What is ovulation bleeding?

Ovulation bleeding is a slight vaginal bleeding that happens when your ovary releases an egg, a process called ovulation. Also known as mid-cycle bleeding, it generally occurs in the middle of your menstrual cycle at the same time as ovulation. Spotting while ovulating can be accompanied by ovulation pain or mittelschmerz, which can feel like mild cramping or sharp pains on one side of your abdomen. There are multiple reasons why you may experience spotting around ovulation, like hormonal fluctuations or reproductive conditions. However, in general, it’s not a sign of any problems or underlying issues.

Is it normal to bleed during ovulation?

While not common, light bleeding during ovulation is normal and usually nothing to worry about. Since it’s often caused by natural hormonal fluctuations throughout your cycle, the bleeding should stop within a day of ovulation.

What does ovulation bleeding look like?

If you’re experiencing bleeding during ovulation for the first time, it can be a bit scary. The good news is that the blood tends to be quite light, usually only a few drops that appear when you wipe or on your underwear. Ovulation bleeding color is light red or pink and should be gone in one to two days.

What causes spotting during ovulation?

As Hormonas know, our hormones play a huge role in how we feel and how our bodies function. It comes as no surprise then that they’re one of the key causes of ovulation bleeding. One of the top questions we get is, “Why do I bleed during ovulation?” Along with your hormones, there are a few other possibilities. Let’s explore more about what causes bloody discharge during ovulation below.

Hormone fluctuations

Throughout your menstrual cycle, your body experiences changes to its hormone levels as it prepares a new egg for fertilization. During the follicular phase, your body starts developing the follicle that will produce a mature egg. To do this, the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels rise, and a set of follicles is recruited. They grow, produce estrogen, and compete, and only one is selected to become dominant and continue maturation. Once the dominant follicle is mature enough, your body releases high levels of luteinizing hormone along with FSH, which causes the ovary to release the egg, a process called ovulation. Estrogen levels peak around ovulation as well, reflecting the maturation of the dominant follicle. Once ovulation occurs, these hormone levels drop, and your body gets a surge of progesterone, which prepares the uterus lining for implantation. This fluctuation of hormones can cause light bleeding on ovulation day.

Rupturing egg follicles

While it may sound intense, follicular rupture is a natural part of the menstrual cycle. When the mature egg is released, it bursts out of the follicle, which can cause minor trauma or irritation that may lead to spotting. This process can also bring cramping or pain on the side of your abdomen where the participating ovary is located.

Other causes of bleeding between periods

Although the bleeding we described occurs in the middle of your cycle, it may not be related to ovulation. Instead, it could be due to other reasons, including those mentioned below.

Reproductive issues

If you’re wondering, “Why am I bleeding during ovulation?” the answer could be tied to an underlying reproductive issue. If you have a medical condition like endometriosis or cervical or uterine polyps, it can cause spotting when ovulating.

Exercise

Hard or strenuous exercise around the time of ovulation can lead to some spotting as well. While not a cause for concern if it happens occasionally, if you notice ovulation bleeding during exercising, you should consult your doctor.

Stress

Persistent stress has a huge impact on your entire body, including your hormones. When you’re stressed out, your body produces high amounts of the cortisol hormone, which causes your reproductive hormones like estrogen, LH, FSH, and progesterone to get out of whack. When this happens, you may experience spotting or bleeding when you ovulate.

Sexually transmitted infections

Infections obtained from STIs can cause irregular bleeding throughout your cycle. This bleeding may happen between periods or after sex from culprits like chlamydia and gonorrhea. If you suspect you have an STI, you should talk with your doctor immediately since they can lead to fertility issues or further conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease.

Birth Control

Hormonal birth control suppresses ovulation by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg. When you first start taking it, you may notice spotting as your hormones adjust.

Ovulation spotting vs. period blood – what’s the difference?

While you may think that all vaginal bleeding is the same, the truth is, it’s not. There’s a difference between ovarian spotting and period blood due to the biological processes behind them. For example, as we’ve discussed, ovulation spotting occurs when an egg is released from the ovary and is very light, only lasting a day or two.

Your period blood, on the other hand, is uterine bleeding in response to the absence of egg fertilization and implantation. Period blood can vary from light to heavy, starting as a bright red or pink and ending as brown. A typical period lasts 4 to 5 days and emits between 2 to 3 tablespoons of blood in total. Additionally, your period is a normal part of your monthly menstrual cycle, occurring every 21 to 38 days, while ovulation spotting only happens rarely.

I’m bleeding during ovulation – am I pregnant?

If you’re trying to conceive and notice mid-cycle bleeding, you may wonder if it means you’re pregnant, but does spotting during ovulation mean pregnancy? Unfortunately, no, ovulation bleeding isn’t a sign of pregnancy. Some women may confuse ovulation spotting with implantation bleeding, which can occur when a fertilized egg implants into the uterus. Where ovulation bleeding happens on the day of or after ovulation, implantation bleeding occurs around 10 to 14 days after.

Since ovulation can cause spotting, women may experience it without being pregnant, while implantation bleeding only occurs after conception. If you’re tracking your menstrual cycle, you can take note of factors like an increased body temperature or cervical mucus that accompanies ovulation to help you determine the difference. While many women think spotting during ovulation is a good sign of pregnancy, it’s simply a normal part of the body’s reaction throughout your menstrual cycle.

When to consult a healthcare professional

Asking your doctor, “Why am I spotting during ovulation,” is always a smart choice if you have any concerns whatsoever. However, there are times you should seek medical attention, even if you assume you’re okay. If you have any of the below symptoms, you should speak to your doctor to ensure you are in good health.

• Heavy or persistent bleeding
• Gray, green, or dark yellow discharge
• Multing instances of spotting throughout your cycle
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Postmenopausal bleeding
• Bleeding after sex

But is spotting during ovulation normal? Yes, but having these additional symptoms may not be. It’s always best to talk to your doctor with any concerns so you can have peace of mind.

So, can you bleed during ovulation? Yes, light spotting or bleeding during ovulation is normal, even if it’s not common. Keeping track of your cycle is the best way to notice if any irregularities arise, which is why the women love the Hormona app. This award-winning tool provides comprehensive insights into your hormone health, making it easy to monitor your cycle at home. Say hello to the future of women’s health with Hormona.