Implantation bleeding refers to light bleeding that is discovered or appears during pregnancy around the time the egg implants into the uterine wall. Studies have shown that about 25% of people experience implantation bleeding.
Experiencing spotting or light bleeding can be shocking or worrying. If you are trying to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant, you may want to know if what you are experiencing is implantation bleeding or your period.
Implantation bleeding differs from menstruation in several ways, including the timing, type of bleeding, and duration of bleeding.
Both implantation and menstruation involve vaginal bleeding, but there are some important differences. Knowing these differences can help you understand what you are going through.
timing
Implantation bleeding usually occurs when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually occurs about 6 to 12 days after conception. Mild spotting associated with implantation may occur for up to 1 to 2 weeks after pregnancy. Therefore, implantation bleeding may occur the week before or around the expected period.
The timing of menstruation can vary from person to person and from month to month. Menstruation usually occurs about two weeks, or 14 days, after ovulation. The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, and ovulation occurs around day 14. However, if ovulation occurs early or late, the cycle can be longer or shorter. The average menstrual cycle can last from 21 to 35 days.
continue
Implantation bleeding can occur during and after implantation. These tend to be fairly short-lived, typically lasting a few hours or a day. However, it can last up to 3 days.
Bleeding during menstruation tends to last longer. The average duration is 4-6 days, but it can last up to 8 days.
amount of blood
Most people describe transplant spotting as a very light amount of bleeding, such as a few spottings on their underwear or a very light period.
Menstrual bleeding tends to be heavier. A typical period may start and end with spotting or light bleeding, but you're more likely to experience more heavy bleeding for a few days. A typical menstrual period averages about 30 milliliters (mL) of blood.
During your period, it is common to fill a pad with a tampon and need to change it frequently. If you have an implant, you may only see blood when you wipe, or you may see a few spots on your underwear, panty liners, or other small pads.
appearance of blood
In the case of implantation bleeding, the visible blood tends to be lighter in color than menstrual blood. Implantation hemorrhage may appear pale pink or rusty or brown (this indicates a slow drain of old blood).
Menstrual blood tends to be darker or brighter red in color. It is normal to have clots during your period, but clots are not common during implantation bleeding.
Implantation bleeding can usually be identified by the symptoms and timing of the bleeding. Here's what you need to know:
- Implantation bleeding tends to occur about 1 to 2 weeks after ovulation.
- It usually occurs before the expected period, but it can also occur around the same time as your period.
- The flow is much lighter than a regular period. The bleeding is not enough to require tampons or large pads.
- The blood may appear light pink or brown.
Implantation bleeding is associated with early pregnancy. Therefore, you may experience the following early signs of pregnancy:
- chest pain that is greater than usual
- Nipples are sore or tender
- fatigue
- headache
- sickness
- throw up
- cravings or aversions to food
- Increased depression
- increased frequency of urination
Unusual spotting or bleeding is quite common, and most people experience it at some point during their reproductive years. Bleeding or spotting is also common in early pregnancy. In most cases, it is nothing to worry about. However, always contact your healthcare provider if you notice any new spotting or bleeding.
Common causes of nonmenstrual bleeding include:
- drug: For example, hormonal birth control or hormonal treatment.
- Irregular ovulation: For example, due to hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid dysfunction.
- Vaginal atrophy: Thinning and dryness of the vaginal walls (usually occurs during perimenopause or menopause)
- vaginal erosion: Also called cervical ectropion, when cervical cells grow outside the cervix (usually occurs during perimenopause or menopause)
- Benign uterine polyps: Noncancerous tissue growth of the cervix
- Benign cervix and fibroids: Noncancerous tissue and muscle growths of the cervix or uterus
- Vaginal infections: For example, sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Endometriosis: When tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus
- Cervical cancer: Less common but important to rule out.
Implantation bleeding is not the only cause of bleeding during early pregnancy. You may also experience bleeding in early pregnancy due to hormonal changes that increase blood vessel development in the vaginal or cervical area.
For example, you may notice light bleeding or spotting after sex, or you may notice bleeding after a pelvic exam or Pap smear. If your healthcare provider tells you that this is due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, there is nothing to worry about.
However, sometimes early pregnancy bleeding is a sign of pregnancy loss (miscarriage) or other pregnancy concerns. Causes of early pregnancy vaginal bleeding include:
- Subchorionic hematoma: Blood may pool between the fetus' amniotic membrane and the uterine wall, causing complications (rare)
- Ectopic Pregnancy: The embryo develops inside the fallopian tubes rather than in the uterus, and this is considered a medical emergency.
- Gestational placental diseases: During pregnancy, abnormal cells grow outside the uterus, which is usually a benign condition.
Identifying implantation bleeding and distinguishing it from a menstrual period all comes down to timing. Implantation bleeding usually occurs about 1 to 2 weeks after ovulation, but not everyone knows when they ovulate. Tracking your cycle may help.
Calendar style
Using the calendar method is one way to find out when you are pregnant. Ovulation usually occurs about 14 days before your period. So you can calculate your typical menstrual period and work backwards. for example:
- If your menstrual cycle is usually 28 days, ovulation is likely to occur around day 14.
- If your menstrual cycle is short (e.g. 21 days), ovulation is likely to occur around day 7.
- If your period is closer to 35 days, you will likely ovulate around day 21.
Other signs of ovulation
Most people use a combination of the calendar method and other signs of ovulation to determine when they are pregnant and whether they may have implantation bleeding. Other signs of ovulation include:
- Increased cervical fluid similar to egg white
- increased energy
- increased libido
- one-sided cramps
- Spotting
- breast tenderness
If you have sex when these fertile signs appear, and if these fertile signs appear around the time when ovulation is expected, you may be pregnant. Then, if you have spotting or bleeding a week or two later, it may be a sign of pregnancy.
If you have signs of implantation bleeding and think you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test. However, implantation bleeding can occur about a week after conception, which is usually before your expected period. Home pregnancy tests may not tell you if you are pregnant. Most tests work best when you take them around the time of your expected period.
If your home pregnancy test result is negative and you haven't had your period yet, you can always wait and take a pregnancy test a few days later. Alternatively, you can visit your health care provider and get a pregnancy blood test. Your provider may also discuss symptoms of implantation bleeding.
Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This bleeding is usually light and spotty. It usually occurs about a week after conception, but light bleeding can occur even after one to two weeks after conception.
Implantation bleeding tends to occur before the expected period and the flow is much lighter than the average period. Implantation bleeding is common, but it is important to discuss any new or unusual bleeding with your health care provider.