Can you have implantation bleeding before your period

When a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, which usually happens 10 to 14 days after conception, it sometimes causes part of the uterine lining to shed. When this occurs, it results in implantation bleeding, which can be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. But here's the frustrating part: The blood that's released is nearly indistinguishable from normal spotting or breakthrough bleeding that can occur mid-cycle—especially in people who are on birth control pills or have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

The only surefire way to tell the difference is by taking a pregnancy test. "People are so anxious about knowing whether or not they're pregnant, they want to have definitive signs to look for, but unfortunately, only time will tell," says Anuja Vyas, M.D., FACOG, with Houston Methodist Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates.

That said, certain symptoms can offer hints that you could be experiencing implantation bleeding rather than period-related spotting. Here, experts share what you need to know.

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Is It Implantation Bleeding or Period Spotting?

Some experts claim spotting that starts brown or wine-colored and becomes a brighter red is most likely the start of your period. But George Patounakis, M.D., Ph.D., FACOG, a fertility specialist in Florida, says Googling pictures won't help if you're wondering if your bleeding is due to implantation. "There's no way to tell the difference between intermenstrual bleeding and implantation bleeding just by looking," he says.

To determine whether you have implantation bleeding or your period, you should pay attention to the following three characteristics instead.

Symptom #1: Cramping

Dr. Vyas says that cramping associated with implantation, while sometimes intense, doesn't typically last as long as it would during a menstrual cycle. But Dr. Patounakis cautions that each person experiences uterine contractions differently. "A little blood inside your uterus can cause severe cramps in some women and no cramps in other women," he says. Therefore, paying attention to what feels out of the ordinary for your body is important.

Symptom #2: Flow

"Some people experience implantation bleeding as heavy as the first day of their menstrual cycle, but it typically only lasts a couple of days," says Jay M. Berman, M.D., FACOG, chief of gynecological services at Detroit Medical Center's Harper Hutzel Hospital and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Wayne State University. "When it ends, the person may feel like their period is about to start or might have breast tenderness or some nausea and may even start to feel pregnant."

Symptom #3: Consistency

Implantation bleeding can be off-and-on for a couple of days. More consistent blood flow—starting light and getting heavier as the days progress—is likely a menstrual cycle.

Should I Take a Pregnancy Test If I'm Spotting?

Anyone who's been sexually active in the previous month and could possibly be pregnant should take a pregnancy test after irregular bleeding of any kind, says Dr. Vyas.

Keep in mind that implantation bleeding will happen before a missed period. If you experience bleeding that isn't implantation- or period-related (after a positive pregnancy test, for example), it could be what's known as the first trimester bleeding.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), this common phenomenon occurs in 15% to 25% of people early in their pregnancy. "But it might also be the first sign of a pregnancy loss or even an ectopic pregnancy," a potentially fatal condition where the embryo implants outside of the uterus, says Dr. Berman.

Those who experience abnormal first-trimester bleeding should see a health care provider. "There are pregnancies that bleed early on that do just fine," says Dr. Patounakis, "but your health care provider needs to evaluate to make sure you're safe."

Can you have implantation bleeding before your period

  • Introduction
  • What is implantation bleeding?
  • Implantation Bleeding vs Periods: Difference between implantation bleeding and period
  • How to recognize implantation bleeding?
  • Final thoughts

Introduction

Your period date is close and you notice light bleeding in your underwear. But instead of the colour red, the blood is pinkish-brown? Congratulations, you might be pregnant. Women trying to conceive a baby might confuse this happy sign of early pregnancy for period onset but we’re here to explain to you why implantation bleeding might look similar but is completely different from menstrual periods. 

In this blog, we look at understanding what implantation bleeding is, what causes it, the symptoms of implantation bleeding to help you differentiate it from a period and what should you do next. 

Implantation bleeding — typically defined as light spotting or a small amount of bleeding that occurs about 10 to 14 days after conceiving a baby — is a normal sign of early pregnancy.
Implantation bleeding happens after a sperm fertilizes your egg which implants itself into the lining of the uterus to become an embryo, causing a little bleeding. 

