Light vaginal bleeding which happens midway between periods is known as ovulation bleeding. It may take you by surprise, and make you think it is an extra period. Scroll down to know about its causes and how to deal with it.
The duration of ovulation is normally not more than two days. There are chances of a woman experiencing vaginal bleeding during this phase, in the middle of two menstrual cycles. However, such bleeding differs from the menstrual one. The color of bleeding during ovulation may vary from pink to red. At the same time, it is not as heavy as the menstrual flow.
Causes
Every woman experiences different symptoms during ovulation. The most common symptoms include breast tenderness, nausea, bloating, increased sex drive, lower abdominal pain, etc. But in some rare cases, vaginal bleeding has also been observed. The causes of such bleeding may vary. In most of the cases, the cause of ovulation bleeding is often not clear.
- In some cases, decline in the estrogen levels of the body, before ovulation, leads to such bleeding. This is a normal condition in the entire menstrual cycle.
- Sometimes, due to some hormones, the ovaries may produce a number of follicles, which contain an immature egg. Out of the many follicles produced, only one follicle matures. In the process of maturing and bursting out of the egg from the follicle, the bleeding occurs.
- If a woman has started taking birth control pills, it can cause bleeding or spotting between the menstrual cycles. This is normally seen in the first few cycles after starting the birth control pills or any other hormonal birth control measures.
- If a woman experiences bleeding during ovulation after miscarriage, it can be due to the hormonal changes that have taken place in the body in the last couple of months as the body was preparing itself for a full term pregnancy.
- In case of fibroid tumors, which are not cancerous, in the uterine wall, there are chances of light bleeding, just before, during, or right after ovulation.
- The other possibility is due to polyps on the uterus. This bleeding happens between periods, during the ovulation phase.
- Among other causes, irregular functioning of the thyroid glands ranks the highest.
- Infection in the vagina or the cervix can also lead to bleeding around the time of ovulation.
- The use of intrauterine device (IUD) can also lead to vaginal bleeding.
- If the woman experiences severe bleeding, and it becomes a common phenomena for months, it can be due to endometriosis. This is a serious condition which will need further examination.
Treatment
If the bleeding is caused due to birth control pills, you will need to talk to your healthcare professional, as there are chances of requiring a change in the pills. Sometimes, the doctor may prescribe extra pills or an estrogen-only birth control pill. If the bleeding was a one-time occurrence, you may not want to take it too seriously. However, if it happens more than once, you should not let it pass without proper medical investigation. You will have to make an appointment with your healthcare professional to rule out any other serious conditions. In such a case, a physical examination, and a few tests might be conducted by the doctor.
Many times, it is seen that women who are planning their pregnancy take a cue from ovulation spotting to determine their most fertile days for engaging in sexual intercourse. The closer the intercourse is timed with ovulation, the better it is, as the chances of conceiving are higher.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and not intended to replace the advice offered by a medical expert.
