What Is Ovulation Bleeding?

Ovulation bleeding is minor spotting or light bleeding that happens around the time of ovulation (when a mature egg is released from the ovaries).  Unlike a period, spotting during ovulation is light in volume and can be light pink, red, or dark brown in color depending on blood flow.  It’s not common and studies show that only around 4.8% of people who menstruate experience it.      

How It Differs From Menstrual Bleeding

The main difference between ovulation bleeding and menstrual bleeding is the amount of blood.  Menstrual bleeding lasts for several days and has a higher volume whereas ovulation bleeding is considerably lighter than the average period.  

Typical Characteristics (Light Spotting, Pinkish or Brownish Color)

Spotting during ovulation is usually lighter in both volume and color than other bleeding.  Ovulation discharge typically includes other fluids which can influence the color.  Light pink, pinkish brown, or even brown discharge are all common for spotting during ovulation.  

Causes of Ovulation Bleeding 

Hormonal Changes

Fluctuating hormone levels are one of the primary causes of bleeding during ovulation.  The drop in estrogen right after ovulation causes some shedding of the uterus lining resulting in light bleeding.  This spotting is sometimes even referred to as estrogen breakthrough bleeding.  

Your menstrual cycle is the key driver of hormonal changes and one of the most accurate ways to track and predict ovulation is by tracking your hormones directly.  With an at-home hormone tracking device like Mira, you can track key hormone levels like estrogen (E3G), LH, progesterone (PdG), and FSH in a simple and non-invasive way.      

Follicle Rupture

Once an egg is properly developed and ready to be released for ovulation it needs to burst through the follicle structure that holds it.  When the follicle ruptures and releases the egg, a small amount of blood during ovulation may occur.  The rapid drop of estrogen after ovulation leads to shedding of the uterine lining.  Light blood in discharge but not having a period can result from the follicle rupture that released the egg during ovulation.  

Estrogen Surge

Estrogen surges in the days leading up to ovulation, but once the egg is released those levels drop.  This shift can cause spotting or ovulation bleeding.  Some doctors even refer to spotting during ovulation as estrogen breakthrough bleeding.  

Other Potential Medical Causes

Bleeding during ovulation is not usually a cause for concern, but there may be other potential medical causes that are causing your atypical bleeding.  Hormonal conditions like PCOS may cause irregular bleeding as well as a host of other factors like excessive exercise, stress, thyroid dysfunction, or even other medications.  

Thyroid hormone especially can impact ovulation bleeding and too much or too little might cause atypical bleeding.  Other potential causes include structural abnormalities like tumors, pituitary diseases, or even sexually transmitted infections.  

Symptoms of Ovulation Bleeding 

Timing in the Menstrual Cycle

Spotting during ovulation must occur around the time that you ovulate.  For most people this is midway through your menstrual cycle but this can vary from person to person and cycle to cycle.  Tracking your cycle can help you predict ovulation and know the timing of your cycle better.  

Color and Consistency of the Bleeding

The color and consistency of ovulation bleeding differs from that of a period.  It can range from light pink to red and even dark brown.  The consistency is slightly different as well since ovulation discharge contains other fluids, especially cervical mucus.  The volume of cervical mucus increases during the time of ovulation and has the look and feel of egg whites.  This combination is responsible for the color and consistency of your bleeding during ovulation.     

Associated Symptoms (Mild Cramping, Changes In Cervical Mucus)

Other symptoms of ovulation include light cramps, breast tenderness, libido changes, and mood swings.  In addition to spotting or blood during ovulation and the subsequent changes in cervical mucus, these changes are the most common signs and symptoms of ovulation.  

Diagnosing Ovulation Bleeding

How to Differentiate Between Ovulation Bleeding and Other Types of Spotting

Ovulation bleeding is typically lighter than a period, occurs midway through your cycle, and should only last a day or two.  If bleeding lasts longer than that, it’s considered abnormal and you should speak with your doctor immediately as it could be a sign of something more serious.    

When to Seek Support

If you are experiencing any of the following you should speak to your doctor:

• mid-cycle bleeding lasting longer than two days
• irregular bleeding unrelated to your period
• bleeding that is heavier than normal
• bleeding accompanied with abdominal pain and heavy cramping

Your healthcare provider is the best place to start, especially when you have serious concerns. 

Unlike a doctor who can provide medical advice or diagnosis, you may benefit from the advice of a fertility coach.  Fertility coaches offer practical, holistic guidance on all things lifestyle, nutrition, and general wellness surrounding fertility.  Mira’s own hormone health clinic has fertility coaches that can review your hormone levels, plan lifestyle adjustments to achieve hormone balance, and even create an actionable fertility plan to help you achieve your goals.     

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

If you experience atypical bleeding and are concerned that spotting during ovulation may be something more, there are a number of tests and procedures you may undergo.  Every individual is different and your doctor will determine what is best, but some common tests include ultrasounds, blood tests, and screening panels for infection.  

