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’m 23 year old…we are planning to have a baby.I got my periods on Dec 15 …now I am in mid-cycle…but unfortunately I got some bleeding Dec 30th yesterday like pink color and that day night we planned baby also….Right now I still have the brownish pink discharge….and I don’t have any stomach pain but yesterday I had heavy headaches…..this first time experience …I am in a very confused state…is this ovulation or implantation bleeding or something else I don’t Know…….please clarify for me in this regard….would much appreciate your help in this.
Hello Roji, is this something normally experienced with ovulation? Bleeding that is. Bleeding between periods could mean many things. Please see link below to read more about this: https://womanjunction.com/spotting-between-periods/
Can implantation bleeding happen two weeks before your period?
I noticed last tuesday (dec.26) dark brownish or dark red discharge on my panties (somewhat seemed like start of menstruation) I thought it was menstruation but then I remembered that my expected period is still in 2weeks time. So I just placed a pad instead and I noticed brown discharge afterwards throughout the day (like light period but lesser. It’s more than just spotting too). The next day (dec.27) still I have brown discharge but then in the middle of the day, a lot of dark red blood clot (big clots) came out of me but it didn’t last long (like it lasted for a while only but it was a lot) The next day I still have the brownish red discharge and then I again noticed a lot of blood coming which looked like a start of a period again (it has few clots) but it didn’t last long too and stopped. The next day (dec.28) I had light bleeding like light period and the color and consistency is very much like period as well. Today (dec.29) still I am having light bleeding like light period.
My last Menstruation was at Dec.11 and my expected period is at Jan.8
Please help it’s my first time experiencing this😢 Thank you in advance 😊
Hello Ange, take a pregnancy test 7 days post if you have a missed period. All the best.
I had sex on the 18th and I woke up on the 22nd to what I thought was my cycle, it was very light and pink in color. I realize it’s still 2 weeks before my actual cycle supposed to start. The lightNess lasted for 2days,but have been spotting almost every day since.could I be pregnant or was it a sign of ovulation.? My boyfriend and I have been having sex on and off since the 18th. .
Hello Dionne, read the below link on what spotting in between periods could mean: https://womanjunction.com/spotting-between-periods/
Please help
I noticed yesterday (dec.26) dark brownish or dark red discharge on my panties (somewhat seemed like start of menstruation) I thought it was menstruation but then I remember that my expected mens is still in 2weeks time. So I just placed a pad instead and I noticed brown discharge afterwards throughout the day. The next day (dec.27) still I have brown discharge but then in the middle of the day, a lot of dark red blood clot came out of me but it didn’t last long (like it lasted for a while only but it was a lot) Right now I still have the brownish red discharge. Please help it’s my first time experiencing this 😢
Hi there Gexla, this can happy for a variety of reasons. You did not mention if you were on birth control or if there has been any lifestyle change that may have happened that could have possibly caused this change. Reasons for something like this happening include: having a miscarriage, an early period, early pregnancy, etc.
No I am no in any birth control. I am having light cramps and the discharge is dark brown and it looks like something you get after you have your period. (It’s quite a lot more than spotting or drops of blood) my next period is still expected on Jan. 8 and my last period was on Dec. 11. I’m really confused 😢
I had a pap smear on the 15 start spotting on the 17 start bleeding but lightly then I stop on the 19 then start back spotting on the 20 now I just had unprotected sex on the 22 start seeing blood when I wipe but my period wasn’t supposed to come until the 23
Hello Tanisha, please read the link below as to why women spot in between periods: https://womanjunction.com/spotting-between-periods/
I need help ! I had an abortion September 30th 2017 and I recently started my period again November 25 but two days before I had brownish discharge and I knew it was my period. My period is usually 5 days. I had a normal period. but on December 8th I started bleeding again, today is the 22nd so it’s been two weeks now. My doctor appointment is on January 8th but I have no patience. Please help ? I’m really scared.
