May 7th so I guess ovulation is starting May 21? i’ve had bloating and plotting, light one sice cramp, and somehow constipation on May 21. today (May 22nd) I notcied a little plotting, still a little of constipation Am I pregnant? Or is it just normal ovulation sign? I’m feeling somehow lightheaded and dizzy today as well. I dont know if this is from my anxiety and stress or what. i couldn’t help myself with the stress I’m dealing with. I’m also taking coughing syrup the night before because I’m sick. I usually don’t pay attention much to ovulation and such.. I know from previous experience, I’ve also noticed some plotting like this before. Please help me. Is this all because I’m stressed out or am I pregnant 🙁 I took 2 pregnancy tests yesterdaya nd today and its negative but its just a week after we did that.. so i dont think its accurate. I used First Respond. Sorry if this js so complicated but I’m scared, my family would kill me if I’m pregnant
Hello Toni, Please dont be stressed and be relaxed a bit girl. The symptoms you are having could also be just because of stress. You have already taken pregnancy test which are negative and if you still have a doubt please visit a doctor.
I am 29yr old n my husband is 28yr old.we got married 3 yrs before.we were having protected sex using condom for last 3 yrs.now we are planning for baby.so trying from last 4 months.i had period on 28th of april n we had sex on 5th may n 6th may at that time no spotting.but when we again had sex on 8th may i experiened bleeding after sex while urinating.it was not dark red but brownish n not much also.it had happened last month also.not every time after sex but once or twice last month.i had papsmere test last month which was clean.also doctor has gvn me tablets for vaginal insertion if there is infection. then y it is bleeding i m little bit worried.can u pls tell wat may b the reason.i had never used any pills for planning.
Hello Jennyfer, Hope you are doing good. Well bleeding after sex could be because of many reasons like:
a) Abnormal growths on the cervix or in the uterus
b) Infection or inflammation of the vagina, uterus or cervix
c) Trauma to the vagina or cervix
It is good that you have already consulted a doctor. If you face further instances of bleeding do inform your doctor. Stay healthy!
Hi…pls i need an answer to this..i had unprotected sex with my boyfriend a day before my period and on the last day of my period..two days later i noticed some light blood stains on my panties and i’ve been bleeding lightly especially when i pee….few days later, i had unprotected sex again and the light bleeding hasn’t stopped..could that b pregnancy?
Hello Gbemi, Bleeding after sex does not mean pregnancy. It is quite normal for some women to bleed after sex. However if your bleeding hasn’t stopped for some time now you should definitely go consult a doctor.
My last period was on April 19, 2016 ..
but today May 02, 2016 , i saw brownish thing on my underwear.
I’m worrying, what just happened to me.? Can anyone help me? Thank you
Hi could someone help me please I’m 36 I’ve got 4 healthy children and have never experienced spotting my last menstrual period was the 25th March 16 it was my usual 28 day cycle then on the 9th April 16 I had unprotected sex thought nothing of it then 5 days later I started spotting on the 15th April stopped altogether on the 22nd April it was on and off for these days wasn’t my usual type of period I had cramping which I never get I was due on the 22nd April and I’m 6 days late. have had 2 negative results I’m confused if I am or not. had anyone else experienced this? getting all the early pregnancy signs
Got my period March 25th and it never left, it got lighter though. It is brown,red,and pink. My doctor says it’s ovulatory bleeding. I’m so confused, because he offered progesterone to stop it. Help, what’s the right thing to do?
I am 38 year old and unmarried. Recently I started to notice spotting in the middle of my menstrual cycle. I went to the doctor and had an ultrasound scanning. The result showed that everything was fine. My concern is that I never experienced spotting throughout my life and this is the first time. It has been four months continuously since I noticed this problem. I am quite worry as I never happened to me before. Is it still to be considered as normal ovulation bleeding?
It would be best if you got a second opinion from another doctor. This is not a normal occurrence.
Thank you for your reply. I went to the second doctor and got my uterus scanned again, The result was still the same, nothing was found in my uterus. Should I get further scanning or just leave it?
The doctors have given you a clean bill of health so leave it. Ensure that you’re not stressed and see if the symptoms will go away.
Thank you so much for your advice. Have a good day!
My regular periods are the 13th and 14th every month.. Suddenly I started having brown and dark red blood in between periods starting 2/29/16 after already having a period 2/14/16.. I had another regular period of 2/29 which was 3/13/16 now I’m having another in between period/blood since 3/28. Which is my ovulating dates. I have had unprotected sex with my boyfriend 3 times since 3/28. Do you think I could be pregnant or something else wrong? Last month I visited my ob and she said I have no diseases/ STD’s and I wasn’t pregnant then. Could I be pregnant now?
Kylie, this dark and red blood is a lot like a period or just small amounts of discharge? If it’s just small discharge, then it is normal. It is just old blood that’s been hanging around in the uterus.
Are you experiencing any other symptoms such as unusually frequent urination, burning during urination, itching or foul smelling discharge?
My boyfriend and I have been having unprotected sex since my last period. (2 weeks ago) I usually spot on my ovulation day every month, this month I have yet to have any spotting could this be a sign of me being pregnant? I’m super anxious, I hate that I have to wait to see if I have a missed period or not!
Hi Crystal, there may be many reasons for not seeing the spot. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you are pregnant. I’m sorry but you will have to wait until your period date to know more.
Hi Guys…
I had my period on feb 11-16.
Had sex on feb 21st.
Had spotting from March 1st that lasted 8 days.
Any ideas y dat is…
Amy, was that unprotected sex?
yes it was…
Okay, In that case, if you have not got your proper period by now, please take a pregnancy test.
I did take it twice
It’s negative.
Hope someone can help this is the situation me and boyfriend been having a lot of sex.my ovulation date was the 27th of feb but when we got done having sex i noticed i was bleeding i bleed for three days and was suppose to have my period till march 12. any idea what this could be?
Hi Tiffany, there may be various reasons for bleeding immediately after sex. It may be due to breaking of a blood vessel in the cervix, usage of contraceptive pills or any kind of infection. It is definitely not a good symptom and can be a serious issue, so please contact a gynecologist.
Hey there .. I have a good question to ask I was on a injection once in my life only had one shot got off it because my body was rejecting it .. How ever me and my husband trying to get pregnant. So I was bleeding abit during periods and I’m one month off that injection.so after I was bleeding i had this clear white stuff coming out and I was also spotting but my hormones were very hyped and I was very hormonal and I couldn’t stay away from my husband .. And we had sex and ejaculated … So uhm what I wanna know is have I conceived or can I? I also had problems. Trying to know when I ovulated because sometimes my period comes early or late and usually use to bleed for 6 days ?