Understanding ovulation bleeding: What you need to know

What is ovulation bleeding?

Spotting or bleeding at any time other than your period can be scary and confusing, but it doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong. To better understand why you may experience ovulation bleeding, it’s important to quickly discuss how the reproductive system works.

When you think about your menstrual cycle, your mind probably goes straight to your period, but that’s only one part of the process. In fact, your body goes through multiple changes within the follicular and luteal phases.

During the early follicular phase, you experience menstruation as the uterus cleans itself out, getting itself ready to accept a new egg. At this time, the follicles within your ovaries work on producing a new egg. Next up is the ovulation, which marks the mid-cycle around 14 days after your period. During ovulation, the mature egg is released and begins traveling through the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. Finally, the luteal phase starts as your body prepares to host a fertilized egg. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the cycle starts over, and menstruation begins again.

Ovulation bleeding happens during the ovulation phase of your menstrual cycle. It only lasts one or two days and should be very light. While it can be a good way to identify your fertility window, most women don’t experience bleeding while ovulating every month.

What does ovulation bleeding look like?

If you experience bloody discharge during ovulation, you’re not alone. While it’s not common, around 5% of women experience mid-cycle bleeding occasionally. How do you know when it’s ovulation bleeding? You may notice a pink discharge during ovulation, which is actually drops of blood mixed in with your vaginal discharge and mucus. You could also see red or pink blood on your underwear or when you wipe after using the restroom. While noticing blood during ovulation can be a bit alarming, as long as it isn’t heavy and doesn’t last for more than a day or two, it’s most likely not anything to worry about. However, you should always consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

Why am I bleeding during ovulation?

One question we hear Hormonas ask is, “Why am I bleeding/spotting during ovulation?” and we don’t blame you. The last thing you expect is to see blood when you’re not expecting your period. There are a few reasons you may experience ovulation bleeding, but the most common is hormonal changes. As women, our bodies are constantly going through hormonal dips and rises as our menstrual cycle progresses. Before ovulating, your estrogen levels rise and then quickly fall after the egg is released. Pair this drop with rising progesterone levels, and the fluctuation can cause light spotting or bleeding.

How long does ovulation bleeding usually last?

Ovulation bleeding only lasts around 1 to 2 days, corresponding with ovulation. If you experience spotting or bleeding any longer, you should consider talking to your doctor, as it could point to an underlying medical condition.

Ovulation bleeding vs. bleeding during your period

Ovulation bleeding is very different from menstruation in a few different ways. To start, bleeding around ovulation occurs due to hormonal fluctuations within the body caused by ovulation, while period bleeding is due to the drop in hormone levels when conception hasn’t happened, as the uterus needs to shed its lining.

Another key difference involves the length of bleeding. Hormonas know the typical period length is between 3 to 5 days, but how long does ovulation bleeding last? As we discussed earlier, it should only be between one and two days since that’s the general timespan of ovulation.

If you experience heavy bleeding during ovulation, similar to a period, you should contact your doctor. Interestingly, some of the symptoms of ovulation are similar to the ones you get during your period. They can include pelvic pain, heightened sense of smell, and breast tenderness. Although it is not common, you may experience increased water retention during ovulation, which is another common symptom of upcoming menstruation.

Ovulation bleeding vs. implantation bleeding

While the appearance of ovulation and implantation bleeding may be similar, they have very different bodily functions.

• Ovulation bleeding or spotting comes from estrogen and progesterone hormone level shifts; implantation bleeding happens in response to a fertilized egg attaching to the lining of the uterus.
• Implantation bleeding occurs between the 10th and 14th day of your menstrual cycle, while ovulation bleeding is closer to the 14th day.
• Ovulation bleeding is often a light pink color and mixed with thicker cervical mucus, while implantation bleeding can be pink, brown, or light red with watery cervical mucus.

Bleeding during ovulation – am I pregnant?

If you’re trying to get pregnant, light bleeding during ovulation can get your hopes up, but unfortunately, it isn’t a sign of pregnancy. It is easy to distinguish between them: bleeding around ovulation occurs in the middle of your cycle, while some spotting after a delayed period might be implantation bleeding. This can be disheartening if you think spotting during ovulation is a good sign of pregnancy.

If you believe you could be pregnant, take a pregnancy test, as it can provide some clarity.

What are some alternative reasons for experiencing spotting?

Spotting or bleeding around ovulation can be normal, but it could also signal potential health concerns. Some of the top reasons for atypical bleeding include the following.

Anatomical changes

Polyps in the cervical canal and uterus, along with fibroids and inflammation of the cervix, are the most common causes of intermenstrual bleeding. In most cases, this bleeding begins as spotting a few days before your period and lasts for a few days afterward.

Ovulatory dysfunction

There are several reasons that can lead to anovulation. These include lifestyle factors such as restrictive diets, excessive exercise, and high levels of stress, as well as medical conditions like PCOS and thyroid issues, among others. Interestingly, the thyroid is responsible for releasing the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle, so if your body is producing too little or too many thyroid hormones, it could cause you to bleed between your periods.

Malignancies

While scary, in some cases, spotting can be caused by ovarian cancer, especially ones producing estrogen. It can also be a symptom of endometrial or cervical cancer. Bleeding can be an outward sign of internal health conditions, which is why you should consult your doctor if it continues. Please note that they are extremely rare.

Hormonal treatments

Different hormonal treatments like fertility drugs or birth control can cause irregular bleeding between your periods.

When should I consult a doctor?

If you’re experiencing bleeding during ovulation for the first time or are concerned and want to know, “Is it normal to bleed/spot during ovulation?” you’re not alone. Bleeding when you’re not on your period can be frightening, however, it’s typically nothing to worry about. Having said that there are times you should consult with your doctor, including:

• You experience changes to your typical bleeding pattern, like longer or shorter durations between periods
• You bleed heavier than normal
• You soak through a pad or tampon every 2 hours or pass large blood clots
• You bleed after menopause
• You have additional symptoms like:
  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • painful periods
  • trouble getting pregnant

At Hormona, we’re committed to helping women understand their hormones, which is why we created the Hormona app. Our award-winning app gives you the tools and insights to understand your body better so you can feel your best!

FAQ

Can stress cause ovulation bleeding?

No, it is unlikely to cause spotting around ovulation. When stress becomes almost unbearable, your body may even stop ovulating for a while.

How to stop ovulation bleeding?

If pregnancy is not on your immediate agenda, you may consider taking hormonal contraceptives. No ovulation means no ovulation bleeding.

Can ovulation cause spotting?

Yes, due to hormonal fluctuations, ovulation can cause spotting and bleeding.

Can sperm survive ovulation bleeding?

Yes, ovulation bleeding doesn’t harm sperm, which can survive for 5 days in a woman’s reproductive system.

Is it normal to cramp and bleed during ovulation?

Yes, experiencing light cramping on one side and bleeding during ovulation is normal and called mittelschmerz. What you’re feeling is the release of the egg from the follicle, which is why the pain is generally one-sided. You may also experience light bleeding after ovulation, which can also be normal.