Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 22 September 2025
If you are trying to become pregnant either through fertility treatments or naturally, noticing a slight bleeding, especially a week before your expected menstrual cycle, can make you excited. This is due to the significant possibility of successful implantation. This sign is medically referred to as implantation bleeding. Understanding this, couples often become excited. At the same time, they may also become puzzled about when to take a pregnancy test after implantation bleeding.
So, let’s scroll down to learn more about implantation bleeding, when to take a pregnancy test, and when you should be concerned about the symptom.
Implantation bleeding is the earliest sign of pregnancy. Some women may notice implantation bleeding when the fertilised egg strives to break through the uterine lining. This can cause minor disturbances to the tissues in the uterine lining, which leads to the exhibition of light spotting or bleeding. This occurrence is normal and does not necessarily require any concerns.
However, it is important to note that only some women experience this symptom, which means it is not mandatory to confirm the pregnancy.
Following the ovulation period, your body releases increasing levels of the progesterone hormone. This thickens the inner lining of the uterus. The thickened lining, or endometrium, is crucial for supporting the pregnancy. The conception begins only when the fertilised egg from the fallopian tube reaches the uterus and embeds into its lining. During its effort to embed, it is natural to disturb some of the blood vessels surrounding the thickened uterus. This causes minor blood release.
When the fertilised egg successfully settles inside the uterine lining, your body continues to secrete more progesterone. This makes your uterus remain thick and supports the embryo or pregnancy.
Note that when fertilisation doesn’t take place, the thickened lining breaks down and comes out as menstrual bleeding.
Implantation bleeding looks like light spotting. Since it is very light and pink or rusty brown in colour, it can be visible only on your panty liner or toilet tissue. The implantation bleeding widely varies from your period. It will be watery, thin and light in colour, rather than thick, heavy, and containing clots like menstrual bleeding. Implantation bleeding also continues for a few hours to a maximum of three days.
You may expect your implantation bleeding around the time of your expected menstrual cycle. That’s why many couples misunderstand implantation bleeding for PMS (premenstrual symptom).
Implantation bleeding may largely take place around 6 to 12 days following your ovulation and fertilisation. For instance, if you have your period on the 1st of December, you may expect your ovulation on the 14th and implantation bleeding anywhere between the 20th and 26th.
If your menstrual cycle is 28 days (average cycle), this overlap can obviously confuse you for PMS with the actual implantation spotting.
To confirm whether the light spotting is due to implantation or menstruation, you could consider looking at the following differences.
| Key Differences | Implantation Bleeding | Menstrual Bleeding |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | 6 to 12 days after ovulation. | 14 or more days after ovulation. |
| Color | Light pink or brown. | Bright red, which begins with brown. |
| Flow | A few drops of blood. | Heavier flow that may require sanitary napkins to manage. |
| Blood Clots | No clots | Clots do exhibit. |
| Duration | A few hours to a couple of days. | 3 to 7 days. |
| Symptoms | Mild cramps | Intense cramps |
| Result | Pregnant | Non-pregnant |
If you are planning to become pregnant, it is common to have a keen eye on the symptoms of implantation. Although it is important to be aware that implantation symptoms are not universal. For some women, even the slightest changes in their bodies show symptoms. While others may experience successful implantation without having any symptoms. In fact, experiencing no symptoms is also another symptom of implantation.
However, the common indicators of implantation other than implantation bleeding may include:
All these symptoms arise due to hormonal fluctuations, which happen as soon as implantation takes place.
Even though the symptoms listed above are the indicators of implantation, we suggest you wait until the pregnancy test confirms it.
Woman always have a small amount of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone in their bodies. As soon as implantation takes place, its level starts to spike up. In actual fact, it even doubles every two to three hours. That is why many fertility specialists suggest waiting at least 3 to 7 days after implantation to allow the hormone to reach the maximum level to be detected in the tests.
The timing for doing the pregnancy test may largely differ based on the tests you choose to perform.
Every woman’s body is indeed different. If you are not definite of your results or symptoms, seeking a professional’s help is appreciated.
Implantation bleeding is certainly not a symptom of any potential risk. Although it is best to consult the physician and confirm the occurrence. The vaginal bleeding can also occur due to various factors. No matter if you notice the bleeding after confirming pregnancy or not, it is best to consult a physician for suggestions.
Some of the concerning factors where you might experience vaginal bleeding other than implantation bleeding may include:
Remember that implantation bleeding is most often light colored and temporary. Deviations from this can be a sign of concern, especially if it is accompanied by fever and pain. Visiting the healthcare provider immediately is highly suggested.
We understand that it can be tempting to do the pregnancy test as early as possible. But remember that doing so can exhibit false results. We have to give sufficient time for the hCG hormone to rise and be detected in the tests. The more accurate results you get if you wait longer patiently.
1. Is it possible to experience implantation bleeding in the fertility treatments?
The answer to the question is yes. You can possibly experience implantation bleeding soon after the embryo embeds into the lining. Similar to the process of natural conception, you may notice the bleeding to be a light pink, which typically persists for about a few hours to the maximum of three days.
2. What should I do with the positive implantation symptoms and persistent negative results?
If your test results are persistently negative but you experience implantation symptoms, we suggest you wait for a few more days. Then again, try retesting using the first-morning urine. Even if the test continues to be negative, consult the healthcare provider. Home pregnancy tests can sometimes be inaccurate.
3. How do I know if what I am experiencing is implantation bleeding?
To confirm what you are experiencing is implantation bleeding, look out for its colour, timing and duration. Implantation bleeding is most often pink, watery in consistency, short-lasting, and occurs around 6 to 12 days after ovulation. It is also sometimes accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness and mood swings.
4. How can I get the most reliable pregnancy results?
To get the most reliable pregnancy tests, you can consider doing blood tests after 3 to 7 days of noticing implantation bleeding. If you choose to do a home pregnancy test, try doing it a few days after missing your period. To confirm further, visit your healthcare provider.
5. Can implantation bleeding continue for more than 3 days?
The answer to the question is no. Generally, implantation bleeding does not continue for more than 3 days. Rather, they exhibit for a few hours to a maximum of 3 days, without clots and darkening the colour.
