Ovulation spotting is light bleeding that happens around the time that you ovulate. Ovulation is when your ovary releases an egg. Not every woman will experience ovulation spotting In fact, one research study found just about 5 percent of women have spotting in the middle of their cycles.
Read on to learn more about ovulation spotting, including how to identify it and when it happens, plus other signs that you might be ovulating.
How to identify ovulation spotting
If you see spotting around the middle of your cycle, it may be ovulation spotting. Spotting is light vaginal bleeding that occurs beyond your regular periods. Normally, this bleeding is much lighter than what you’ll experience when you have your period.
The color of the blood can supply ideas to the cause of the spotting. That’s because the color changes depending on the speed of the blood flow. Some women describe ovulation spotting as light pink or red in color. Pink spotting is a sign that the blood is blended with cervical fluid. Women normally produce more cervical fluid at the time of ovulation
Ovulation spotting typically lasts a day or more.
When does ovulation spotting occur?
Ovulation normally occurs anywhere in between 11 and 21 days after the first day of your last period, though it might occur eventually in some women, depending on the length of your cycle. Ovulation can also occur at various times during a woman’s cycle and might take place on a different day every month.
Tracking ovulation can help improve your chances for becoming pregnant. Some women also track ovulation as a method to prevent pregnancy. If you’re attempting to get pregnant, light spotting during ovulation might be a sign that you can conceive around this time of your cycle.
Keep in mind that an egg is only offered for fertilization for about 12– 24 hours throughout ovulation. However, due to the fact that sperm can live in the body for 3 to 5 days, your fertile window of chance has to do with 5 days every month.
Why does ovulation spotting take place?
Ovulation spotting might be triggered by rapid hormonal changes that occur during ovulation. In one study, greater levels of luteal progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) around ovulation were seen in women who experienced ovulation bleeding.
Having higher or lower levels of these hormones does not suggest that you are more or less likely to conceive.
Other signs and symptoms of ovulation
You may see other signs and symptoms of ovulation, including:
- boost in cervical fluid
- cervical fluid that appears like egg whites
- change in the position or firmness of the cervix
- change in basal body temperature level (a slight decline in temperature prior to ovulation followed by a sharp boost after ovulation).
- increased libido.
- pain or a dull pains on one side of the abdominal area.
- higher levels of LH, which can be determined with an ovulation test.
- breast inflammation.
- bloating.
- an intensified sense of odor, taste, or vision.
Paying close attention to these symptoms might help you limit your window to conceive.
Ovulation spotting vs. implantation spotting
While ovulation spotting occurs around the time that your body releases an egg, implantation spotting takes place when a fertilized egg attaches to the inner lining of your uterus.
Implantation spotting is among the earliest signs of pregnancy. About one-third of pregnant women will experience it.
Unlike ovulation spotting, which typically occurs mid-cycle, implantation spotting occurs a couple of days prior to your next period need to occur.
Since implantation bleeding happens around the same time you might anticipate your period, you might mistake implantation bleeding for your period. Here are the differences:
- Implantation bleeding is light pink to dark brown in color. Menstruation bleeding is generally bright to dark red.
- Implantation bleeding is much lighter in circulation than your period.
- Implantation bleeding just lasts for half a day to a couple days. Periods usually last longer than this.
You may also experience the following symptoms in addition to implantation bleeding:
- headaches.
- nausea.
- state of mind swings.
- light cramping.
- breast inflammation.
- low backache.
- tiredness.
Implantation bleeding isn’t something to fret about and doesn’t present any danger to an unborn baby.
Spotting vs. period
Spotting is different than the bleeding you experience when you have your period. Normally, spotting:
- is lighter in flow.
- is pink, reddish, or brown in color.
- just lasts for a day or two.
Bleeding due to your menstrual period is typically heavy adequate to require a pad, tampon, or menstrual cup. The average period lasts about 5 days and produces a total blood loss of about 30 to 80 milliliters (mL). They typically happen every 21 to 35 days.
When should you take a pregnancy test?
If you think you might be pregnant, wait till the first day after your missed period to take a pregnancy test. If you had ovulation bleeding, this may be about 15 to 16 days after the bleeding occurred.
Taking a test too early may lead to a false-negative test. Pregnancy tests determine the quantity of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. This hormone rises quickly when you’re pregnant, however in the very early days of pregnancy, the levels will be too low to identify in your urine.
If your test returns positive, make a visit with your OB/GYN to validate the outcomes. If your test is negative and your period still hasn’t begun, take another test a week later. If your test is still unfavorable, make an appointment to see your physician.
Bottom line
Ovulation spotting only happens in a small number of women. You can still ovulate without experiencing spotting. If you’re trying to conceive, track your menstrual cycle and expect other signs of ovulation, such as changes in cervical mucus and basal body temperature. Bear in mind that your body temperature level increases after ovulation, so this is not the best technique for anticipating your fertile window.
You can also use an ovulation tracking app or an ovulation test. Ovulation tests work similarly to pregnancy urine tests, except they test for LH in your urine. LH increases prior to and during ovulation. These tests work for recognizing your fertile window and increasing the possibilities of pregnancy.
