What is Implantation bleeding?: 4 Ways To Differentiate Between Implantation Bleeding And Your Period

 

What is Implantation bleeding?

For many women who are trying to get pregnant, they sometimes get confused as to whether the bleeding they just experienced is implantation bleeding or their period has finally come.

Today we will be discussing 4 ways you can different whether that hint of blood you just saw on your underwear is implantation spotting or your period is about to rear its face.

What is Implantation bleeding?

This is the first sign of pregnancy and only 1/3 women experience this. It is usually characterized by brown or pink spotting that happens shortly before the menstrual cycle.

 

4 Ways to differentiate implantation bleeding from your period

After the fertilized egg is embedded into your uterus, implantation bleeding may occur and as this spotting may occur shortly before your period is expected might sometimes confuse most women. However the color, thickness and duration helps women  differentiate between the occurrence of implantation bleeding or a period.

 

1.Flow

The major difference between implantation bleeding and menstruation is the flow. For implantation bleeding, the flow is very light and of course stays light. For many women, their period starts off light and with time gets heavier. Also, no blood clots are seen during implantation whereas in a normal menstruation, blood clots may be seen

If you notice bleeding and the consistency of the flow gets heavier, you are likely getting your period.

2.Color

Also, any discharge or light bleeding that is brown or pink in color is most likely a sign of implantation. Red blood is a sign of menstruation.

However, in rare cases, implantation blood is a light red color. When this happens, it signifies that blood has just been shed from the uterine lining.

Brown blood is older blood that may have been stuck in your uterus after the egg implanted itself.

3.Cramping

Both menstruation and implantation bleeding can cause cramping and pain. Period cramps are usually more intense than  implantation cramps. If you are experiencing light pink or brown discharge, alongside light cramps which doesn’t intensify, this is a good indication of implantation bleeding.

Many people, have however wondered why implantation cause cramping? The answer is quite simple. When the fertilized egg burrows and attaches itself to the uterine lining, in most cases, it causes the uterine muscles to contract. When these contractions occur, your nerve endings  are pinched which in turn causes pain that feels like  period cramps. Also, these type of cramps may last for just a few days or hours.

4.Consistency

To know if the bleeding you are seeing is implantation bleeding, check if the bleeding comes on and off bleeding  or consistent? For implantation bleeding, spotting comes and goes. Period on the other hand continues for the full duration of your period (typically 4-7 days).

Implantation bleeding or spotting usually lasts for a day or two, but some women may experience spotting for a longer or shorter period of time. Every woman is different.

 

For some women spotting lasts between 2 to 4 days while for others, it usually lasts for a couple of hours.