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
I had a mymomectomy in sept with bleeding lasting a week and a half (no AF since). Had relations with my boyfriend on the 28 oct and 11 nov. I was really horny on those days, and from what I read I could have ovulated on those days. I noticed today when wiping a pinkish color. No cramps, no AF in sight. Is there a chance I could be pregnant?
Hello Cymone, please take a pregnancy 7 days after your missed period to determine if you might be pregnant.
I usually get ovulation spotting
I had sex 2 days ofter spotting and took pregnant prevention pills called pestonal 2 still am missing my periods. Could i be pregnant?
Hello Roselyn, take a pregnancy test 7 days after your missed period.
Hi, so I had my period on October 19, 2017, ended on the third day and had unprotected sex on the 29th of October and again on the second of November. I also had light spotting after sex on November 7th. Could I be pregnant? How soon should I take a test? thank you
Hi there Tiffany, take a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period to determine if you might be pregnant.
I started spotting 6 days after my period and it lasted for 2 days. It was light and small amounts and it was on and off could that be implantation bleeding?
Hi Mia, read the below link: https://womanjunction.com/implantation-bleeding-period-recognize/
Hello dear,
I had sex with my husband on 12th-18th September 2017. My LMP was on 25th September 2017. After that , me and my husband did not have sex until today. On 28th October, I only had dark stain, no blood at all for 3 days. Can I possibly pregnant?
Hi Fariza, you will not know for sure until you have taken a pregnancy test, take a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period to determine if you might be pregnant.
So I had my last period two weeks ago… I had sex two days ago ,(off the pill for a week) and now I’m spotting… which I never do in between cycles..According to my calendar I am ovulating this week… Could there be a chance that it is implantation bleeding? Could I be pregnant?
Hello Erica, take a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period to determine if you might be pregnant.
I missed my period the month of September. I usually get it between the 23-26.. I did not get a period but on October 4, it came! Fast forward to October 23 I started spotting for about a day and a half! And now my period is late but only by 3 days according to my menstrual calendar.. should I be worried about pregnancy?
Hello Hillary, if this happens up to 7 days please take a pregnancy test to confirm that you might be pregnant.
Hi I did my abortion on 11 October 2017, when should I expect my period & is it advisable to have sex at this stage if yes are there any chances of complications. Regards
Hello Luckie, periods can begin anywhere between 3-8 weeks. Please see link below re more information on this: https://womanjunction.com/menstrual-cycle-abortion/
i had my periods on 5th to 8th oct and had sex from the 8th to 19th and 23 to 24 is there any chance of me being pregnant
Hello Og, yes you might have conceived.
2 days after my period ended I started getting cramping in my lower abdomen that I assumed was a UTI so I went to the doctor the next day. No infection but they did find blood in my urine, couldn’t tell me why. Since the cramping continued I was given an ultrasound a week later which showed nothing. I had also started spotting the day before which never happens to me. The doctor said it’s from ovulating, given the time of my cycle, but I’ve had trace amounts of blood in my urine since that first doctors visit and the cramping since then too. It’s now been 4 days since I’ve been able to see the spotting and I still have stabbing pain off and on in my pelvic area. Do you think my doctors right and I’m just ovulating? This is so unusual for me, and with a clear ultrasound I don’t know what to think.
Hello Meredith, if this persists please seek a second opinion.
I had my period on 19th September 2017, on the 9th October, I saw drops of blood, I guess it’s implantation bleeding, now I am experiencing all the pregnancy signs…am I pregnant?
Hi there Sarah, please take a pregnancy test 7 days after missed period to determine this.
I ve done test @ the modern labs , two different places. The test read negative, I did the test ten days after missed period
I’m 36 weeks pregnant today. October 16. My cycle is usally 28 days. When did I possibly get pregnant
Hello Booboo2215, use the below link to determine this: https://womanjunction.com/conception-calculator-find-your-conception-date/
I am on birth control the one that is implanted in your arm . I have had it since April of this year. I have been spotting in these days with cramps that would be my ovulation day, is it possible to be pregnant?
Hello Sandra, once you are using some form of contraceptive then you are protected against pregnancy.
I miscarried 3 weeks ago, bleeding stopped fairly soon after I’d say stopped on the 30th September, I had discharge and slight spotting on the 8th… i never normally get spotting, I’m just wondering if I could be pregnant again so soon after the miscarriage, it was a natural miscarriage and didn’t require any help, my mood is extremely low at the minute but I’m wondering if this is caused by my hormones… very confusing time not knowing what’s happening with my body
Hello Laura, please take a PT to confirm this.
Hi i got pregnant a week after my miscarriage now have twin girls
I am 41 I had three pregnancy i had my period for 7 days then I started spoting two days after my period and my brest are bigger and sore i am so worried cause my last three pregnancy i never had these problems i am so worried
Hi there Eless, if you think you might be pregnant take a PT 7 days after missed period.
Hello,
I seem to get spotting every month a week before my period, so what happens is the spotting will continue until I get my period. Is this considered ovulation bleeding? Ever since I started getting my period I would have bleeding every two weeks so I went on the pill for a number of years, I haven’t been on the pill for two years, I have been trying to fall pregnant for 6 months. Any advice would be great!
Hello Joanne, if it takes place around the time you ovulate then yes this might be ovulation bleeding. Use the below link to help you calculate your most fertile days for pregnancy.