Symptoms
Is it implantation bleeding or my period?
Implantation bleeding is a very light bleed or a little spotting around the time your period is due, and it is one of the early signs of pregnancy. A period usually lasts about 5 days and is heaviest in the first 2. You can’t reliably tell them apart by looking, so take a pregnancy test.
What does a typical period look like?
The NHS says a period usually lasts about 5 days and tends to be heaviest in the first 2. At its heaviest the blood is red, and on lighter days it may be pink or brown.
How do a period and implantation bleeding compare?
| Period | Implantation bleeding | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | About 20 to 90ml in all, heaviest in the first 2 days | Very light, with some spotting or only a little blood |
| Timing | About every 21 to 35 days | Around the time your period is due |
| Length | Usually about 5 days, 2 to 7 | The NHS gives no length; many health sites say it stops within a day or two |
| Colour | Red when heaviest, pink or brown on lighter days | The NHS gives no colour; many health sites say pink or brown |
Treat the last two rows of the right-hand column as common descriptions, not a test. Only a pregnancy test tells you.
What is implantation bleeding?
The NHS lists it as one of the early signs of pregnancy: a bleed similar to a very light period, with some spotting or only a little blood, around the time your period is due. Not everyone has it, and not everyone who has a light bleed is pregnant.
How can I find out which it is?
Take a pregnancy test. It is most reliable from the first day of a missed period. If you don’t know when your period was due, test at least 21 days after unprotected sex. A negative result is less reliable than a positive, so test again a few days later if your period still hasn’t come.
What else can cause light bleeding?
Hormonal contraception, polyps, fibroids and infections can all cause bleeding between periods. See spotting between periods.
When should I see a doctor?
Get an urgent appointment (111 in the UK) if you’ve missed a period and have unusual bleeding with pain anywhere in your tummy, as it can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Bleeding between periods or after sex is also worth getting checked.
Frequently asked questions
When does implantation bleeding happen?
Around the time your period is due. The NHS says early signs of pregnancy usually start when you’re around 4 to 6 weeks pregnant.
Can I have a period and still be pregnant?
Light bleeding can happen in early pregnancy and is sometimes mistaken for a period. If you think you might be pregnant, take a test and see a doctor.
What colour is implantation bleeding?
The NHS doesn’t describe a colour. It describes it as light, with some spotting or only a little blood. Colour isn’t a reliable way to tell.
Sources
Seventh is a free period and cycle tracker for iPhone and iPad, by doogud. This article is general information, not medical advice. If something feels wrong, see a doctor.
