Many people think that spotting or light bleeding outside of their period is implantation bleeding. While implantation bleeding is one reason why you might experience bleeding or spotting outside of your period, there are also many other reasons. Changes in hormones, birth control, and even stress can cause irregular bleeding. Spotting outside of your period doesn’t always mean you’re pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, the best way to know is to take a pregnancy test.
Implantation bleeding is a little bit of light bleeding or spotting that can happen about 10 to 14 days after getting pregnant. It’s normal and usually nothing to worry about.
Implantation bleeding happens when the fertilized egg sticks (implants) to the wall of the uterus. Implantation can cause tiny blood vessels in the lining of the uterus to break, which is why you might see some light bleeding.This usually happens around the time you would expect your period, but the bleeding is much lighter than a regular period and should only last a few days.
Implantation bleeding is very light and should just look like a little bit of spotting. Usually, you will notice a small spot in your underwear or on toilet paper when you wipe. If the bleeding is heavy, it might be a sign of a problem and is not normal for implantation bleeding.
Periods are pretty distinct from implantation bleeding. Colour, amount of blood, how long they last, when they each happen, and other side effects like cramping are all useful ways to tell the two apart. Remember: if you think you may be pregnant, the only way to know for sure is to take a pregnancy test and not rely on symptoms. Check out the chart below for a side by side on implantation bleedings vs. a typical period!
If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]
Last Edited: August 2024
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