Ovulation Bleeding or Implantation Bleeding

A woman can interpret the biological signs of her body. Abdominal cramps, headaches, nausea, fatigue, etc. are all signs that indicate the start of Aunt Flow or menstruation cycle. But, these same symptoms occur as the early signs of pregnancy. This makes a woman very confused, especially if she is trying to conceive. On top of it, she is further confused by the terms - ovulation bleeding and implantation bleeding. They are two types of light bleeding experienced by very few women. Their occurrences indicate two very different biological processes occurring within the body. Let's find out by going through the differences between ovulation bleeding and implantation bleeding in the paragraphs below.

What is Ovulation Bleeding?
Ovulation bleeding is said to be very light bleeding that occurs during ovulation. It is an extremely rare occurrence that can be easily missed by most women. Those who are planning a pregnancy or carrying out fertility charting, may notice ovulation spotting. This bleeding occurs when the ovarian follicle ruptures. This occurs due to action of luteinizing hormone that helps weaken and rupture the ovarian follicle. This causes the formation of a stigma from where the egg escapes into the fallopian tubes. The rupture of the stigma causes residual blood to flow at this mid-cycle juncture. So, one may spot traces of this residual blood that is brownish or pinkish in color.

One way to know that it is ovulation bleeding and not implantation bleeding, is to examine your cervical mucus. You will find it to be transparent in color and very stretchy. It will appear just like egg white. During this time you may spot the ovulation bleeding. This is the most fertile period of your cycle and the best time to try to conceive. One ovulates during the luteal phase i.e., about 12 to 16 days before the next menstrual cycle. So, depending on your cycle, for example, a 30 day cycle, one may experience ovulation bleeding between the 14th to 16th day of their cycle.

What is Implantation Bleeding?
Implantation bleeding is also very light bleeding or spotting that one may experience. Just like ovulation bleeding, it is extremely rare to spot implantation spotting. If a woman has an intercourse after or during her ovulation period, there are high chances of fertilization. The fertilized egg then travels down to the uterus from the fallopian tubes. Here, it begins to penetrate the uterine lining endometrium. This helps it form a connection with the blood vessels of the woman's body. The connection formed will help the fertilized egg receive nutrition and oxygen for further development. When the egg is digging itself in the uterus and making itself comfortable to spend the next 9 months, it may cause some amount of bleeding. This bleeding is called implantation bleeding. The blood will be pinkish or brownish in color and you won't need a sanitary napkin to hold the bleeding.

Implantation bleeding generally occurs about a day or two before the menstrual period. On an average, the date of menstruation occurs about 14 days after ovulation. Thus, implantation bleeding will occur around 6 to 12 days after one undergoes ovulation. It will be different from menstruation bleeding as the color of the blood will not be bright red, rather it would be brownish. Also, your blood flow will be more like a light spotting, as opposed to the heavy flow of menstruation.

Difference Between Ovulation Bleeding and Implantation Bleeding
If one is confused between ovulation and implantation bleeding, one should look for two simple differences. Ovulation bleeding occurs about 14 days before your menstrual cycle date. Implantation bleeding occurs about a day or two before your menstruation date. This means implantation bleeding occurs about a week after ovulation. If you spot light pinkish or brownish colored spots during the middle of your menstrual cycle, then it probably indicates ovulation bleeding.

Ovulation bleeding is a fertility indicator, which tells you that this is the time you and your partner should try for a baby. Implantation bleeding, on the other hand is an early symptom of pregnancy. Both these occurrences are extremely rare and impossible to spot most of the time. Until and unless you are charting out your cycle, you will probably miss these bleeding occurrences. Both are metaphoric signs of fertility and pregnancy.

It is kind of 'mission impossible' to spot and differentiate between the two bleeding patterns. Just make sure you remember your menstrual dates. It will be very helpful in finding out whether you just experienced ovulation bleeding or implantation bleeding. Watch out for the subtle signs to know which biological phase your body has just entered.