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
Today is supposedly my ovulation day and my fiance and I had sex 5days ago. It was unprotected, but he never ejaculated inside me, but there is still precum. Earlier we had some fun and he did finger me a little rougher than normal but not too bad and I had blood mixed with my mucus and cum…is that impregnated bleeding or just maybe normal for other women? I’ve never had this before and I’ve only been having sex for about 2 months. I’m worried I’m pregnant. Anyone able to shed some light? I’m pretty worried.
It’s possible to get pregnant via precum. If you do not wish to become pregnant at this time then it is important to practice safe sex. It is normal for blood to be mixed with mucus if you had rough sex.
I had spotting when me and my guy had sex. I was wondering if there’s a chance that i could get pregnant? He did not ejaculate inside but there is still the precum. Im planning to buy an emergency contraceptive pill. Will it work? I dont know the best one either.
Please give me some advice.
Hi Elly, The emergency contraceptive works if taken within the first 72 hrs, Just go to the pharmacy they will tell you the best one to use.
I have been having ovulation bleeding for a few months now since June. It’s kinda an off and on thing. Like, every other month or so. It starts out light like a normal period. I ovulated last week I think and I started to bleed on the morning of 11/3/15 and it’s been medium flow from the onset. I almost have a tugging sensation like a period cramp but it’s minimal and didn’t bother me much. I have also seen skin like particles mixed with some of the blood. This is not like my other ovulation bleeding. I never got cramps or medium flow on the onset of it. I’m wondering if I should be worried about this? My other ovulation bleeding lasted 2-3 days. I don’t know how long this one will last. I also had sex on 10/28/15 and some sperm leaked out of the condom and I did take the plan b pill. Any ideas what is going on?
Hi, You could be pregnant as sperms did get inside of you, Take a pregnancy test to find out. If you are still experiencing the bleeding/spotting and no period visit your doctor.
Hi my period isn’t supposed to be on until the 4th of November and today I started spotting and within a couple of hours it was gone. What should I do could I be pregnant?
Your chances of being pregnant depend on whether you were fertile on or around the date that you had sex. It cannot be confirmed if you’re pregnant based on the information provided. Wait to see if your period will come as expected on November 4. If it doesn’t then wait for a week to pass before taking a pregnancy test.
I’m in my mid-thirties and have started having occasional irregular periods (usually 29 days but sometimes I’ll miss one or have a very short cycle). My last period started October 9th so I would expect ovulation to occur today or tomorrow, but Monday I started bleeding. Mostly light pinkish mixed with cervical mucus, but on Wednesday (Oct. 21st) it was a little heavier. I had to wear a pantyliner for a few hours and had a few clots come out as well. Do you think this could be ovulation bleeding or more likely something else? I have experienced similar bleeding around mid-cycle only one other time. I came off of birth control two years ago after over a decade, so I’m still not sure what my “normal” is.
Hello Georgia, Hi, Spotting between periods can mean a lot of things like..pregnancy,perimenopause,stress,Bladder or vaginal infections and many more. spotting between periods is fairly normal unless accompanied by pain.
I had an ectopic pregnancy that resulted in removal of my right tube. I have cramps almost through out my cycle, around day 7, day 14 (O pain,) post ovulation and also period cramps. Lately i get pink spotting 2-3 days before the onset of real menstruation. Any insights on what might be causing the spotting? Its new for me, could it be low progesterone levels? Thank you.
Hi, Spotting between periods can mean a lot of things like..pregnancy,perimenopause,stress,Bladder or vaginal infections and many more. spotting between periods is fairly normal unless accompanied by pain.
Hi, Kelly. If I have ovulation spotting for 4-5 days, which day of the spotting will I be fertile?
Hi Joelle,Your fertile period starts about 4-5 days before ovulation, and ends about 24-48 hours after it. This is because sperm can live in your body for approximately 4 to 5 days, and the egg can live for 24 to 48 hours after being released. You are most fertile on the day before and the day of ovulation.
This is a new excellent article. I feel like it describes my cycle to a T. I have irregular and longer than normal cycles, but have spotting every month which I assume is ovulation spotting. I spot ever so slightly for about 4-5 days, a couple of weeks before my period. It’s typically blood in my discharge when I wipe, but never really just blood in my panties. If I’m trying to get pregnant, which day of the spotting do I start having sex? (This is how my cycles were when I got pregnant a few years ago. We were trying to conceive, but I didn’t think I could bc I wasn’t regular. I ended up conceiving when I was spotting which makes me think I spot when I ovulate.)
