Period 6 days late light pink spotting

Photographed by Ashley Armitage.

If you're not trying to get pregnant, and are worried that you might be, then seeing blood in your underwear can feel somewhat reassuring. Bleeding means you have your period, which means you're not pregnant, right? Not necessarily, because there's always a chance that you're experiencing implantation bleeding, which means the exact opposite: pregnancy. That's why anyone trying to conceive might actually feel a surge of hopefulness at the sight of a little blood.

When a fertilized egg is in the process of attaching to the uterine lining, sometimes it can cause light bleeding, also known as "implantation bleeding," says Raquel B. Dardik, MD, an Ob/Gyn at NYU Langone Medical Center. During implantation, it's almost as if the embryo is "trying to burrow into the uterus," so it's normal to have some spotting, Carolyn Alexander, MD of the Southern California Reproductive Center told Refinery29 last year.

It's easy, at first, to confuse implantation bleeding with your period. Hey, hoping to be pregnant and hoping to NOT be pregnant can both be pretty intense situations. Rather than losing it over a little blood, learn to spot the difference between the two, so you'll know right off the bat what you're dealing with.

In general, implantation bleeding tends to be spotty and light, not necessarily flowing like a period, Dr. Dardik says. The blood itself is usually pink to light brown, she says. Some people say that it kind of looks like rust, and doesn't look like their typical period blood. But implantation bleeding can happen near the time that you get your period, which causes some people to think it's just an early flow, Dr. Dardik says.

Often, the timing can actually indicate whether you have implantation bleeding or your period. A fertilized egg typically implants about 10 days after ovulation, Dr. Dardik says. "So, on a 28-day cycle, you would ovulate on day 14, implant on day 24, and skip your period on day 28," she says. That is, it could be implantation bleeding if it's happening a few days before you expect to get your period. "This assumes you are very regular," she says. "If you have cycles that tend to vary in length, even by a few days, it may seem to happen when you anticipate your period." So you can see why this could get confusing.

Implantation bleeding can last a few hours or a few days, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The bleeding will go away on its own, and you don't really have to do anything when it happens — although it might be a good time to take a look at your calendar or pill pack and figure out where you are in your cycle, to see if it might just be an early period. Really, the only way to know whether you are pregnant or not is to take a test.

Of course, you'll have to wait a few days for an accurate read. After a fertilized egg implants, the placenta forms and produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is what pregnancy tests are looking for, according to the Mayo Clinic. HCG enters the bloodstream first and then moves into urine, so that's why you pee on a pregnancy test. For an ASAP answer as to what's going on, head to your doctor for a blood pregnancy test. Otherwise, wait a few days until you expect your period to arrive and, if it doesn't, test then.

If you are trying to get pregnant, paying attention to symptoms like implantation bleeding can later help you and your Ob figure out exactly how far along you are (romantically keeping tabs on the dates you've had sex helps with this, too). If you already know you are pregnant, and are experiencing light bleeding, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. Some spotting early in pregnancy is usually not a big deal, and happens to 15 to 20% of people during the first trimester, according to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology. But heavier bleeding, or bleeding later in pregnancy can be a sign of something more serious.

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You probably know that seeing pinkish or light-colored blood when you’re on the brink of getting your period means a light flow is about to start. But spying pink discharge during early pregnancy can bring up a lot of questions — and even some concern. And what should you make of light-colored spotting that crops up at other times? 

Here’s more about what pink discharge during pregnancy means, as well as during your monthly cycle, and when to see the doctor.

What is pink discharge during pregnancy?

Pink discharge or light pink spotting during pregnancy is often nothing more than benign vaginal secretions combined with blood, and a number of things can cause it. It’s also very common: Up to 1 in 4 women experience some kind of vaginal bleeding during their pregnancy. 

Pink discharge early in pregnancy may appear light pink or a darker shade of pink since it’s a mix of clear vaginal fluid and a little bit of blood. If your pink discharge is related to implantation bleeding (more on that in a minute), it may look pinkish or brownish. 

What does pink discharge during early pregnancy mean?

Light spotting is rather common while you’re expecting and can start around weeks 3 or 4. There are a few reasons for pink discharge during early pregnancy, including:  

Implantation bleeding

Pink discharge in early pregnancy may occur due to implantation bleeding, which is a small amount of light spotting or bleeding that occurs about six to 12 days after conception. This type of bleeding is not at all uncommon and is thought to happen when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. 

The fertilized egg has to burrow into the lining to implant — and the result can be a spectrum of discharge or spotting, from light pink to red to brown. Implantation bleeding usually occurs when you’d expect your period, but it will definitely be lighter than menstrual bleeding. Some women don’t experience implantation bleeding at all while others may not notice they have it.

