What does implantation spotting look like compared to period? If you have been trying to conceive, seeing blood spots on your pad or toilet paper after wiping could be the good news you are pregnant.
However, there are many reasons that can cause scanty bleeding between periods. It is therefore important to know how to identify and differentiate the various types of spots.
Implantation discharge can highly mimic the menstruation flow especially during the first few days of the menstrual period when you have a lighter flow. Women who experience lighter periods are in most cases confused on when they start spotting.
Is it implantation bleeding or period?
[wpsm_box type=”dashed_border” float=”none” text_align=”left”] Implantation discharge is a bit different from the usual period blood in several ways. The basic difference between implantation bleeding vs. period is the amount of blood. A period will have more blood, while implantation only has light spotting (very little blood).[/wpsm_box]
Here’s the difference between implantation bleeding and period bleeding.
| Implantation bleeding | Period blood |
|---|---|
| Usually light pink or brownish in color. | Bright red in color. |
| Does not contain clots. | May contain a few clots and brown blood. |
| Bleeding starts light and ends light. | Menstruation starts light and gets heavier. |
| Spotting can come and go within a short period (shorter than your period usually lasts.) | Period flow continues for 4-7 days without stopping. |
| Accompanied by light abdominal pain. | Comes with intense cramps |
About 30% of women experience implantation bleeding during their childbearing age. However, most women confuse it with an early period.
- Spotting is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy for some women even before a missed period.
- The color of the spotting is lighter than that of your period. It is pinkish or merely a brownish discharge.
- It does not contain clots like your menstruation.
- It is not a heavy flow.
In most cases, spotting remains less light throughout until it clears. Below. We have included pictures to that show what implantation bleeding looks like on tissue paper and on a pad.
What is implantation bleeding?
Implantation bleeding is spotting or discharge as a result of a fertilized egg attaching itself to the interior of the uterine wall. A fertilized egg burrows to the lining of the uterus injuring the small vessels.
This process in most cases results to light pink spotting or bright red vaginal discharge. This is entirely normal, and no medical attention is needed.
Implantation symptoms
Before knowing what implantation bleeding looks like, it is important to know a few preliminaries. One of the earliest signs of pregnancy along with nausea and vomiting is implantation bleeding. This begins a few days before the next menstrual cycle. How can you identify that this spotting from an implanting egg? Here are signs to watch for:
- Pink or brownish discharge
- Mild abdominal cramping
- A slight headache.
- Mood swings in some women.
These symptoms are also signs your period is about to start. Some women may confuse implantation discharge with scanty period blood when indeed they have conceived.
How it looks like on toilet paper
If you have seen spotting on the toilet paper after your last visit to the bathroom, chances are that it may be implantation blood or a period. But what does implantation bleeding look like on toilet paper?
Implantation spotting will not consist of distinct layers as a period does. You are likely to find small spots on a toilet paper or pad.
This is usually a pinkish or brownish discharge in case you use a toilet paper. Unless you have other underlying medical conditions, your implantation spotting should remain light on pad or tissue paper. You may find these dots or small spurts of blood on your panties.
On a pad
Here are pictures of implantation spotting on a pad and on tissue paper. See the difference with period blood on a pad or tampon.
When does spotting occur?
When should I expect implantation bleeding? Implantation discharge typically occurs 6 to 12 days after ovulation. Women are different. Some might not even notice implantation while in others it can last for a few days 10 to 14 days after ovulation has occurred. It might take longer in others.
This is the same time that your period is due. Implantation occurs after ovulation and fertilization have taken place.
- For this same reason, implantation bleeding gets many women confused.
- It can be disappointing for those trying to get pregnant and also those not wishing for pregnancy.
- If you see little bright red or light pink blood six to 12 days after your ovulation, it could mean you are pregnant.
- Such a characteristic is one of the first signs of pregnancy before a missed period.
Implantation bleeding occurs way before even pregnancy is confirmed. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormone is not detectable in urine until after the embryo has embedded in the uterus and made early developments of the placenta. The placenta then produces the hormone.
If you have implantation spotting but negative pregnancy test, this is the reason for it. Most women will try to take a pregnancy test but this is the reason why implantation bleeding is in most cases assumed to be an early period.
Other symptoms of implantation
Most women experience cramping accompanied by light bleeding as the main symptom. This usually happens during implantation. Here are other signs that might prompt you that implantation has occurred.
- Nausea: Most women develop morning sickness, which is well known to be one of the early signs of pregnancy. There is a version of distinct smells, which leads to nausea and even vomiting.
- Sore breasts: Progesterone, a hormone of gestation increases right after implantation making the breast tissue tender and fuller in preparation for breastfeeding.
- Mood swings: The sudden increase and a decrease in particular hormones cause significant changes in motions. You may feel happy one moment and anxious the next.
- Frequency in visiting the toilet: During pregnancy, the body’s smooth muscles weaken as a result of hormonal changes. This in return causes frequent urination, bloating and even constipation.
- Unexplained fatigue and dizziness: Hormonal changes during early pregnancy cause anxiety and stress. Insomnia in the majority of women is the main reason for tiredness. Your body’s increased energy demand can lead to dizziness as well.
Signs of successful implantation
After fertilization, the egg travels to the uterus where it implants itself. This process takes nine days. In case implantation fails, the egg is usually flushed out of the uterus as a period.
Successful implantation tends to have similar signs with the menstrual period. One chief sign of successful implantation is cramping which may last up to 5 days with or without minimal light pink bleeding.
After a missed period
In other but fewer cases, women have experienced spotting after their missed period. Bleeding after a missed period might be presumed to be an early next menstruation. However being able to know your body well by paying close attention to your cycles will save you the agony in the long run.
It’s best to test your urine in the morning for pregnancy when the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormone (HCGH) is highest.
Other causes of bleeding in women
Vaginal bleeding is termed as abnormal if it occurs;
- When you are not expecting your period
- During pregnancy
- After menopause
- Before puberty
The causes of abnormal spotting or bleeding that does not relate to implantation include the following:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: This is a common problem with the ladies in children bearing age. A strange hormonal imbalance occurs causing interference with the normal ovulation hence bleeding.
Contraceptives: Birth control pills and contraceptive shots alter the normal functioning of the hormones. However, bleeding takes place in between periods and also when pills are not taken regularly.
Intrauterine Contraceptive device (IUCD): This method of birth control has shown to increase a woman’s period flow and induce spotting at any particular time in the cycle.
Infections: Sexually transmitted infections are the leading cause of bleeding from the pelvic organs. Bleeding in the case of an infection usually occurs after intercourse or douching.
Other rare causes include
- Injuries secondary to sexual abuse.
- Urethral prolapse or polyps
- Cancer of the cervix or vagina
- Excessive exercises which alter your hormonal function.
When to consult a doctor
In the majority of women, implantation bleeding is the first sign of pregnancy that usually points out to a successful conception. While other women experience this spotting it should be notable that this does not occur in some women. Visit your doctor when the following happens
- Bleeding more than three days. Implantation bleeding in most cases lasts up to two days. After pregnancy confirmation test excessive bleeding might indicate a molar pregnancy or a possible miscarriage. Visit your doctor immediately for examinations and evaluations.
- Severe cramping: Implantation cramping is usually mild and does not last long. See your doctor when cramping gets intense and does not look like implantation bleeding.
More pictures of implantation bleeding
Here are more pictures to look at.
[wpsm_toggle title=”List of sources and references”]
- How to recognize implantation bleeding (June 2015): http://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-Implantation-Bleeding
- Frank J. Domino (2007) The 5-Minute Clinical Consult 2007: Page 1302, Vaginal Bleeding During Pregnancy