Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsImplantation BleedingDifferencesWhen to TestOther CausesWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Implantation Bleeding
Differences
When to Test
Other Causes
When to See a Provider
Menstrual bleeding is typically a consistent flow that lasts about two to seven days and may require several pad changes.Implantation bleedingtends to be more like spotting. It rarely lasts longer than three days and is usually light enough to require a panty liner or two.
This article takes a closer look at the difference between implantation bleeding vs. period bleeding. It explains the signs of early pregnancy to look out for and provides a list of other conditions that can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding.
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What Is Implantation Bleeding?
Implantation bleeding is light vaginal bleeding or spotting when a fertilized egg implants into the lining of the uterus (endometrium). It is a very early sign ofpregnancy.
It’s estimated that about 15% to 25% of pregnant people experience first-trimester bleeding.
How to Tell the Difference Between Implantation Bleeding and Period Bleeding
Implantation and period bleeding may appear similar, but some key differences exist:
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When to Take a Pregnancy Test
Taking apregnancy testone week after your missed period is best for the earliest detection. Pregnancy tests detect the hormonechorionic gonadotropin(hCG). This hormone is made when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. The production of hCG rapidly builds up each day in early pregnancy.
Will a Pregnancy Test Be Positive During Implantation Bleeding?
Implantation bleeding happens very early on in pregnancy. Because implantation bleeding happens before a missed period, a pregnancy test will likely not be able to detect the pregnancy yet. This is because the uterus does not start producing increased levels of hCG until the fertilized egg is attached to the endometrium, and the hCG level increases daily.
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Other Causes of Bleeding
Bleedingmay occur early or late in pregnancy. It may be harmless, or it could signal a serious problem. Bleeding in the first trimester happens in about 15 to 25 out of every 100 pregnancies.
In early pregnancy, an increase in blood vessels occurs in the cervix. This can raise the likelihood of light bleeding or spotting after sex or a pelvic exam.
Possible causes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy include:
Aside from pregnancy-related causes, other conditions that can cause vaginal bleeding include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Implantation bleeding is not serious and does not require medical care. However, it is important to alert your healthcare provider any time you experience bleeding when you are pregnant (or suspect you might be). Your provider will help you determine if your bleeding is concerning and requires medical care.
Generally speaking, it’s best to contact a healthcare provider any time you have unexpected vaginal bleeding. Reach out to a provider if you experience any of the following:
Summary
Implantation bleeding is light vaginal bleeding or spotting when a fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining. It often appears as a pink or rust-colored discharge. Implantation bleeding occurs around days 20 to 24 in a 28-day cycle.
Menstrual bleeding during your period is usually heavier and happens on the first day of your cycle. Period bleeding usually appears bright or dark red. To know if you are pregnant, take a pregnancy test about one week after your missed period.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Penn Medicine.Implantation bleeding or your period? How to spot the difference.Hendriks E, MacNaughton H, MacKenzie MC.First trimester bleeding: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(3):166-174.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.Committee opinion no 700: methods for estimating the due date.Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2017;129(5):e150-e154. doi:10.1097/aog.0000000000002046American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Your first period.Office on Women’s Health.Knowing if you are pregnant.Jain V, Chondankar RR, Maybin JA, Critchley HOD.Uterine bleeding: how understanding endometrial physiology underpins menstrual health.Nat Rev Endocrinol.2022;18(5):290–308. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00629-4Penn Medicine.5 myths about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Mount Sinai.Cervicitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Mounti Sinai.Cervical polyps.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What you should know about breakthrough bleeding with birth control.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Thyroid disease.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Penn Medicine.Implantation bleeding or your period? How to spot the difference.Hendriks E, MacNaughton H, MacKenzie MC.First trimester bleeding: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(3):166-174.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.Committee opinion no 700: methods for estimating the due date.Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2017;129(5):e150-e154. doi:10.1097/aog.0000000000002046American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Your first period.Office on Women’s Health.Knowing if you are pregnant.Jain V, Chondankar RR, Maybin JA, Critchley HOD.Uterine bleeding: how understanding endometrial physiology underpins menstrual health.Nat Rev Endocrinol.2022;18(5):290–308. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00629-4Penn Medicine.5 myths about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Mount Sinai.Cervicitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Mounti Sinai.Cervical polyps.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What you should know about breakthrough bleeding with birth control.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Thyroid disease.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Penn Medicine.Implantation bleeding or your period? How to spot the difference.Hendriks E, MacNaughton H, MacKenzie MC.First trimester bleeding: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(3):166-174.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.Committee opinion no 700: methods for estimating the due date.Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2017;129(5):e150-e154. doi:10.1097/aog.0000000000002046American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Your first period.Office on Women’s Health.Knowing if you are pregnant.Jain V, Chondankar RR, Maybin JA, Critchley HOD.Uterine bleeding: how understanding endometrial physiology underpins menstrual health.Nat Rev Endocrinol.2022;18(5):290–308. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00629-4Penn Medicine.5 myths about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Mount Sinai.Cervicitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Mounti Sinai.Cervical polyps.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What you should know about breakthrough bleeding with birth control.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Thyroid disease.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.
Penn Medicine.Implantation bleeding or your period? How to spot the difference.
Hendriks E, MacNaughton H, MacKenzie MC.First trimester bleeding: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(3):166-174.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.
Committee opinion no 700: methods for estimating the due date.Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2017;129(5):e150-e154. doi:10.1097/aog.0000000000002046
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Your first period.
Office on Women’s Health.Knowing if you are pregnant.
Jain V, Chondankar RR, Maybin JA, Critchley HOD.Uterine bleeding: how understanding endometrial physiology underpins menstrual health.Nat Rev Endocrinol.2022;18(5):290–308. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00629-4
Penn Medicine.5 myths about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Mount Sinai.Cervicitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Mounti Sinai.Cervical polyps.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What you should know about breakthrough bleeding with birth control.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Thyroid disease.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.
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