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
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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
Hi, i need your advise, my last period ended on 1st December, and i had sex with my bf on 5th December, then few days later (9th December) i was bleeding, seems spotting and it’s still on-going (Today is the third day of bleeding). Am i having implantation bleeding or ovulation bleeding? Is that a sign of pregnancy?
Please help..
Hi there Swan! Please refer to this article for information. Regards
Is it possible to get implantation bleeding when you’re supposed to be ovulating? How long would it take after the egg is fertilized for the implantation bleeding to start?
Do you ovulate the same day you experience ovulation bleeding? Because I have been having pinkish/orange like spots during ovulation time.i just want to know if you ovulate the same day you get the spotting
I am so happy for this piece of information. I noticed slight bleeding for 3 days during my ovulation period last month and this month and i have started to develop fear that some thing is wrong with me. Though me and my husband have been trying to have a baby for a while now. So this is a sign that I’m ovulating. Thanks for this article
Hi, Glad to hear that It helped you.
The past few months I have noticed that on the day my Flo app says I’m ovulating I have a very light pink trace of blood when I urinate, as well as, clear discharge a few days leading up to and during this. I have lookied on-line and seen that this is a completely normal event. It usually lasts a day with the blood, but the discharge continues for a few days. I was happy to find out it is a good indication of ovulation since my husband and I are trying to get pregnant. It didn’t happen last month when we had sex on my ovulation day, but I’m hopeful for this month. Thank you for the article!
Really happy to hear that. Have a nice day!
I spotted for about five days a week after my period was due. I took a pregnancy test and a negative. Now today (10 days later) I am spotting again and it doesn’t seem like it is going to be my full af. Has anyone had anything similar or any advice?
Hi Hal, you might have taken the test too early and the spotting you are having might be the implantation bleeding. For further confirmation, you should visit a doctor. Regards
I had my period sept 1-4 today is the 14th and i had spotting yesterday and today is it to early for implantation bleeding if that is it?
Hi Janae Miller, first calculate your fertile days here http://womanjunction.com/ and if you had sex on those days you might be pregnant now. You should take a pregnancy test. If you are pregnant then the spotting you are having might be because of implantation bleeding. Regards
I have a 28 days period cycle that is as regular as taxes I bleed for only one day of my period ,I ovulate from the 20 to 25 of July , I had unprotected sex on the 17 & 22 of August. My period as never been late nor early from I started my cycle at age 12 however my period came two days early in September could I be pregnant ?????
Hey i start spotting 3 days ago pink/ brownish discharge not heavy at all, but woke up this morning to heavier bleeding and a little cramping not bad….Had my last period on Aug. 16, had intercourse on Sept 2 i dont know whats going on can some one help plz.
Rose- please help i had my period on the 27th of august to the 31st…and 5 days after that i had brown discharge, and now its turned into bright blood and i have still got it…i tested postive for ovulation but when will this bleeding stop…
Hi Rose, ovulation bleeding can be continued for 3 to 4 days. Regards
I need advice on mine, my period isn’t til 16 days from now, I’m spotting lightly, with mild cramps. My period is irregular, been trying to find a way to know what’s going on, I still haven’t. I had sex on my first ovulation day and I don’t know what to expect.
Hi Demi, the spotting and mild cramps you are having might be because of implantation bleeding. It usually occurs after two three weeks of pregnancy. Regards
Should I take a pregnancy test in the morning? Nervous ……. Too nervous …????
Hi Demi, yes you should take a pregnancy test now. Don’t be nervous, everything will be good. Regards
Hey, I had my period on August 9th and then I had sex a day before ovulation, its been over a week and I’ve been spotting for 3 days really light and kinda pink could this be implantation?
Hi Kelly, yes it can be implantation bleeding. Regards
Thank you
Hi,
I have got 31 days cycle and my last period date was 12th August. Myself and my husband are trying for a baby and my period is due on 12th Sep.But I got a light spotting on 5th,then light bleeding on 6th night and till now and the color is very dark,no clots or lumps like it happens during periods. What is it all about,if its Implantation bleeding can I take a home pregnancy test tomorrow?
Hi Didu, yes, it might be implantation bleeding because implantation bleeding usually occurs some days before the next period date. And there is light bleeding or spotting for two to three days. Regards
Hi, please somebody help me I had period on 23 of august though it was light and I had sex with my husband 3rd. 4th and 5th. And I had sex last night again only to weak up this morning with spotting that looks like my period is coming and am having waist cramps too. Same thing happened last time too I saw my preiod on the 7th-10th of July and on 24th – 27th of July I saw my preiod again. Pls what is happening I and my husband having been trying to conceive.
August 1st I still don’t normally like 5 days then I went off I have a spotting around like the 17th or 18th and it was only for that day then I turned around and came back on on the 27th not pregnant
Hi, i been having unprotected sex with my partner almost every day , i had my period on July 2, but i’m irregular. August 21,22, & 23 i was light spotting on and off and today the 24th Is brighter red blood but now i’vee been bleeding the whole day but not heavy bleeding. It’s the first time that this happens to me.What might be the cause ?
Hi, I got my period on the 30th of July, but today that is the 23rd of August, I had stomach cramps and leg pains, but there is hardly any blood, a light or dark brown colour only when I wipe it.. I was sexually active on the 18th of July but we did not have sex, though I am a little worried now that his fingers might have had some cum before fingering me though he assured me that he didn’t. I’m really stressed about this. Please help!