Looking for Common Implantation Bleeding Symptoms
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.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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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). 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. 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.
Checking for Other Signs of Pregnancy
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. 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. 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. Early pregnancy fatigue can be very severe, sometimes making it difficult for you to work or carry out other normal day-to-day activities.
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. 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. 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.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.
Getting a Medical Diagnosis
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.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. 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. 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.
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. 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. 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: 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
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