Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH and by How.com.vn staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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For many women, a little spotting or light bleeding can be one of the first signs of pregnancy. Although it doesn’t happen with every pregnancy, this bleeding can occur when a fertilized egg implants in the lining of your uterus because small veins break. It’s often tricky to tell implantation bleeding apart from the start of your period, but there are tell-tale differences you can look out for—for example, implantation bleeding tends to be much lighter and last for a shorter time than menstrual bleeding. You can also watch for other early pregnancy symptoms, but the only sure way to know is to take a pregnancy test and see your doctor.
Steps
Look for bleeding that starts a few days before your expected period. Implantation bleeding typically happens around 6-12 days after you conceive. Usually, this means that any bleeding will happen within 1 week of the expected date of your next period.[1]- Any bleeding that happens before or after that window of time is less likely to be implantation bleeding, but it’s not impossible. The time it takes for implantation to occur can vary.
Tip: If you have regular menstrual cycles, you may find it helpful to track them so that you know when your next period is likely to start. If you’re not sure how long your typical cycle is, it can be harder to judge whether you’re experiencing implantation bleeding or the start of your period.
Check for a light pink or brown color. Menstrual bleeding may start out brown or light pink, but it typically progresses to a bright or dark red flow within a day or so. Implantation bleeding typically stays brown or pink, however.[2]- Keep in mind that implantation bleeding doesn’t look the same for all women, though. In some cases, you may experience brighter blood that looks more like the early part of your menstrual flow.
- If you do experience bright red bleeding and you know or suspect that you are pregnant, see a doctor as soon as possible. They can help you identify or rule out any serious causes for your bleeding.
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Keep an eye out for a light flow with no clots. In most cases, implantation bleeding is very light—more like spotting than actual bleeding. Typically, you should not notice any clots or clumps of blood with implantation bleeding.[3]- You may notice a steady but light flow of blood, or you might just see occasional traces of blood in your underwear or on the toilet paper when you wipe.
Expect the bleeding to last no more than 3 days. Another characteristic of implantation bleeding is that it lasts for a relatively short time—anywhere from a few hours to about 3 days. A period usually lasts a bit longer, running on average for 3-7 days (although this can vary a lot from one person to another).[4]- If the bleeding lasts longer than 3 days, even if it’s lighter than usual, it may be your period.
Take a home pregnancy test a few days after the bleeding stops. You can experience vaginal bleeding for a lot of different reasons. The best way to be sure if you’ve been having implantation bleeding is to take a home pregnancy test. Most of these tests work best a few days after the expected first day of your next period, so wait at least 3 days after your bleeding stops to take one.[5]- You can buy home pregnancy tests at most pharmacies. If you can’t afford to buy one, do a search for clinics or health centers near you that offer free pregnancy testing.
Make note of light uterine cramps. Implantation bleeding is often accompanied by mild cramping, which is usually lighter than what you might expect with your period. This cramping might feel like a dull ache in your lower abdomen, or you may feel prickling, pulling, or tingling sensations.[6]- If you experience sharp pains or intense cramps and you’re not having your period, see your doctor to rule out any serious underlying causes.
Check for tender, enlarged breasts. Breast changes are a very common sign of early pregnancy. Around the same time that you experience implantation bleeding, you might notice that your breasts feel sore, heavy, swollen, or tender to the touch. They might also look larger than usual.[7]- In addition to overall tenderness in your breasts, you may notice that your nipples are unusually sensitive to the touch.
See if you feel unusually tired. Another common symptom of early pregnancy is fatigue. You may feel extremely sleepy even after a good night’s rest, or find that you tire more quickly and easily than usual.[8]- Early pregnancy fatigue can be very severe, sometimes making it difficult for you to work or carry out other normal day-to-day activities.
- Reader Poll: We asked 164 How.com.vn readers about signs of pregnancy, and 55% of them agreed that they usually attribute feeling tired to a lack of sleep or poor sleep quality. [Take Poll]
Look out for nausea, vomiting, or changes in appetite. Although it’s called “morning sickness,” nausea and food aversions are not restricted to any one time of the day or night. While these symptoms usually set in about a month into pregnancy, you might notice them earlier.[9]- Not everyone experiences these symptoms, so don’t rule out pregnancy just because you haven’t felt sick to your stomach.
