Women who are actively trying to conceive should know about implantation pain vs ovulation pain. Implantation takes place after the egg is fertilized with sperm, whereas ovulation takes place when the egg is released from the ovary.
After you have conceived, the fertilized egg implants in the uterus between 3-12 days after the ovulation. After entering into the uterus, the fertilized egg begins its process of implanting into the uterine lining. Some pregnant women may not experience any signs of implantation, while some others will experience severe pain. But the signs of implantation are very much similar to ovulation pain. Generally it is difficult to distinguish both. So, the only way to know for sure is through pregnancy test.
There are several implantation signs happen when the egg is implanted to the uterine wall. They include:
It is slight bleeding that occurs when the fertilized egg is implanted into the uterine wall. Most women mistakenly consider spotting as normal period because it will occur at the time when the period is due. Spotting is very much different from regular period. Usually it is very lighter than the normal period and it is in pinkish or brownish colored.
Usually, spotting occurs anywhere from a week to few days prior the occurrence of menstrual period. Even if you are actively trying to conceive and experience mild spotting, it is completely normal and one is of the symptoms of pregnancy. If you suspect that you are pregnant, it is better to take a pregnancy test.
When fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, you may experience mild cramping. Cramping can be severe or lighter than the PMS symptoms. Implantation cramping can be experienced on one side of the body i.e. to the side of the uterus where the fertilized egg implants on.
This implantation pain can be distinguished from menstrual pain as it can occur earlier than the PMS pain.
When comes to the ovulation pain, it occurs two weeks before the period in your lower abdomen i.e. just inside the hip bone. You can experience the pain on either side depending on from which ovary the egg is released. Some women may experience sharp pain; while some other experience mild cramps or twinges that proceed till next day.
Ovulation pain can also occur when there is blood leakage from the ovary. The leaking blood can cause irritation of the abdominal wall and result in pain. Severity of this pain depends on the individual and also the amount of blood leaked.
Another thing that can cause ovulation pain is the distance between ovary and the abdominal wall. Even you experience severe pain, don’t be panic and don’t get any unnecessary treatments.