If you’re trying to conceive, early spotting can be confusing. Implantation bleeding is light spotting when a fertilised egg attaches to the uterine lining, and it differs from a period in a few ways.
Key differences
- Timing: implantation is usually 6–12 days after ovulation, often a little before your expected period
- Flow: very light spotting, not a building flow
- Colour: often light pink or brown rather than bright red
- Duration: typically a day or two, not several days
Other early signs
Implantation spotting may come with early pregnancy symptoms like tender breasts, fatigue, or nausea. The only way to confirm is a pregnancy test from around the day of your missed period.
When to check with a clinician
Report any bleeding in a known or suspected pregnancy to your provider to be safe, especially if it’s heavy or painful.
For readers in United Kingdom
In the UK, much of this care is available through the NHS as well as privately, and UK GDPR gives you rights over your health data, including access and erasure.