- You might find that certain foods or smells trigger nausea symptoms, or that your appetite is reduced.
Watch for changes in your mood. The rapid hormone changes that you experience in early pregnancy can affect how you feel emotionally.[10] If you’re noticing physical pregnancy symptoms, also keep an eye out for emotional and mental ones, such as:- Mood swings
- Unexplained sadness or crying
- Irritability and anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
Notice headaches or dizziness. The rapid changes in your body early in pregnancy can leave you feeling generally under the weather, causing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or faintness. You may even experience a slightly elevated body temperature, which can cause you to feel like you’re fighting off the beginnings of a cold or flu.[11]Did you know? Nasal congestion is an often-overlooked early pregnancy symptom. This is caused by the increased flow of blood to your nasal passages.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have unusual spotting. Whether or not you get a positive pregnancy test, it’s important to see a doctor if you have spotting outside your period. Make an appointment with your regular doctor or a gynecologist so they can examine you and discover the possible cause of your bleeding.[12]- Aside from implantation bleeding, vaginal bleeding can be a symptom of a variety of other conditions, such as a hormone imbalance, an infection, irritation from sexual intercourse, or certain types of cancer.[13]
- It's especially important to see your doctor if you're bleeding heavily and know you're pregnant. Try not to worry because it's possible nothing is wrong.
Tip: While some causes of vaginal bleeding between periods can be serious, try not to worry. Most light bleeding or spotting isn’t a cause for concern.
Tell them about any other symptoms you are having. When you see your doctor, they will likely ask you questions about your overall health, any other symptoms you’re experiencing, and whether you are currently sexually active. Give them as much information as you can so that they can give you the most accurate possible diagnosis.[14]- Let your doctor know about any medications you are currently taking. Some medications, such as hormonal birth control pills, can cause bleeding or spotting between periods.
Ask for a pregnancy test in your doctor’s office. Even if you’ve taken a pregnancy test at home, it’s a good idea to get one in the doctor’s office, as well. They can help rule out or confirm a pregnancy as the cause of your bleeding or other symptoms. Let your doctor know that you think you might be pregnant and would like a test.[15]- Your doctor may take a urine or blood sample to test for pregnancy.
Consent to further tests if your doctor recommends it. If you test negative for pregnancy or your doctor suspects something else may be going on, they may want to run further tests. Either way, they will probably want to do a physical and a pelvic exam to make sure your reproductive organs look healthy. Additionally, they might recommend:[16]- A pap smear to check for cervical cancer or other abnormalities in your cervix
- Tests to check for sexually transmitted infections
- Blood tests to check for hormonal or endocrine problems, such as thyroid conditions or polycystic ovary syndrome
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Not everyone experiences implantation bleeding with pregnancy. In fact, it only happens about one third of the time.[17] If you haven’t had any spotting but are experiencing other symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, or a missed period, you may still be pregnant.Thanks
Tips from our Readers 
- Sometimes "spotting" may occur if you are sexually active. Spotting after you're sexually active can signify different things, like your hymen breaking, vaginal dryness, or an inflamed cervix.
- Always wait until you've missed a period to take a pregnancy test; otherwise, the results could be wrong leaving you feeling upset or falsely relieved.
References
- ↑ https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/what-is-implantation-bleeding/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24536-implantation-bleeding
- ↑ https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/what-is-implantation-bleeding/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24536-implantation-bleeding
- ↑ https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/what-is-implantation-bleeding/
- ↑ https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Bleeding-or-pain-in-early-pregnancy
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24536-implantation-bleeding
- ↑ https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs
- ↑ https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs
- ↑ https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs
- ↑ https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/abnormal-uterine-bleeding/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007496.htm
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/abnormal-uterine-bleeding/
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/abnormal-uterine-bleeding/
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/abnormal-uterine-bleeding/
- ↑ https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/what-is-implantation-bleeding/
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
To recognize implantation bleeding, work out if your bleeding is early, since this usually occurs a few days before your expected period. In general, notice the color of your blood, as implantation bleeding usually stays a light pink or brown color instead of turning red after a few days. If you have a light flow with no clots, this may also be an indication of implantation bleeding. You should also expect the bleeding to last no more than 3 days if you are pregnant. The best way to be sure is to take a home pregnancy test a few days after the bleeding stops for the most accurate results. For more tips, including how to recognize other early signs of pregnancy, read on!
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