Ovulation Bleeding vs. Implantation Bleeding 

Key Differences Between Ovulation Bleeding and Implantation Bleeding

What’s known as implantation bleeding is when a fertilized egg implants itself into the lining of the uterus and a tiny bit of bleeding or light spotting occurs.  Sometimes called implantation spotting, this type of bleeding is usually brown or pink in color.  

The main difference between ovulation bleeding and implantation bleeding is timing.  Implantation is a critical step of pregnancy and for most people this happens between 6 to 12 days after ovulation.  Spotting during ovulation takes place around the time of ovulation in your cycle rather than after it.  

Timing and Symptoms Comparison

Implantation bleeding doesn’t happen for everyone, but if it does the timing is after ovulation.  Implantation bleeding is a result of a rapidly dividing cluster of cells attaching itself to the uterine lining and burrowing in for further growth.  It can take several days to complete and may cause slight bleeding along with other early pregnancy symptoms like cramping or sore breasts.    

Importance of Understanding These Differences for Fertility Tracking

Paying attention to your body and the signs and symptoms of ovulation can be helpful to know the difference between implantation bleeding and ovulation bleeding.  Every person will experience pregnancy differently and not all people will experience implantation bleeding or even ovulation bleeding.  This can make it difficult to tell why you are bleeding but the whole process is regulated by hormones.

If you are not tracking your cycle, regardless of your goals, it can be difficult to tell why you are bleeding and whether there is a cause for concern.  The whole process is regulated by hormones so when it comes to fertility tracking, precisely tracking your ovulation and fertile window with a fertility tracker such as Mira can help estimate when implantation occurs.  

Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle 

Tools and Apps Available for Tracking

There are many tools and apps available for tracking your menstrual cycle.  Whether you use an app, a calendar, OPKs, or a digital device each has their own pros and cons as well as price point.  

Digital fertility monitors like the Mira Hormone Monitor allow you to track your cycle as well as monitor ovulation and your fertility window with the help of a digital device.  Mira’s AI powered app learns the trends and patterns in your hormones over time, with lab grade accuracy.    You can test and track key fertility hormones like LH, E3G, PdG, and even FSH with our Ovum Wands.  

When to Worry About Ovulation Bleeding

Signs That May Indicate a Problem

Bleeding isn’t always normal and may indicate a problem.  If it’s not happening during ovulation, it could be a sign that something else isn’t right.  This is especially true if you experience severe or prolonged bleeding and should be checked out.  

Conditions That Could Be Mistaken for Ovulation Bleeding

Sometimes bleeding between periods can be mistaken for ovulation when in fact, another condition is the culprit.  PCOS, ectopic pregnancy, thyroid issues, perimenopause, bleeding disorders, and kidney or liver disease may all cause some type of bleeding.  Bleeding can also be a sign of infection or the result of injury or certain types of cancer.  

Importance of Regular Check-Ups

It can be hard to tell whether what you are experiencing is considered normal or not.  Tracking your cycle can be helpful not only for determining cycle length and the timing of ovulation, but it can often help your doctor or healthcare professional understand the cause of bleeding better.  Regular check ups and paying attention to the signs and signals from your body can help determine whether this is part of your normal cycle or a cause for concern.  

Mira’s Panorama Fertility Lab test is a simple blood test that screens your AMH, TSH, fT4, prolactin, and free testosterone hormones.  This test can help identify hormone imbalances or even provide a baseline for further testing.  

Managing Ovulation Bleeding 

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes

It may be impossible to prevent cramping during ovulation or even bleeding during ovulation but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer.  There are plenty of natural remedies or lifestyle modifications that can help like applying heat or using over-the-counter pain relief.  Staying active, being mindful of your diet, and relaxing can all help as well.  

Certain herbal remedies and supplements can even help with both the pain and the broader area of your reproductive health.  Mira’s Fertility Tea helps promote reproductive wellness, hormone balance, and overall health.        

When Medical Intervention Is Necessary

Most of the time you can manage ovulation bleeding and it isn’t something to worry about.  Sometimes it can be a sign of an underlying issue and if your pain or bleeding seems more severe than usual, trust your gut and seek treatment.  This is especially true if your symptoms are accompanied by heavy bleeding, fever, or nausea.  

Regular Monitoring and Follow-Up

It’s important to stay on top of your reproductive health and ovulation bleeding by scheduling regular check ups with your healthcare team for monitoring.  One of the most accurate ways to track and predict ovulation is by tracking your hormones directly.  This can be done with an at-home tracking device like Mira.  Not only do you get precise daily hormone readings with lab grade accuracy, but you can use this data over time to manage your reproductive health in a variety of ways, including tracking ovulation bleeding.  

If you are looking for more guidance with your ovulation or reproductive health in general, Mira’s own Hormone Health Coaches can help.  Our coaches have a depth of experience in fertility and can help assess your symptoms, analyze your hormone tests, and provide practical lifestyle guidance on how to manage your fertility.  

Please note: Mira’s fertility coaches do not provide diagnoses, treatment, or medication prescriptions. Our services are designed to offer education, promote well-being, and extend emotional support. 

Frequently Asked Questions