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
Hi I need a bit of advice the last day of my period was 10th June and started bleeding a bit in the middle of june for half an hour and then that was it on Saturday I started bleeding but it was light to start of with and now its dark could this be my period or could it be something else i’ve done a pregnancy test as I was meant to start my period 8th of this month I’m confused
Hello Kelly. I am not sure what this could be. I would recommend you speak with a doctor.
Hi I started my period July 7 and now it is July 22 and I just had sex with my boyfriend and I went to the washroom and I had dark blood come out of me. I’m worried. It didn’t look like period blood though. I’m trying to get pregnant, could this be a sign?
Hello Mandy. I am not sure what this could be. I would have to recommend you speak with a doctor.
Last period started June 25-26th and ended sometime around the 30th. Had unprotected sex on the 3rd and the 5th of July. Started spotting pink blood, very light in color and flow on the 12th and the bleeding slowed and stopped almost exactly 48 hours later. Had mild cramps two days prior to bleeding, while bleeding, and for two/three days after the bleeding stopped. My period usually starts between the 26th and 27th every month and has been regular all year. Could this be implantation bleeding or is this bleeding from ovulating? I did a blood pt on the 13th and it turned out negative.
It is very possible it was implantation bleeding as your fertile days were June 3rd-8th. The 13th was too soon for a pregnancy test to determine so I would recommend taking one about now.
My last period started on 27 June and I started ovulating on the 9th of July. After having sex with my husband, I started to see brownish spots in my pants. And my next period is 23rd of July. Does this mean I’m pregnant?
It’s possible that you conceived because you were sexually active on your fertile days. The appearance of those spots is not a true indicator of whether or not you’re pregnant. You will have to wait to see if your period will come on June 23rd and then take it from there. If it does not come, you can take a pregnancy test on June 25.
I ended my period this July 9 and I have unprotected sex to my boyfriend last July 16. A few hours later there something cames out from my vagina it is like an egg white and there is a mild pain in my lower abdomen until the next day. July 18 I’ve started spotting early in the morning I think it is 2am until now but as of now its color lighter but I don’t feel lower abdomen pain as of now. Is there a possibilty that we will be having a baby soon?
Hi, I am wanting to get my family started. My period was July 14 – July 17. When will my fertile window be and ovulation day? Your help is greatly appreciated.
Hi I came on my period the 1st of July which lasted 3days regular for me then on the 16 of July I started spotting bright red to pink blood followed by cramps which I never had and some times nauseous feeling in the morning never throwing up and I was wondering what could it be
Hi. I am an EXTREMELY heavy bleeder. Day one of my cycle is always heavy bright red blood full of clots and painful cramps. May’s cycle was 5/22 every 28 days I had UPS on 6/8 then on 6/19 I got my period 6/20 and it was painful as usual. I had UPS on 7/6 and my period was set to come on 6/18 but it came today on 6/16 the blood is very dark brown with tolerable cramps when I’m usually in extreme pain wearing two pad so I want mess up my pants. Please help.
Such heavy or prolonged bleeding requires the attention of a medical practitioner. You may have an hormonal imbalance, fibroids or other issues that require medical treatment. Be sure to have it checked out.
I just have a question i was on depo for a year & a half i bleed the whole time on shot got my last shot in February. I had my first period that lasted 7 days very heavy on june 9th. Well my expected period was to be july 9th i had started bleeding on july 8th which was very light the next day was sort of heavy then by july 10th i was completely off my period. I have tooken several test but all say negative. Could i be pregnant? Am i taking test early since its only been 5 days i dont understand whats going on with me. Ive been feeling pregnant, stomach cramps, breast sore & always hungry, very nauseous but no puking. Need help please
I am not sure if pregnancy would be possible. The feelings you described can also be associated with the hormonal changes your body is experiencing now that you are off the depo. For a more accurate answer I recommend you speak with a doctor.
Hello. I am a young woman aged 29 and have recently experienced irregularities in my cycle that I’m both confused and worried about my reproductive health. I usually have a 5/6 day cycle and experience heavy bleeding, but in June instead of my period I had a dark brownish/ brick reddish discharge (old blood I assume) for 4 days. And after that nothing. I took a pregnancy test 3 weeks later (on July 12th) and it was negative. I started experiencing a dull pain in my left ovary area 2 days after the middle of my cycle (I have 32-days cycle). Two days later I started bleeding but very little.. So little that I’ll say it was spotting. For 3 days now I have had the same type of discharge as the one I had in June. First I thought I was actually getting my period but now I’m on day 3 and it’s not so much in quantity and is dark brown on the sanitary pad… I’m really worried it could be something really bad. I have never experienced this before.