Since this usually happens around the time of your menstrual cycle, you may confuse implantation bleeding for a light period and not realize you’re pregnant. 

Implantation Bleeding vs Periods: Difference between implantation bleeding and period

Since women have different kinds of blood flow during their menstrual period, it’s hard to point out exact differences between implantation bleeding and a period. However, there are three key differences women can use to differentiate an implantation bleeding from a period:

  1. Colour
    Whether you have a heavy or light menstrual flow, most women are familiar with the colour of their blood during usual periods. Unlike the light or dark red blood seen in periods, implantation bleeding is typically light pink to dark brown (rust-coloured) in colour.
  2. Clotting
    Some women experience clotting in the expressed blood during their menstruation, while others do not see much clotting at all. Implantation bleeding, however, has no clots in the expressed blood.
  3. Amount
    Regardless of experiencing a heavy or light flow, most women can fill pads and tampons during their periods. With implantation bleeding, however, it is usually only spotting or a light flow. Most times, it’s just a little pink or brown discharge, rather than a full flow, just enough to get on a pantyliner.

How to recognize implantation bleeding?

Some of the other early signs of pregnancy may overlap with implantation bleeding symptoms, so take a pregnancy test or consult a doctor if you notice any of the following signs:

  1. Mild cramps (less than a normal period cramp)
  2. Exhaustion/ weakness
  3. Mood swings
  4. Headaches
  5. Nausea (morning sickness)
  6. Upset stomach
  7. Absence of blood clots or tissue in the blood 
  8. The implantation bleeding colour is brown or pinkish instead of red or dark red
  9. Tender, swollen breasts or nipples
  10. Food cravings or aversion
  11. Frequent urination

Implantation bleeding is one of the important early pregnancy symptoms and tends to happen before the onset of morning sickness. Implantation bleeding timing isn’t as long as your period and it’s lighter inflow. Women who are expecting their first pregnancy are more likely to spot or bleed than women who are used to egg attachment.

Final thoughts

All in all, implantation bleeding timing lasts for anywhere between a couple of hours to three full days and has a very light blood flow, sometimes even a light discharge. Unlike period blood that’s bright or dark red, implantation bleeding colour is something between pink and brown. 

Women experiencing implantation bleeding may experience other early symptoms of pregnancy like morning sickness, lower backaches, mild or no cramps, tender breasts and others. But many of these can also be PMS symptoms or ovulation symptoms and you may not be pregnant. 


If you’re not sure whether you’re having implantation bleeding or your period, it’s best to take a pregnancy test or talk to your doctor. Pregnancy tests can be taken at home using urine pregnancy test kits or you can book a blood test for pregnancy from the lab. It may be difficult to detect a pregnancy too early after conception, hence chances of false-negative results exist. There can be multiple reasons for irregular, missed periods or spotting. Consult a doctor for the best advice and understanding of the way forwards. 

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Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.Resources

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How many days before expected period do you get implantation bleeding?

When does implantation bleeding happen? So-called implantation bleeding will likely arrive earlier than your expected monthly menstrual period, usually around seven to 10 days after fertilization or conception.

Can you have implantation before your period?

Implantation bleeding happens just before the expected menstrual cycle. It is a very early sign of pregnancy, occurring a few days before a pregnancy test will confirm a female is pregnant. The process of implantation starts with fertilization.

Can you have implantation bleeding week before period?

Implantation bleeding typically happens within the week before the expected period. For example, if you are sexually active and expect your period on January 25th, then you might question any spotting you have between Jan. 18th – Jan. 25th as possible implantation bleeding.

How can I tell if it's implantation bleeding or my period?

Implantation bleeding is more likely to be a pinky-brown color. Menstrual bleeding, on the other hand, may start off light pink or brown, but it soon changes into crimson red. Strength of flow. Implantation bleeding is usually super-light spotting.