Women all know that bleeding during menstruation is a normal occurrence, but what about bleeding during ovulation? Anyone who has experienced this condition has wondered what is happening in their body to cause this.
When experiencing any unusual or unexpected vaginal bleeding, it is important to document the occurrence to know at what point in the menstrual cycle it happens. Every woman should chart her cycles each and every month; to increase her own familiarity with her body as well as for information for her gynecologist. Menstrual cycles usually occur every 28 days, and ovulation typically occurs midway between cycles. To help determine the approximate date of ovulation, figure fourteen days from the first day of a menstrual cycle. If you are indeed bleeding during ovulation, it would be occurring within a day or two of that date of ovulation. The bleeding will not be profuse, generally only spotting and will only last for one to two days.
Bleeding during ovulation can be from several causes, and only your doctor will be able to determine for sure which applies in your specific case. The culprits of the bleeding could be any of the following:
- Result of the egg being released from the ovary along with a small amount of blood.
- Result from use of birth control pills as a decrease of estrogen causes withdrawal bleeding.
- Result from use of an IUD
- Hormone imbalance
Other isolated causes, such as polyps or cysts, can also cause bleeding during ovulation. It is believed that the most common cause is something called emerging follicle. As the one egg in a follicle matures and swells, it will burst from the follicle to begin the trip to the uterus. Blood is likely released as result of the bursting, or the follicle may rupture with the pressure of the swelling, expelling blood.
There are no clear cut reasons why bleeding during ovulation occurs. If bleeding is consistent month after month, or is severe, the doctor will undoubtedly wish to perform tests. Conditions such as endometriosis could be at the root of the bleeding, and cause more problems if left untreated.
For some women, bleeding during ovulation can help them to plan a pregnancy. Charting and documenting when the blood show occurs can provide a timeline for ovulation, which is the optimal time for the egg to be fertilized.
It is important to realize that any bleeding during ovulation must be reported to your doctor or gynecologist. The doctor will be able to rule out any problematic reasons for the bleeding, and can reassure the woman when the bleeding is normal. While the sight of the blood can be startling when not expected, it can be an indication that the body is working as it should.