It seems you need to consult a doctor to ensure that all in well with your reproductive system.
Hi, I’m Leah I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend while on my period which lasted only 5 days, the next day had sex again and now I’m spotting with cramping what can it be? I know it doesn’t always work, but we did the pull-out method.
I had my period 17 June (which was 4 days late); May period was 16th, April’s was the 18th. No idea when I ovulated. Though I am due to come on tomorrow (17th) but no sign. I’ve done 3 internet cheapie tests ultra sensitive ones, last night and they came back faint positive. Took another one this morning and another faint line. All lines came just over a minute of taking tests. Question is, am I only just pregnant or have I got 4 dodgy tests from the same pack?
The fact is some tests are more sensitive to the HCG hormone than others. A highly sensitive test will show a very bold positive even if a low level of hormone is present. On the other hand, a test which is less sensitive will show a faint result. It seems that you may be pregnant because the tests are all positive even though the lines are faint; HCG hormones are surely present.
Steffy
Thank you for your reply.
Its a confirmed pregnancy 🙂
Ended up with 10 positive tests 🙂
Hey. It’s been 42 days since last period I had spotting for few hours then stopped that was almost a week ago. I’ve been feeling sick, easily gets car sick; have been real tired. I asked a lot of pregnant teens they said I have a high chance being pregnant (I’m 16). I’m worried can anyone tell me what it is?
You run the risk of getting pregnant once you have unprotected sex. Speak to your parents or an adult that you trust about getting a pregnancy test done. This is the most effective way to confirm if you are pregnant.
There are different things that can cause a missed period, but it is very possible that you have a baby on the way. I hope you have an adult in your life you trust enough that they could help you out?
My period was due on July 1, it came the 3rd July and finished on July 9. I had sex on July 13 followed by some cramping then again on July 14. When my mate got off me there was blood on the sheets and he was not rough whatsoever. Can anybody help me?
Bleeding after sex should not be taken lightly because it is an indication that something may be wrong. Consult a doctor who can diagnose you and determine the necessary treatment.
Hello, I had my periods on June 17, lasted about 3 days, had intercourse on June 20, took the morning after pill the next day. All was well, but since last 10 days now have this unusual brownish, pinkish irregular on/off spotting going on, using pads, but nothing heavy. initially was painless, but on July 11 these cramps and abdominal pain started, and rise in body temperature, even my husband felt that. Went to the washroom, checked pad, there were these most unusual clots along with dark brownish spotting at least for me, since that day, the mild pain is persistent along with fatigue and soreness in breasts. Waiting for July 17 now anxiously, but now kinda worried what’s up with my body?
A fever is usually a sign that the body is fighting an infection. The unusual clots should not be dismissed so it may be best for you to consult a doctor if your symptoms persist.
thank you, went to doctor on 16 July, she said all’s ok but I shouldn’t have taken the MAP right after my period, that would’ve whacked my menstrual cycle… went to vacation on 20th, remained fatigued, not my usual stamina. UPDATE: As June 17 was my last period date, my periods should’ve come by now, but they haven’t… done two hpt, one on 17 and the other today, both came negative. I have this abdominal discomfort, headache, fatigue, odorless white discharge for days now… read that MAP can some times delay the cycle… now getting worried… is it normal or is something terribly wrong… having sleepless nights! please help with some advice or anything!
thank you so much for being there! a beacon of hope and support!the much appreciated 🙂
Hi am a little bit concerned,i had my period 7 of june and end on the 9 i usually have my period 4 days and i had unprotected sex before my ovulation and doing my period 2 days after my ovulation i noticed some brownish spotting on my panties in the morning later the day it stop but I see brownish spotting on a toilet paper after urinating it last for 2 days and it’s stop but doing that time i feel cramping for a week am suppose to start my next period on the 7 of July am now 7 days late feeling cramping like my period is coming and I took pregnancy text before my next period and after my next period it all came out negative and am not feeling pregnancy symptoms just cramping and breasts tingling pls what is happening to me I need help