What is implantation bleeding?

Bottom lineImplantation bleeding is light pink or brown spotting some people get when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, around 10 to 14 days after conception (near an expected period); it's lighter, shorter, and not as red as a period, sometimes with mild cramping. If you could be pregnant and have light spotting instead of a normal period, test on or after your missed period; heavy bleeding or severe pain needs medical care.

Implantation bleeding is light spotting that can happen when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, around 10 to 14 days after conception - roughly when a period would be due. Not everyone gets it.

How to recognize it

• Light pink or brown spotting, not bright red flow
• Very light - usually just a few drops or a tinge, not enough for a pad
• Short-lived - a few hours to a couple of days
• May come with mild cramping

Implantation bleeding vs a period

• Lighter than a period and doesn't get heavier
• Shorter in duration
• Pink or brown rather than building to red flow
• No clots

Because the timing overlaps with an expected period, it's easy to confuse the two.

What to do

• If you could be pregnant and have light spotting instead of a normal period, take a pregnancy test on or after your missed period
• Heavy bleeding is not implantation bleeding and should be checked, especially in known pregnancy

When to see a doctor

• Heavy bleeding or severe pain in possible or confirmed pregnancy
• Spotting with dizziness or one-sided pain (to rule out ectopic pregnancy)

See when does implantation happen and can discharge be a sign of pregnancy.

Femora helps you tell light spotting from a true period by tracking your cycle and flow.