Ovulation Bleeding and Ovulation Spotting: What’s Normal?

Between 9-14% of women experience experience bleeding during ovulation – one of the various types of bleeding between periods.

Ovulation bleeding is light vaginal bleeding that occurs before, during, or right after ovulation, around the 10-14 days of your cycle.

In most cases, no other symptoms occur. However, sometimes, it’s accompanied by ovulation pain, similar to mild cramping that can last up to a few days.

What Does Ovulation Bleeding Look Like?

Ovulation bleeding is often light, with just a few drops you might notice on your underwear. It can be very light pink, red, or brownish.

During ovulation, you might experience increased discharge of cervical mucus, and sometimes, the blood might be mixed with cervical fluid.

What Causes Ovulation Bleeding?

Ovulation bleeding is caused by hormonal changes that happen around the ovulation stage of your cycle. Around days 10-14 of your cycle, your ovaries release an egg to be fertilized.

“When ovulation occurs, there is a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that signals the follicle to release an egg. This surge is preceded by a rise in estrogen levels and followed by an increase in progesterone,” explains certified sex therapist Aliyah Moore, Ph.D.

The lining of the uterus is highly susceptible to hormonal changes, and because of it, it might start to lightly shed when there is a change of hormones during ovulation.

Ovulation Bleeding vs. Implantation Bleeding

One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is implantation bleeding. It happens when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus around 10-14 days after conception. It’s also very light, lasts up to a few days, and can be accompanied by mild cramp-like pain. Often, people get confused between ovulation and implantation bleeding.

The best way to tell them apart is by timing. If you track your cycle, you’ll know an approximate date of when you ovulate. If you experience bleeding when you’re supposed to be ovulating, then it’s probably ovulation bleeding.

Implantation bleeding often happens after ovulation, which means that it might happen right around when your period should start.  

Of course, if you’re unsure whether it’s ovulation bleeding or if you might be pregnant, it’s best to take a pregnancy test or speak with your OBGYN.

Ovulation Bleeding vs. Menstruation

If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing ovulation bleeding or if it’s your period, here’s how to tell:

• What’s the time in your cycle? If it’s the middle of your cycle, then it’s ovulation bleeding, as menstruation occurs every 21 to 35 days of your cycle.
• What’s the duration of the bleeding? A period often lasts between two and seven days, whereas ovulation bleeding lasts up to 48 hours.
• How heavy is the bleeding? Ovulation bleeding is often just a few drops of blood, while a menstruation flow can be up to three tablespoons.
• What are the other symptoms? Periods often come with a whole array of other symptoms, such as bloating, headaches, lower back pain, intense cramping, fatigue, and more. Ovulation bleeding might have light cramping and increased discharge, but not much more.

Ovulation Bleeding vs. Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. It happens 1 in 50 pregnancies in the United States, and it’s a potentially life-threatening experience. One of the earliest symptoms of ectopic pregnancy is light vaginal bleeding and mild pelvic pain, which are sometimes mistaken for ovulation bleeding.

To ensure that the ovulation bleeding you’re experiencing is not ectopic pregnancy, pay attention to other symptoms that might accompany an ectopic pregnancy, such as nausea, breast tenderness, and fatigue.

If you suspect that you might have an ectopic pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Can You Get Pregnant During Ovulation Bleeding?

Yes, you can still get pregnant even if you experience ovulation bleeding.

In fact, ovulation bleeding, followed by other ovulation symptoms such as cervical mucus discharge, sore breasts and high sex drive mean that you are in the most fertilize window of your cycle – when the egg is released from the ovaries and ready to be fertilized by the sperm.

If you don’t want to get pregnant, abstain from sex or decrease your chances of pregnancy by using birth control methods during ovulation.

When Is Ovulation Bleeding a Sign of Concern?

Ovulation bleeding is usually normal, so if you notice a few drops of blood around the time of your ovulation, don’t freak out.

However, if you experience heavy bleeding or heavy pain, it might be a sign of an emergency, and you should consult your doctor. The same goes if you notice unusual bleeding patterns during your cycle – it could be a sign of a potential issue, so it’s always a good idea to speak with your doctor about it.