Spotting during ovulation: everything you need to know!

Are you experiencing light bleeding when your period isn't supposed to come for two weeks? This is called spotting.

What is ovulation spotting?

Ovulation is a natural phenomenon that usually occurs around the 14th day of the cycle in women who are not taking hormonal contraception. While the majority of women experience ovulation without being aware of it, some women may experience mild symptoms during ovulation.

These may include pain in the lower abdomen, a change in the appearance of the white discharge: it may become more elastic, transparent, similar to egg whites, but also sometimes a slight discharge of blood, more commonly known as spotting.

They can sometimes be mistaken for menstruation. It is estimated thatabout 5% of women experience spotting during ovulation. However, spotting discharges are different from menstrual flow. They are less abundant and mostly darker. You should know that it is also possible toovulate during your periodalthough this is rare!

Why does bleeding occur during ovulation?

If bleeding occurs during ovulation, it is for a very specific reason: it is due to the expulsion of the oocyte (or the future egg) from the ovarian follicle. During this release, the follicle breaks off abruptly in the ovary, which can lead to bleeding, called spotting.

Blood loss during ovulation can also be due to the significant hormonal fluctuations during this period: during ovulation, progesterone levels increase to support and strengthen the endometrium. But if the progesterone level is not high enough when estrogen production decreases, then light bleeding may occur.

This can be a sign of ovulation to consider when calculating your cycle.

Is ovulation spotting something to worry about?

Ovulation spotting is a completely natural phenomenon that occurs in some women. The duration and amount of spotting varies from woman to woman, but it should never last more than a few days or be too heavy. Otherwise, it may be a sign of an underlying condition.

If regular bleeding that is heavier than spotting occurs outside of the menstrual period, it is best to consult a specialist to make sure there is no underlying cause.

Differentiating between ovulation and non-ovulation bleeding

Bleeding can occur at different times in the cycle.

Ovulation spotting and implantation spotting

The implantation spotting also called implantation bleeding, is different from ovulation spotting because it occurs in the second half of the cycle. It occurs 6 to 12 days after fertilization. Implantation is when the egg comes to nestle in the wall of the uterus, whereas before it was in the fallopian tube. The implantation spotting only lasts 1 to 2 days maximum. It should not be confused with menstruation. Nidation bleeding is usually lighter.

About 1 in 4 pregnancies will have an implantation spotting. This can be a sign of pregnancy! Don't worry: nidation spotting is not a sign of a complication for your pregnancy.

There are also pregnancy spottings: these are spottings that occur every month during the first 3 months of pregnancy, on the expected date of your period. They are also called anniversary periods. Again, don't worry, this bleeding has no impact on the progress of the pregnancy.

However, if you notice heavier bleeding that lasts, consult your doctor, midwife or gynecologist.

Ovulation bleeding and menstruation

Spotting should not be confused with a period.

Spotting is bleeding that lasts only a few days (1 or 2) and is very light. The blood loss appears 14 days before the supposed arrival of the period. This is how not to confuse ovulation bleeding with menstruation.

How to prevent ovulation spotting?

In case of spotting, even if the flow is not very abundant and it is only a few drops, it can be interesting to protect your underwear to avoid staining it.

The menstrual panties are a very good solution in case of spotting. It allows you to absorb and protect yourself during the different moments of your cycle, you can also use it in case of heavy white discharge for example.

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Is it necessary to consult for bleeding during ovulation?

It is not necessary to consult in case of spotting, as bleeding during ovulation is not serious. But in some cases, for example:

• If it lasts more than ten days;
• If you bleed regularly;
• If you have pain and cramps;
• If you have had unprotected sex.

Consult your doctor or health care professional. Only your doctor can suggest a suitable treatment or tests to make sure there is no pathology.

Ovulation spotting FAQ

Is it normal to bleed during ovulation?

What are the other symptoms of spotting during ovulation?