Pink discharge between periods can bring up a lot of questions, especially for a woman who is trying to get pregnant. Pinkish or light colored blood during your period usually just means a light flow. But about light colored spotting during the rest of your menstrual cycle?
The first cause of pink spotting between menstrual periods is ovulation bleeding. Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovaries. According to the American Pregnancy Association, some women experience light spotting after ovulating. Ovulation spotting is thought to be the result the blood that results from an egg bursting from the ovary. Hormonal changes in the body during the time of ovulation may also result is some light pinkish spotting. However, not all women will experience spotting during ovulation.
The second and more likely cause of spotting between periods is implantation bleeding. According to the Mayo Clinic, implantation is light bleeding or spotting that occurs ten to fourteen days after conception. Implantation bleeding is thought to be the result of the fertilized egg burrowing into the lining of the uterus during implantation. Sometimes the discharge is light pink in color. Other times the bleeding resembles a shortened period. Again, however, not all women will experience implantation bleeding or spotting.
When I was trying to get pregnant with my daughter, I paid close attention to all of my vaginal discharge. In particular, I was on the lookout for ovulation spotting and implantation bleeding. Since I was already charting my cycles, I was very attuned to my body and knew what to look for. Although I never experienced any bleeding or spotting as a result of ovulation or implantation, women who do have noticeable pink discharge can use this sign as a way to pinpoint when they are ovulating or if they are recently pregnant.
Have you used spotting between periods to determine ovulation or implantation? Share in the comments below.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons