Implantation Bleeding – Everything You Need To Know
Implantation bleeding can be hard to recognise, and it is sometimes confused with menstrual bleeding. This article will discuss what implantation bleeding is, how to recognise it, how to tell the difference between your period and implantation bleeding and more.
In this article:
- What is Implantation?
- What is Implantation Bleeding?
- What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like?
- How Heavy is Implantation Bleeding?
- When Does Implantation Bleeding Happen?
- How Long Does Implantation Bleeding Last?
- Implantation Bleeding Symptoms
- Early Pregnancy Symptoms – Other Signs that Implantation has Occurred
- How Long After Implantation Bleeding Can I Test?
- Other Causes of Bleeding
- Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs
- Can Implantation Bleeding Be Heavy?
- What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like in the Toilet?
- What is the Difference Between Implantation Bleeding and Your Period?
- Implantation Bleeding VS Ovulation Bleeding
- When Should I See My Doctor?
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What Can Cause Heavy Implantation Bleeding and a Positive Pregnancy Test?
What is Implantation?
Implantation is the process where a fertilised egg implants itself into the uterine lining.
After ovulation, the egg cell is released from one of the ovaries and eventually comes to rest in one of the fallopian tubes. It is in the fallopian tube that the egg cell can be fertilised.
Once fertilised, the fertilised egg travels down the fallopian tubes into the uterus, where it attaches itself to the uterine lining.
After implantation, the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin- or hCG- begins to rise. It is this hormone that is detected by pregnancy tests.
However, sometimes implantation can fail. To find out if implantation has failed, you can read our Implantation Failure Symptoms article.
What is Implantation Bleeding?
Implantation bleeding is the light bleeding or spotting that comes with implantation.
During the implantation process, the embryo’s movement may break down some of the tiny blood vessels within your uterus wall. This movement can cause some bleeding- known as implantation bleeding.
Implantation bleeding is experienced by around one-third of women. Some women mistake implantation bleeding with their periods and do not realise that they are pregnant!
What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like?
Implantation bleeding can resemble a much lighter version of your period. Implantation bleeding is usually pink or light brown in colour, but there may be a very small amount of light red bleeding when implantation first occurs.
Implantation bleeding should not appear with clots, as clots indicate heavy bleeding.
How Heavy is Implantation Bleeding?
Implantation bleeding is very light. It usually consists of a few spots of blood or a light flow of blood. Implantation bleeding should not soak the pad or panty liner.
Implantation bleeding should have a thin texture, or it may be mixed in with your cervical mucus, and it should contain no clots.
Do you have the following combination of symptoms?: Late Period, Negative Pregnancy Test & White Discharge. Click the link to find out why!
When Does Implantation Bleeding Happen?
Implantation bleeding typically occurs between 10 and 14 days after conception, but it can happen as early as 7 days after conception. To find out when implantation occurs, why not check out our article When Does Implantation Occur?
How Long Does Implantation Bleeding Last?
Implantation bleeding typically lasts for between a few hours and two days. However, some women have reported experiencing implantation bleeding for up to seven days.
Implantation Bleeding Symptoms
- Colour – Implantation bleeding is pink or brown in colour, or though it may contain bright red spots when implantation bleeding begins.
- Flow – Implantation bleeding can be described as very light spotting.
- Cramping – Implantation bleeding may be accompanied by cramping. Cramping caused by implantation is usually very mild and does not last very long.
- Consistency – Unlike your period, implantation bleeding has a very inconsistent flow. It can be described as intermittent light spotting.
- Duration – Implantation bleeding typically lasts between a few hours and 2 days, which is much shorter than the duration of most women’s periods.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms – Other Signs that Implantation has Occurred
There are several signs of successful implantation which you may experience. These are:
- Implantation Bleeding – Light vaginal bleeding or spotting that is experienced by around one-third of women, following implantation. It is usually one of the first pregnancy symptoms experienced by those women.Spotting after your period is likely to be implantation bleeding.
- Implantation Cramping – Implantation cramping is experienced by some women when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall. Implantation cramping is usually very mild.
- Implantation Dip – The “implantation dip” is a sudden dip in your temperature by a few tenths of a degree, that is caused by implantation. The implantation dip typically only lasts for one day.
- Missed Period – A missed period is usually one of the first symptoms which women notice- and it is the main indicator that makes women suspect pregnancy.
- Fatigue – This symptom is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms experienced by women. With all of the changes your body is going through, in preparation to grow a tiny human, it is no wonder that you are experiencing this symptom!
- Bloating – During early pregnancy, your hormone levels change quickly. These hormonal changes, namely the increase in progesterone, cause your digestive system to slow down. This slowing of the digestive system can cause a build-up of gas, bloating and constipation.
- Nausea – Just like bloating, nausea is caused by the sudden increase in progesterone, which causes the digestive system to slow down. This slowing down of the digestive system can cause nausea and even vomiting.
- Tender or Sore Breasts – Hormonal changes are also responsible for this symptom. This symptom can be uncomfortable, but thankfully, it usually subsides after a few weeks.
- Mood Swings – During early pregnancy, your hormones are here, there and everywhere. If you are feeling moodier or more emotional than usual, it may be a sign that implantation has occurred and that you are pregnant!
- Have you read our article, How to Help Implantation? It contains tips on how to maximise your chances of implantation successfully occuring.
How Long After Implantation Bleeding Can I Test?
If you are in the two-week wait to take a pregnancy test, it can certainly feel like an eternity. If you are eager to find out whether or not you are pregnant, you will most likely be wondering “How long after implantation bleeding occurs can I receive a positive pregnancy test?”
After implantation occurs, your hCG levels- which are responsible for giving you that positive pregnancy test result- begin to rise.
But how long after implantation does hCG rise to a high enough level?
For a urine home pregnancy test, it takes around 7 days for the hCG levels to become detectable. If you are taking a blood test, it takes around 4 – 5 days for the hCG levels to be high enough.
If take a pregnancy test and it comes back negative, and then your negative pregnancy test turned positive after several hours, it may be due to the time of day you took the test.
Other Causes of Bleeding
There are several other causes of bleeding. Vaginal bleeding is usually nothing to worry about, but it can be an indicator of something serious.
Sex – Sexual intercourse can cause irritation of the cervix, which may lead to bleeding. Sex can also trigger hormonal fluctuations, which may be responsible for the bleeding too.
Infection – Sexually transmitted diseases, such as trichomoniasis, can cause light vaginal bleeding or spotting.
Miscarriage – If you know you are pregnant, and you are experiencing pain and heavy bleeding, it may be a sign of a miscarriage. If you suspect you might be having a miscarriage, you should call your doctor immediately.
Ectopic pregnancy – Ectopic pregnancy is when an embryo implants outside of your uterus. Signs of an ectopic pregnancy include bleeding, cramping, pain in the tip of your shoulder and one-sided lower abdominal pain. Ectopic pregnancies can be serious, so it is important that you receive medical care as soon as possible.
Threatened Abortion – A threatened abortion is when vaginal bleeding occurs before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Most women who experience a threatened miscarriage continue on to have a normal, healthy pregnancy.
Fibroids and Polyps – These growths on your uterus can cause light bleeding.
Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs
Can Implantation Bleeding Be Heavy?
Implantation bleeding is usually light and only lasts for a very short period of time- between a few hours and two days. Implantation bleeding does not usually soak through a pad or tampon. (please note: if you suspect you might be pregnant, it is recommended not to use a tampon as it may introduce harmful bacteria into your body, which could harm the growing fetus).
It is, on very rare occasions, possible to experience heavy implantation bleeding. If you experience heavy implantation bleeding, it is a sign that you have an underlying bleeding disorder that affects your blood’s ability to clot.
How Can I tell the Difference Between Plan B Spotting and Implantation Bleeding?
Sometimes, when you take a Plan B pill, you may experience spotting or bleeding.
This can be confused with implantation bleeding.
Thankfully, there are a few differences between Plan B Spotting and implantation bleeding, including in the flow, colour, intensity of cramping, duration and consistency and incidence.
You can read more about how to tell the difference in our article, Plan B Spotting VS Implantation Bleeding
What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like in the Toilet?
In the toilet, you may notice a few light smears of pink or red blood on the toilet paper after you wipe. There would not be enough blood to change the colour of the toilet water.
What Can Cause Heavy Implantation Bleeding and a Positive Pregnancy Test?
If you have received a positive pregnancy test at this point, it is likely that the heavy bleeding that you are experiencing is not implantation bleeding.
A positive pregnancy test usually follows after implantation bleeding, not during.
If you are experiencing unusually heavy bleeding between periods, you should consult your health care provider.
What is the Difference Between Implantation Bleeding and Your Period?
Duration
A woman’s typical menstrual period is 5 days long, although they can last between 3 and 8 days.
Implantation bleeding usually lasts between a few hours and 2 days, and many women do not experience implantation bleeding at all.
Consistency and Flow
The period usually tends to be at its heaviest for the first 2 days. During the first two days, your menstrual bleeding will be bright red in colour. Towards the end of the period, the flow becomes lighter, and brown in colour. Women tend to lose between 5 to 12 teaspoons of blood throughout their period.
Implantation bleeding, on the other hand, is very light. Implantation bleeding can be described as intermittent bleeding- and often stops and starts.
Colour
Your menstrual period is usually bright red in colour, and then becomes brown towards the end of the period.
Implantation bleeding is usually pink or brown in colour.
Texture
A menstrual period sometimes contains clots. Implantation bleeding however, does not contain any clots or tissue.
Implantation bleeding texture is smooth with no lumps of tissue.
Symptoms
Implantation and menstrual periods often come with symptoms.
If you find that you are experiencing different symptoms this cycle, implantation may have occured.
Implantation symptoms include nausea, headaches, mood swings, fatigue, mild cramping, implantation bleeding and more.
Implantation Bleeding VS Ovulation Bleeding
What is the Difference Between Implantation Bleeding and Your Period?
Duration
A woman’s typical menstrual period is 5 days long, although they can last between 3 and 8 days.
Implantation bleeding usually lasts between a few hours and 2 days, and many women do not experience implantation bleeding at all.
Consistency and Flow
The period usually tends to be at its heaviest for the first 2 days. During the first two days, your menstrual bleeding will be bright red in colour. Towards the end of the period, the flow becomes lighter, and brown in colour. Women tend to lose between 5 to 12 teaspoons of blood throughout their period.
Implantation bleeding, on the other hand, is very light. Implantation bleeding can be described as intermittent bleeding- and often stops and starts.
Colour
Your menstrual period is usually bright red in colour, and then becomes brown towards the end of the period.
Implantation bleeding is usually pink or brown in colour.
Texture
A menstrual period sometimes contains clots. Implantation bleeding however, does not contain any clots or tissue.
Implantation bleeding texture is smooth with no lumps of tissue.
Implantation Bleeding VS Ovulation Bleeding – What is the Difference Between Ovulation Bleeding and Implantation Bleeding?
During ovulation, your estrogen levels decrease and your progesterone levels increase. These hormonal changes can cause light bleeding, called ovulation bleeding.
Ovulation bleeding occurs around the time you ovulate- so usually around mid-cycle (or 14 days into your cycle). You can use our ovulation calculator to help you to calculate when you will ovulate.
Implantation bleeding, as discussed throughout the article, is caused by the movement of the embryo implanting itself into the uterine wall, which causes tiny blood cells within the uterus wall to rupture. This can cause a light bleeding or spotting.
Implantation bleeding occurs around the same time that you expect your period.
When Should I See My Doctor?
If you are experiencing heavy bleeding or painful cramping in between periods, or if you are soaking through more than tampon or pad in an hour, you should seek medical attention.
Now that you have finished this article, why not check out our other article Does Plan B work during ovulation? or 5 weeks pregnant miscarriage.
My name is Louise and I am the Digital Marketing and Administrative Assistant at MyBump2Baby. I have been writing in the parenting niche for over 2 years specialising in fertility, pregnancy, baby and baby name support articles.