Hi Joelle, The best time would be before the first day of spotting or on the first day of the spotting.
I had a baby June and of this year. Besides going through a month in a half of my cycle trying to set itself back on track, I had a cycle on August 31st and it ended on September 7th. It started again today.I am very concern cause it is bright red with slight pain. I do not know or understand what is going on with my body…please help explain if you can. Thank you
I am going through the same, but my condition is bit different as I have irregularity of periods and PCOS. I spotted yesterday dark red four to five drops of blood then it was over after an hours.. doc did TVS taking it as ovulation bleeding and took my progestrone test to make sure. But as I read while browsing that ovulation bleeding comes like pink in color or brownish, I don’t know exactly what is happening.
Hi. From August 2nd -6th I had my period. On August 14th my boyfriend and I had sex. I got my period again from September 1st – 6th and was scheduled to ovulate today, September 17th, according to my app. I have been feeling some slight cramping on my left side. On September 15th, I detected a pinkish discharge while wiping. When I woke up on September 16th, I had a bright red streak of blood in a mucus-like discharge. I’ve had some bleeding for the past two days, similar to a light period. I’m not due to have my next period until October 1st. What is going on?
Hi Monique, Bleeding/spotting can be signs of many things. pregnancy is one of those things take a test if its negative see your doctor to make sure the spotting is normal.
My period was from .8/29 to 09/03
My ovulation date was 09/14 ..from the 8th to the 14th me and my husband had been very active. On the 15th i woke up and I was spotting pink later into the day the spotting turned brown. On the 16th light pink brown, and this morning 17th when I woke up a little heavier with a little bit of mucus also light pink red brown.. This has never happened before and if it did i never noticed. So I’m trying to figure out did i do it, did i make this baby or NAH?
Hi Chynna, it is very possible to be pregnant take a test to find out
Hi,i started my period on the 16th August night and had unprotected sex with my fiance and had a PT test on the 3rd of sept but was negative but up till date period didn’t come but this evening a slight pain came which I later noticed a brownish like blood on my pants. the pain has subsided but I am worried what might be wrong? this has never happened before.
Hi Keno, The spotting could be implantation bleeding,but to be sure its nothing serious call your doctor to make sure.
Hi i bleed every month as to my monthly period but what i don’t understand is every month the date changers in June i had it on the 11th then July the 22nd august it’s the 19th and September it’s the 13th. is there a reason why this is happening.
Hi
please read these posts
http://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
http://womanjunction.com/regulate-menstrual-cycle/
Hi I have a regular period and it ended August 28th but I started spotting the 8th of September. Would this be ovulation spotting and not implantation spotting? because I thought implantation spotting is much closer to when your period is going to start.
Hello Madi, Spotting after period can be caused by many factors,if you think you could be pregnant take a pregnancy test or just go to your doctor to make sure the spotting is normal.
I’m underage and I don’t think I can make a doctors appointment without my parents. And are you supposed to use a pregnancy test? Isn’t it a day before you’re expecting your period???
Hey I woke up with cramps and yesterday with cramps too bit this time with spotting is this normal. I never had this happen to me. My bf and I are trying to concive. I did started my period on August 27 and ended on September 1. We were entament right when I stopped then started with cramps on 11 and 12. Is this normal
Hello Ariel Ramirez,mild spotting in shades of light red to dark brownish red or pink can be caused by numerous factors such as Hormonal imbalance, thyroid disease,birth control pills, uterine fibroids or polyps. i suggest you take a visit to your doctor to make sure everything is ok!.
Hi, I got a period after 2 weeks of my last period. No pain at all but it made me worried. First it was brownish and light pink very little and it stopped. Around evening it continues like a regular period still no pain. Im taking vit. B complex regularly at night. Can somebody help me understand ? Im still 33 no kids yet. Also the day before it happen I was taking lorinase and xylo comod as prescribed by the doctor could this be the side effects? Please help me to understand what’s going on ? Thanks
Hello. You should consult a gynecologist or your personal doctor if you are seeing monthly periods less than twenty-three days apart. The medical professional might do blood test to examine your hormone levels or a biopsy to determine if your uterine lining is thickening abnormally. In most cases, frequent bleeding is a minor condition, but the problem could be more serious at times and excess bleeding could cause anemia. It is always a good idea to investigate periods which are occurring too often.