Implantation bleeding is one among the earliest signs of pregnancy, however, the confusion arises when you need to understand if it’s implantation bleeding or other types of bleeding.

Knowledge of what implantation bleeding is and the symptoms associated with it as well as the features that distinguish it from other forms of vaginal bleeding may assist in identifying it to be implantation bleeding if one is in doubt.

Care to know more about it?

Mykare Health is here with a blog to help you out on this. Let’s dive in!

What Is Implantation Bleeding?

In implantation bleeding, there is bleeding from the lining of the uterus when the fertilised egg implants itself to the uterus wall.

This process generally occurs about a week after ovulation or about six to twelve days after conception, which could be near the time you might expect your next menstrual period. Once the embryo implants and penetrates into the thickness of the endometrium, it may lead to some blood spotting.

Characteristics of Implantation Bleeding

To identify implantation bleeding, consider the following characteristics:

1. Timing: Implantation bleeding is experienced sometime between one week or a few days to days to your expected date of your period. For those women who have a stable cycle, this can become a very important clue.

2. Colour: Implantation bleeding is usually lighter in hue as compared to the blood that is shed during menstrual cycle. It may even be a light pink or brown as opposed to the bright red and it is normally not painful.

3. Flow: The implantation bleeding is usually not as bright as that of a period because there is not as much shedding occurring at once. This may include slight frond spots or light bleeding depending on the time, it may last from as little as several hours to as long as several days.

4. Duration: Light bleeding after implantation is commonly said to be implantation bleeding and commonly it only lasts for a few hours up to two days. On the other hand, menstruation can take a shorter time ranging from three to seven days.

5. Consistency: The blood usually coming along with implantation is comparatively thin and is accompanied by cervical mucus that is not the type that is produced at a regular period.

Symptoms Accompanying Implantation Bleeding

In addition to the characteristics of the bleeding itself, other early pregnancy symptoms may accompany implantation bleeding

1. Cramping: Implantation bleeding is slight and it sometimes causes some slight pain such as light cramps. These cramps are however not as acute as the one those women feel during their menstrual period.

2. Nausea: It is true that some pregnant women might experience vomiting characterised as morning sickness among the early signs of pregnancy.

3. Breast Tenderness: Tenderness and swelling of the breast or breast soreness is quite common and can be precipitated by hormonal changes during the earliest stage of pregnancy.

4. Fatigue: These vegetables decrease blood level of cholesterol, progesterone leads to fatigue and tiredness when more of it is produced.

5. Frequent Urination: This is due to changes in hormones and alteration in the blood supply to the kidneys; one may frequently have to visit the washroom.

Distinguishing between Implantation bleeding and a Period

Because of this difference with the expected period of two days, the two may not be easily separated. Here are some tips to help differentiate between the two:

1. Track Your Cycle: You need to make a record of your periods; the starting and ending dates of your period, the amount of bleeding and whether there is blotting or not. This information can be helpful to document the link between the items on the list and your bleeding pattern and whether they are on the regular or irregular list.

2. Monitor the Flow: Of specific notice is the degree of the bleeding. Periods are often beginning quite mildly, then it gets worse when flow rate increases, and then it declines in the end. It also remains as a rule light throughout the implantation bleeding.

3. Observe the Colour: The blood is specially observed with regard to its colour. Implantation bleeding on the other hand can be light brown or pink and not bright to dark red as in the case of menstruation.

4. Duration: An important thing to look at is the period of bleeding. Implantation bleeding is not as heavy as a period and it only lasts for a few hours or at most one to two days while the menstrual period lasts for three to five to seven days.

5. Additional Symptoms: Since it may be due to many factors, observe other symptoms which include abdominal pain, tender breasts, or nausea. These may be some features of early pregnancy.

Other causes of Vaginal Bleeding

It is very pertinent to understand that there is more to the bleeding which occurs in the vaginal area other than implantation and menstruation. Other potential causes include:

1. Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal imbalances lead to changes in the pattern of menstruation and that is why women can experience several irregular bleeding in a month.

2. Infection: Some infections of the reproductive organs can cause spotting or bleeding and these include infections like yeast infections and sexually transmitted diseases.

3. Birth Control: It is not a contraindication; however, the common side effect of hormonal contraceptives is the alterations of bleeding patterns when the contraceptives are initiated or discontinued.

4. Medical Conditions: Many causes are known to lead to abnormally timed or heavy bleeding which includes; polycystic ovary syndrome, fibroids or endometriosis.

5. Implantation of the Egg Outside the Uterus: Occasionally, an ectopic pregnancy which is implantation of the fertilised egg at any site except the uterus, can lead to bleeding and is considered a medical emergency.

When To Take a Pregnancy Test?

If you can rule out your bleeding being due to implantation, you might want to find out whether you are pregnant. Home pregnancy tests generally work on principles that identify the hormone within your urine, known as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Here are some guidelines for testing: Here are some guidelines for testing

1. Wait a Few Days: An implantation bleeding occurs at a time when the body has not produced adequate hCG that even the home pregnancy test can pick. However, due to the changes in the level of hormones resulting from the bleeding, you should wait a few days after the cessation of the period to take the test again.

2. Morning Testing: Collect a sample urine right in the morning when you pop the first one because it is the most concentrated.

3. Follow Instructions: To get accurate results, follow the instructions given on the pregnancy test kit to the letter.

4. Consult a Doctor: If you get a positive result or if you are in doubt with your bleeding situation, it is recommended that you seek medical advice for confirmation.

Seeking Medical Advice

It is however advised that in case you develop any symptoms that are out of ordinary or feeling weird you should see a doctor. Contact your healthcare provider if:

1. Heavy Bleeding: You should immediately consult a doctor if you have such cases as heavy bleeding or bleeding that is combined with severe pains.

2. Persistent Symptoms: Any abnormality in the process which may include spotting or any irregular bleeding should warrant a visit to a doctor.

3. Positive Pregnancy Test: If you get a positive result after taking the home pregnancy test, it is recommended that you consult a doctor for prenatal services.

4. Negative Test but Suspected Pregnancy: This could mean that you are pregnant and have a blood test because they are more sensitive than urine tests in reacting to lower levels of hCG.

Defining implantation bleeding helps identify it among other types of vaginal bleeding. Key factors include timing, colour, flow, duration, and consistency. Other symptoms are mild cramps, nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue, and frequent urination.

Considering the cycle and the changes in bleeding can also help one to identify the implantation bleeding easily. It is recommended not to rush and take a home pregnancy test, since results may be confusing. Speak to your doctor if you have any worries for your health with regard to the medication.

One gets implantation bleeding a few days after the moment of fertilisation and before the regular periods, which can be light and last for several days. If early signs of pregnancy are noticed, it is advisable that one should go for a pregnancy test.