In the daily lives of women, some signs that occur throughout the menstrual cycle often go unnoticed or seem unimportant, especially when a woman is not actively trying to conceive. When a woman becomes a hopeful mom-to-be and starts her quest for a positive pregnancy test, every different sign in the cycle is welcome, and any method that helps her identify when the chances of conception are higher is even more welcome. One of these lesser-known but highly anticipated signs among women trying to conceive is ovulation bleeding. But is ovulation bleeding normal? When does it happen, and how can you be sure it’s the ovulatory period? We will clarify these and other doubts about this topic in this article, but first, let’s understand what ovulation actually is.
What is Ovulation?
Ovulation is the name given to one of the phases of the menstrual cycle, which usually occurs only once per month in each cycle1. Ovulation happens due to hormonal changes that stimulate the ovary to release an egg to be fertilized by a sperm, leading to pregnancy. This process usually takes place 12 to 16 days before the next period.
As ovulation approaches, the body increases production of estrogen, which is responsible for lining the uterus in preparation for a possible pregnancy, initially creating a favorable environment for sperm survival. With this sudden increase in estrogen, another hormone called LH (luteinizing hormone) is triggered, causing the ovary to release an egg, a process known as ovulation.
Because this process is directly linked to a woman’s hormone levels, it triggers significant changes throughout the body, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms during this phase of the cycle. The well-known symptoms of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) include, among them, ovulation bleeding, which is not very common.
Why Does Ovulation Bleeding Occur?
As mentioned above, all women of reproductive age who are not using any hormonal contraceptive method that interrupts ovulation go through ovulation or PMS symptoms as they are popularly called. Some experience these symptoms more intensely than others, but the truth is that, mildly or severely, they always occur due to the drastic hormonal changes in the female body.
Specifically, ovulation bleeding occurs due to a sudden drop in estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle2. We can only call it “bleeding” because there truly is blood, but in fact, the quantity is so small that it could be called ovulation spotting. Because this bleeding is so minimal, some women don’t even notice it happening, as it goes unnoticed when wiping after using the bathroom.
This light bleeding can appear brown, red, or pink and usually shows up as stains on underwear or toilet paper. Contrary to what many women think, ovulation bleeding does not indicate something wrong with your cycle or hormonal imbalance; it is just one of the symptoms the body might display during this transition within the cycle.
If bleeding during ovulation is heavy and causing pain or discomfort, talk to your gynecologist for evaluation. It’s common for some women to feel ovulation pain, but only as a mild twinge, nothing severely painful. Therefore, if you experience anything excessive, it’s important to consult your gynecologist for monitoring.
Main Symptoms of Ovulation
The most common ovulation symptoms experienced by most women every cycle, often in a very uncomfortable way, are:
- Swollen and sore breasts;
- Headaches;
- Mood swings;
- Abdominal bloating;
- Cramps;
In addition to these frequent symptoms, some women also experience increased appetite, especially cravings for sweets, increased libido, acne outbreaks, nausea, and weight gain, often due to bloating. But the most characteristic and anticipated symptom for women trying to conceive during ovulation is fertile mucus, which becomes more obvious, abundant, clear, and stretchy, resembling raw egg whites during this period. This mucus takes on these characteristics specifically to improve vaginal lubrication and also to help sperm move more easily toward the egg3.
Another very common ovulation symptom is the rise in body temperature, also known as basal temperature among women trying to conceive. Due to changes in progesterone levels, the body reacts with a slight increase in temperature, which can be checked with proper thermometers, indicating when ovulation is near, occurring, or already finished.
How to Identify Ovulation?
By understanding the signs of ovulation, it is possible to identify when it is happening. Unfortunately, not all women have these symptoms clearly or every cycle. So how can you identify ovulation to increase your chances of conception or even to prevent an unwanted pregnancy?
Several tracking methods are very effective for this purpose. The most reliable include: checking cervical mucus, noticing changes in libido, using a calendar method (cell phone apps can be used), and the most accurate of all, ovulation tests.
Fertile mucus during this period is more stretchy and women tend to feel wetter, with increased libido. You can check mucus by using your fingers to see if it “stretches”. The calendar method, even easier with the help of mobile apps, is one of the most commonly used ways of tracking cycles, and if your cycle is regular, it can reliably indicate your ovulatory period.
But among all the options, the ovulation test is the safest way to detect and confirm that ovulation is taking place. By knowing your likely fertile days, you can use ovulation tests to see when ovulation is about to occur, is happening, or has already ended. It is a big help for women trying to conceive, and at a low cost, since ovulation tests can be found at very affordable prices. Good luck!
