What Does Ovulation Bleeding & Spotting Mean for Your Health?

 

Ovulation Bleeding & Spotting

When I talk about vaginal bleeding with my patients, most women think about their monthly periods. In addition to menstruation, around 5-13% of women experience bleeding or spotting in between cycles. There are a number of reasons why this happens. Most of the time it’s nothing to worry about, but other times it may indicate a gynaecological problem, hormone imbalance or even pregnancy. So let’s talk about ovulation bleeding and spotting, how it is different from your period, and what it means for your health.

What is ovulation bleeding and spotting?

Ovulation occurs when the egg is release from the ovary. Leading up to ovulation, estrogen levels rise preparing for the follicle to release. Ovulation bleeding is typically caused my a slight drop is estrogen levels right before ovulation, which can trigger the endometrium lining to shed a little, resulting in minor spotting. Only about 5% of women experience ovulating bleeding. This type of spotting is light bleeding that occurs within 1-2 days of ovulation. Some women experience it monthly, while others will only experience it every now and then. Some women do not experience ovulation spotting at all.

Ovulation bleeding is much lighter than a normal period. The spotting can be so light that the blood is mixed with cervical mucus, rathe than free flowing. This creates a light pink or dark brown appearance to your cervical mucus. Whether you get ovulation bleeding or not, you can still get pregnant, as long as you are ovulating.

What is implantation bleeding?

Spotting after ovulation may be a sign of pregnancy, known as implantation bleeding. It happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the endometrial lining of the uterus, and nestles into the tissue. Implantation bleeding occurs about one week after ovulation, as it takes seven days for a fertilized egg to travel through the Fallopian tube, down to the uterine lining to implant.

Implantation bleeding is light spotting. The blood mixed with cervical mucus to clear a light pink to dark brown appearance. This kind of spotting can last from 12-48 hours. Only one third of women experience implantation bleeding as an early sign of pregnancy. Even if you don’t get implantation bleeding you could still be pregnant.

Other causes of spotting

If your spotting is related to ovulation or implantation this is not harmful, and do not require treatment. However, if you have questions about it, make sure you ask your healthcare provider.

If your mid-cycle bleeding is not related to ovulation or implantation it may have another underlying cause that requires more attention:

  • Infections

    • Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (yeast), Sexually transmitting infections (STIs)

  • Fibroids and polyps

  • Sexual intercourse and tissue irritation

  • Abnormal changes in cervical cells

  • Contraceptives (birth control pill, IUDs and other hormonal contraceptives)

  • Bleeding disorders

  • Other conditions

Spotting or bleeding related to ovulation, implantation, or periods is harmless. However, if you experience unusual, frequent, or heavy bleeding seek medical advice! Tracking your cycle may help you and your doctor identify the cause of your bleeding.

Have you been spotting throughout your cycle? Book a visit

Take care, 

Dr. Laura Nicholas, ND 

This content is not intended to be substituted or interpreted as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health concern. Please book a consultation with me or a qualified healthcare professional before acting on any information presented here.

References

  • Dasharathy SS, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, Perkins NJ, Mattison DR, Wactawski-Wende J, Schisterman EF. Menstrual bleeding patterns among regularly menstruating women. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2012 Feb 20;175(6):536–45.

  • Rowland AS, Baird DD, Long S, Wegienka G, Harlow SD, Alavanja M, Sandler DP. Influence of medical conditions and lifestyle factors on the menstrual cycle. Epidemiology. 2002 Nov 1;13(6):668-74.

  • Twiss JJ. A new look at abnormal uterine bleeding. Nurse Pract. 2013 Dec 10;38(12):22–30.

  • Dickey RP. Managing contraceptive pill patients. 15th ed. Fort Collins, CO: EMIS, Inc. Medical Publishers; 2014.

 
Women's Health, Gynecology, FertilityLaura Nicholas1 Comment