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
My husband and I are trying to convince and I am ovulating and I was spotting and now im bleeding more and its a light bright red color. I have no idea what’s going on or if it’s normal I have been blessing for 3 days now. Please help!!!
Hi, i realized that every month when the day of 14 after my menstruation i will have brownish spot until day 3 will become maroon, is not heavy like period but i will have this so call “ovulation bleeding” until the next cycle of my menstruation. Just want to know is this consider ovulation bleeding? I dont feel any pain and not heavy like period, just a small spot. Its come on every month of day 14 which is my ovulation time. Its very dangerous or normal? I am so worried. I went to ultrasound and check, the doctor said everything is fine. But i just don’t understand why its happen to me. Can anyone help me here??
Hello Khimmy, there’s no need for you to be worried it is normal for some women to have ovulation bleeding.Ovulation spotting is most likely caused by the hormones that work with the follicle. These hormones cause the surface of the follicle to weaken, which can create a hole. This is what allows the egg to pass. In some cases, this also causes light bleeding. Other experts believe that the bleeding can be caused by a rise in estrogen that happens during ovulation
Hello! I stopped taking my birth control pill at the end of may (trying to conceive) and the first month offf was completely normal. Then ever since july I have been bleeding mid cycle I took a test tonight and it was negative 🙁 according to my fertility tracker my period is due In 6-7 days. Is this just ovulation bleeding or could it be implantation bleeding OR Is it just my body still trying to adjust? PLZ HELP
Hi Samantha, It could be your body still adjusting,take another test 2 days before your period is due in the morning as you wake up.
Hello I’m kitty. I’m 16 it’s been 94 days since last period I spotted on 7/9 I took tests but negative yet boobs growing so is my stomach my feet swollen headaches been feeling sick crying at everything hungry a lot been peeing a lot very tired get irritated easy also last period is 5/10-5/14 I swear I saw different kind of movement like a baby if I’m pregnant I would be 13 weeks nd few days sorry for keep posting
Kitty, your symptoms sound very much like pregnancy. You need to make sure to do no meds, alcohol, drugs, cold cuts, raw fish, caffeine, etc and see a doc right away to get tested and on a good prenatal vitamin. At that rome you can weigh your options. There are many people out there including myself that would love to adopt and give your baby a great home. As you know, it’s a huge amount of responsibility and a huge amount of sacrifice to take on at your age and a very loving gift to your baby should you choose to go that route. Just an option to throw out there. Also not going to lecture but at your age you really should be on a birth control and using protection. You should be enjoying life, not risking your well being or becoming a parent so young. Good luck to you and your probable little one.
I’m keeping the kid if I’m pregnant I’m happy if I am I have names picked out
Um I never said gonna give up adoption I want my kid my very first kid I wanna see her or him walk talk first tooth etc I wanna be able hold him her close smile seeing the perfect child Ik how it is to raise a kid my cousin was 15 raising a kid her kid beyond smart etc doesn’t matter by age as long as you know way your doing nd love yur kid with all of yur heart
Good day,
Me and my boyfriend trying to have a baby..
We had unprotected sex and 2days after I started bleeding and its not my time to get my period.. I don’t have any pregnancy signs.. Can you please tell me why is it that I started bleeding? We really want to have a baby and I feel kinda sad coz of the bleeding.. Thanks!
Hi Chan, what you are experiencing could be implantation bleeding. However it could mean you are seeing your period a bit earlier. its too early to tell if you are pregnant wait a week are two and test.
Hi. My last menstrual came July 19th. Lasted 6 days and was normal. TCT and did the do starting the July 28th. August 3rd I noticed I was spotting. I have continued to spot for that last 4 days. The spotting started off brown but has become more red but it’s light and only there when I use the bathroom. Last month I spotted (on CD14 and it lasted 3 days) also which I find strange because this has never happened before. I am also having slight cramps and backaches. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. 🙂
Just wanted to add that I spotted from CD 16 to CD 22. The cramps that I’m having haven’t stop. I thought I may have a cyst so I went to the hospital and they told me I didn’t. They did tell me that endometrial lining was thicker then it should be for this point of my cycle. I took a pregnancy this test this morning and got a negative. Any ideas??
It sounds like you may be pregnant. You may have gotten the negative result simply because it is too soon for a test to pick up the hormone, it usually isn’t that strong in your itinerary this early for a test to pick it up. I would recommend taking another test around the 21st.
Thank you. 🙂 I am trying not to worry but I was spotting again today. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for a BFP. Baby dust all. 🙂
Hello I’m kitty. I’m 16 it’s been 83 days since last period I spotted on 7/9 I took tests but negative yet boobs growing so is my stomach my feet swollen headaches been feeling sick crying at everything hungry a lot been peeling a lot very tired get irritated easy also can y’all tell me what’s happening
Peeing not peeling
Baby you’re pregnant & actually you a couple of months I’m going through the same thing congrats ☺️
I looked up where I would be at with this site’s tracker it said baby will be due on Valentine’s day so I’m 13 weeks few days I’m so happy if I really am thx for your say into this ^~^
No one answer me here i’m still waiting but I think it is enough. I need to ask someone. Thank you for posting.