Hello Amber, this could be happening for quite a number of reasons, the link below provides a number of reasons for spotting in between periods: https://womanjunction.com/spotting-between-periods/
So on the 25 of November I started bleeding it was pink and I thought I had started my period. But it was light spotting. And then the next day I had a little brown spot and then nothing. I thought it might have been implantation bleeding so I took a test on December 5 and it was negative but today my boobs started hurting really bad and I was peeing like crazy could it have been ovulation bleeding I had sex on the 25 and 26
Hello Kylie, the best way to know if you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period.
I don’t have regular periods my last one was in aug. I have pcos
Good afternoon. please I saw my period on 9 of Nov. 2017 it lasted for 5 days not heavy flow. On the 28th of Dec I went to urinate and release I had a blood stain reddish in colour. when I put on pad I don’t see anything but when I wipe with tissue I see brownish blood stain which drops once a day in the morning or when am busy with work for 10 days.. please what might be the cause?. thank you
Hello Chinwendu, please read the following link to advise you on this: https://womanjunction.com/spotting-between-periods/
Hi, on 12th Nov I had unprotected sex and on 13th used emergency pills. I got my periods on 20th and ended on 24th. My cycle is 24days and my ovulation was on the 30th of Nov. However, the next day which is 1st Dec I started bleeding again, not spotting, it’s like normal period. On 20th, I got back to my normal pills, daily ones but stopped taking them on 25th Nov, a day after my periods. Could I be pregnant?
Hello Sam, the best way to determine this is by taking a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period. All the best.
I need an answer please???
I left birth control pills some time in October. Had unprotected sex the 21st and then had my normal period the next day, well thats what I assume it was. I bleed for about 5 days ! The following week, the 29th, I had uprotected sex again, but started taking pregnacare before conception the 28th as I am trying for a baby. About a week later, I start cramping, every day ! And only bleed a week after, my period came a tad bit earlier. I assume it was normal as well because that lasted about 2 and a half days. A week ago (two weeks after my period) I start cramping again, and then notice a greyish/brownish discharge on my undies. The next day I saw that its a very dark brown discharge, accompanied by like water I dont know what to call it? This brown discharge has been going on since last week Tuesday. Could it be that I stopped taking birth control or is there a possibility that I might be pregnant? Please help
Hello Shuuum, this could be your body trying to re-adjust given the change in the taking of your birth control.
Hi
I’ve had a small amount of pinkish brownish mucus when I wiped 6 days before my period was due. However, on the 5-4th day before my period; there’s no signs of any spotting or bleeding…
Right now I am 4 days before my period and I’m not experiencing any spotting or bleeding.
What could be the issue there??
Hello Rosie, if you think there is any chance of pregnancy please take a pregnancy test to confirm.
NEED ANSWERS PLEASE
I got off my period October 31st and had sex that night and I had sex in the 2nd of November I ovulated on the 6th of nov. 2 days later I had heavy bleeding for 2 or 3 days like period
My period was suppose to come November 20th the 20th i had light pink when I wiped my self but not enough that i needed it a pad cause as soon as I wiped it was done
Next day brown redish was done after 1 wipe
The third day bright red a lil bit more on tissue so I put a tampon kept that tampon on for 5 hours and it was covered in a little bit of bright red blood but it was gone I didn’t need to put another tampon on and now it’s nov.25th and still didn’t get my period
Hello Tishhh, please take a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period to determine if you might be pregnant.
45 days later and I don’t have my periods however when I go to pee there’s enough blood like I am having my menses. I’ve been in a pad the whole day and its clean, what does it mean?
Hello Lee, please see your doctor about this asap.
Hi im 47 years old and had my periods 2weeks ago but it never completely stopped i get pinkish brownish its not only when i wipe its on my panties as well my period was very heavy i though I might have miscarried.. not sure though.. my period before this one was just very light and mostly brown the one before that was light and mixed with alot of mucus and the color was light pink
Hello Essra, if this is abnormal for you at this age please consult your doctor.
So November 3-6, my husband and I had sex. The 6th was my ovulation day but i started bleeding after. I bled from november 7-8, so we didnt have sex. On those two days I took my birthcontrol pills. Then we had sex from the 9th-13th. But on the 10th, I was spotting very lightly. I’m 1 day late for my period, Could I be pregnant?
Hello Alexcia, take a pregnancy 7 days after your missed period.
i only spot very lightly but it’s red not pink?