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 please I had my period on the 30th of June, my fertility period was 7th to 14th according to the app of which I had sex all through the days. But around the 10th of July I noticed some drop of blood, with fowl smell that lasted for 3 days. Could it be infection or pregnancy?
Hello Juliet, it could be either, take a pregnancy test 1 week after your missed a period.
10 days ago my period ended and today I started bleeding again. I have not been sexually active in-between those days and its my ovulation day.
Hello Curious, see the following link: https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
Hello. I’m 48. Had a period last month that lasted 8 days. 14 days after finishing I have come on again and am still bleeding 13 days later. Bright red blood when i go to the toilet and wipe. Is this normal symptom of menopause.
Hello Liz, please see your doctor ASAP about this.
Hello. Believe me I’ve tried. First available appointment is 31st July. They arranged to give me a prescription over the phone for norethisterone. 5 days. Think I am now anaemic but again doctor doesn’t seem concerned. Said when bleeding stops they will do swabs for BV.
Okay, all the best.
Hi my name is Vanessa. I usually have irregular periods but these last few months it’s been normal .My husband and i have been trying to concieve for a year but no luck. I started my period June 28 &ended July 3 . I believe im in my ovulation period & my husband finished in me on July 8 and 9 but July 10 i started spotting pink then light brown and its been going on for 3 days now . What does this mean ? & can i still have the chance of being pregnant?
Hi there Vanessa, this does not necessarily mean that you are pregnant. However if you have a missed period please take a pregnancy test 1 week after.
I had my period. 6/22 and it is always on time so now I have this pinkish spotting just when I wipe this cant possibly be ovulation spotting its too much any thoughts?
Hi there Idaza, if you miss your period then take a pregnancy test a week after. All the best.
hi there! I had my period on the 30th of May till the 3rd of June, I had sex on the 4th of june and was expecting my period on the 27th of June, but I bled slightly for 2 days on the 11th of June two weeks before my normal cycle ended( ovulation day). I had a morning after pill on the 5th of June, I still haven’t seen my period till now. Could that bleeding be the effects of the morning after pill?
Hello there Loey, yes, many women have reported bleeding and delayed period after taking the morning after pill.
Hello. I had my period June 21st through 25. My app says I’m fertile July 7th thru 13th with the 12th being ovulation. I had sex July 2nd, 8th, and 11th. At 3:30-4am on July 12th, I experienced mild cramping (not on a particular side, more like a all over-middle lower abdominal dull menstrual cramping feeling) and had blood run down my legs when i got up to go to the bathroom. The blood was thin red orange and not heavy (have a pad on now and there is only a spot of blood on it). The cramping persists but not painful (its 6am now; same day). Should i be concerned?
Hi there Sammie, if this abnormal bleeding persists over 2 days then please see your doctor.
Hi, my period get to last for 3 days. The question is that how do I know when I start ovulating after my period, so I can indulge in love making with my partner? Because my fiance and I want to make a baby as soon as possible.
Hi there Edith, I hope the following calculator from this link will help you. https://womanjunction.com
Hello, My last cycle started on June 9th, since then I’ve had intercourse June 16th, June 23rd, and Yesterday (July 8th)… My question really is do you think it’s too early to take a pt and of so how long should I wait?
Hi there Sidney, pregnancy test can be taken a week after a missed period.
Hi, I had period on 25th may and then bled for 3 days during ovulation. I still didn’t get my period. I did the pregnancy test it was negative.
Hello there Rani, please redo pregnancy test in 3 days.
Hi. My period came June 15th lasted about 4-5 days. I tracked my ovulation with the First Response ovulation kit. I began to ovulate on June 30th. My fiancé and I began to have sex on that day and July 1st. After we had sex that night of July 1st; I woke up this morning Sunday July 2nd cramping on my left side and bleeding heavy then it lighten also with mucus like clots. I tested ovulation and Im still ovulating. I also read online this is called “Implantation” but its freaking me out. I just want someone to respond to me I guess instead of reading all these articles. Please help! Thank You
Hi there Lexie, yes this could be an implantation sign. Check for pregnancy after a missed period.
Will do. But i left ER 3 days ago and they found an ovarian cyst. I began more heavy bleeding and clotting. Figured this wasn’t the norms of implantation. Thanks for your response.
Hi. My fiancé and I are trying to have a baby. My period was June 14th to the 19th then July 2nd I had light pink bleeding. We have had unprotected sex almost every day trying to make this happen. Should I take a pregnancy test or wait?
Hi there K, use the following link to help you: https://womanjunction.com
Hi I had my period, June 16th/17th
And now yesterday ( 29th June) I started bleeding a light pink which then turned to brown blood its light with no pain
I am sexually active and have had the same partner for 11 months but haven’t been sexually active for about a month or 2
Could this be ovulation?
I recently turn 20 years old
Hi there Louise, yes this could be a sign of ovulation.
I know this is much to ask but can you tell me why my girlfriend seems to have this “spotting” on her ovulation time? Here are the information:
Last Period: June 1, 2017 to June 7, 2017
Ovulation period: June 11, 2017 to June 17, 2017
Ovulation day: June 16, 2017
Expected day for her period to come: June 30, 2017
We had an unprotected intercourse last June 12, 2017 and it was only 2 minutes I didn’t finished inside of her.. So why is she bleeding?
Hi there Edward, this is a common thing for many women to spot during ovulation.
Hi my name is Terri I am trying for a baby but I am a little concerned. My ovulation day was on the 12th of June but I have been spotting since the 11th and still am so for 5 days now it started light pink and now it’s more brownish could I still have a chance of being pregnant. My next period is on the 25th June. Many thanks
Hello Terri, yes pregnancy should still be possible. Some women do spot during ovulation as well.
Hi I started my period in the 25th/ 26th may and had unprotected sex in the 28th may during my cycle .
I started having mild cramps , bloating and mild very light spotting with mucus 13 days later and is been doing it for around 3 Days not all the time only sometimes when I wipe.
Is this ovulation or pregnancy ? Or cervical cancer ?
My husband also had a vasectomy in February this year and were awaiting results to see if his sperm is clear .
Thanks
Hi there Helen, please take a pregnancy test in 7 days to see if you might be pregnant. If you are not and these symptoms persist then see your doctor. Take care.