I recently just got off my birth control shot, I had a upcoming appointment & was due for anothe July six I had a two week period. I got off had unprotected sex he ejaculated then 2 days after I start g spotting I don’t know what this is a sign of but I need answers!!!!
HI I HAVE HAD THE SAME THING BUT I HAD SEX ON MY BIRTH CONTROL SHOT UNPROTECTED THEN COUPLE DAYS LATER I THROW UP BUT NOT KNOWING I WAS GOING TO THINKING IT WAS A BURP AT FIRST I SWOLLEWED IT THEN ME AND MY BOYFRIEND HAD UNPROTECTED SEX ONE DAY AND HE TOLD ME I WAS SPOTTING BLOOD SO I WAS THINKING MAYBE ITS BECAUSE I NEED TO GO GET MY SHOT AGAIN BECAUSE THREE MONTHS PASSED ALREADY BUT JUST LAST WEEK I TOOK A PREGNANCY TEST AT FIRSR I COULDN’T SEE THE 2nd LINE THAT SAME DAY I TOOK IT BUT I LEFT IT OVER NIGHT AND THE 2ND LINE APPEARED SO NOW IM PREGNANT BUT STILL AM SPOTTING TILL THIS DAY .SO BEST THING TO DO IS TAKE A TEST
Hi I was wondering if there was a normal age or age range for ovulation bleeding to occur. I’m just 20 years old and this is the first time I’ve ever experienced ovulation bleeding. Is this a sign that I will only be fertile for so long Because I don’t plan on having children for a few more years. I’m really confused and hope you can help me understand.
This is normal Sarah. Sometimes it may occur, for some women it may never occur and for others it always happens. It doesn’t mean you will lose fertility. It is indeed natural and may come and go from cycle to cycle.
Hello, thank you for the information! I am on day 50 of my cycle. I saw my ObGyne 3 days ago and she confirmed I am not pregnant, although she suggested taking another HPT next week. For the past 2 days I have had very light spotting which consists of dadk red/brown blood and looks either clotted or mixed with CM. I’m just interested to see if anyone thinks this could be ovulation spotting or just a fluke. I’ve never had a cycle this long, so I’m trying to figure out what’s going on! Thank you!
Hello Meg! I would have to recommend you speak with your OBGYN as there an be several reasons for this and you OBGYN would know best.
Hello, had a medical abortion last month the heavy bleedind started on the 23 of june and ended 6th of july, used a pregnancy test strip on 28 and it showed negative but yet to see my period . When is it likely for it to start flowing?
That is totally up to your body and how the hormonal changes are coming along. Every woman is different so there is truly no knowing when it will begin.
My last period was June 27 my next period was due July 25 yesterday made it 5 days late then I started bleeding at first it was light now its red like a period with no cramping I took 2 Pregnancy tests both came out negative am I bleeding implantation or is it my period can I still be pregnant?
Hello KeeKee. I would have to recommend you speak with a doctor or professional.
Hello! I would like to ask, My period started on July 2 and it end on July 9. I have unprotected sex with my boyfriend on July 16. I have 30days cycle so my expected date of menstruation is July 31 or August 1. If my menstruation will not come how many days that I should wait? And is there a possibility that we were having a baby soon? I have also a previous post here but no one answer. I didn’t also know if the spotting happen to me last July 27 is implantation bleeding it is just only one drop and until now there is an egg white look that still comes out
Personally, I would give it a week. It possible you may be expecting as your fertile days were July 15th-20th. If you do not yet have your cycle I would recommend taking a pregnancy test now.
Hi. I came off my period around the 24h July 26th July I had sex with my partner a few hours later I seemed to have come off I just generally thought it was to do with me not quite finishing my period. So today 27th July we had sex again. About 18.30pm, I come to the toilet at 00.17 am early hours 28th July I have yet come on again. This has never happened to me. Never experienced anything like this before and it is quite worrying for my and my partner. We haven’t got children and I am not on the pill. We are not trying for a child as we are not financially stable. This is the first time since we first had sex as a couple in November he has ejaculated in my vagina. I have told him and he is worried so is myself. Please can someone help me with what the problem is. I always wear dark underwater so can’t tell is the blood is light or dark. There is no white bits there either. Someone help ? Am worried! Thanks stace
Hello Stace. If I am understanding you correctly, I would assume you simply had not yet finished flushing what remained in your vaginal canal. If it continues or just doesn’t feel right to you I would recommend you speak with a doctor or professional.
Additional to this after my one day and half spotting I think, there is a mucus like egg white that comes out until now and my expected date of menstration is between July 31 to August 3. Is there a possibility that we will be having a baby?and if Yes can you give me suggestion test to know early?