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It’s also possible that you’ll mistake pink spotting for a light period, though once you determine that you’re in early pregnancy, bear in mind that some cramping or spotting is normal as a fertilized egg implants and begins to grow in the uterus. However, if you are experiencing persistent cramping or bleeding, call your doctor as these may be signs of a vaginal or uterine infection or something rare and serious, like an ectopic pregnancy.

Infection

After implantation bleeding, the next common reason for pink vaginal discharge in pregnancy is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Sometimes, a non-sexually transmitted infection like bacterial vaginosis or yeast can cause an infection and inflammation of the cervix, leading to pinkish discharge. 

Know that a small amount of vaginal odor is normal, but if you smell something stronger, it could signal an infection.

Intense exercise

If you're doing a lot of heavy lifting or strenuous exercise during early pregnancy, you may notice some pink discharge. 

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is one that grows outside the womb, usually in a fallopian tube. It too may cause some vaginal bleeding or discharge, along with cramping or pain in the abdomen or pelvic region. Check in with your practitioner if the pink discharge doesn't go away after a day or so, or it’s heavy. 

Other causes of pink discharge during pregnancy 

Pink discharge can also occur at other points during pregnancy (or even when you’re not expecting) for some other reasons:

  • Tiny vaginal tears. If you get a bit rowdy in bed with your partner, small vaginal lacerations can cause bleeding or pink discharge. 
  • An ovarian cyst that has burst. Ovarian cysts, another culprit, are fluid-filled sacs that form on one or both of a woman’s ovaries. Sometimes they can rupture during pregnancy and cause bleeding or spotting, but it’s not usually a cause for concern. Most practitioners will just monitor the situation and wait for it to resolve on its own.
  • Leaking amniotic fluid. A slow leak may cause a little wetness or pink discharge here and there. If you’re not sure whether your water broke, call your doctor. 

What causes pink discharge when you're not pregnant or trying to conceive?

Pink discharge that shows up when you’re not actively trying to have a baby may be pinned to a few different causes, such as:

Ovulation

Pink spotting between menstrual periods is sometimes due to ovulation, or the release of an egg from the ovaries. The egg "bursting" from the ovary can cause pain and some bleeding, much like pink discharge.

When spotting is caused by ovulation, you may also notice the blood is mixed with cervical mucus. More is produced around this time of the month, and it's often thin, extra stretchy, clear or pale white (like egg whites). This cervical fluid creates the ideal environment for sperm swimming toward an egg.

That said, not all women see pink discharge at this point in their cycle. About 5 percent of healthy, menstruating women experience spotting from ovulation, according to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The start (or end) of your period

If you spot light pink discharge when you wipe, it could mean your period is about to begin. The vagina naturally secretes dead cells from its lining as a way of cleaning the area and keeping it healthy.

In fact, the amount and color vaginal discharge changes throughout your menstrual cycle. And toward the end of it, it’s not uncommon for fluid to lighten and appear as light pink discharge.

Hormonal contraception 

Some forms of birth control may also cause irregular pink spotting or breakthrough bleeding at a time when you’re not expecting your period. Any type of hormonal birth control can cause pink discharge, including pills, implants, IUDs, birth control shots and skin patches.

But pink vaginal spotting or breakthrough bleeding is more commonly seen in women who are using low-dose or very low-dose birth control pills, implants or hormonal IUDs. If you smoke or are less than consistent with your pill-taking schedule, you may experience this bleeding more often.

What can you do about pink discharge during pregnancy? 

Pink discharge during pregnancy is an annoyance, to be sure, and the treatment of it depends on the cause. If an infection is suspected, see your doctor for next steps. And if you’re dealing with implantation bleeding, the quickest fix is simply to wear a thin pad until it subsides.

When to see a doctor for pink discharge

If you're concerned about any kind of vaginal bleeding during any point in your cycle or while you’re pregnant, check in with your health care provider. An immediate call to the doctor is necessary, however, if you experience intense cramping and bleeding or severe lower belly pain. 

In some cases, pink vaginal fluid may indicate an early miscarriage, but it could also be nothing. Either way, put your mind at ease and call the doctor. The sooner you’re seen and evaluated, the better for your health — and then you can get back to enjoying your pregnancy (or trying to conceive!). 

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How long can you have pink discharge before your period?

Others may see pink discharge for three months or longer. An egg is released from the fallopian tube approximately 14 days before your next period starts. Around three percent of women experience ovulation, or mid-cycle, spotting. Since more wet, clear cervical fluid is produced at this time, ovulation spotting may appear pink instead of red.

Is it normal to have pink spotting in the middle of cycle?

Also, pink spotting during the middle of your menstrual cycle is a sign of ovulation. However, vaginal infections can cause pink spotting at any time during your menstrual cycle. Is pinkish brown discharge normal?

What does it mean when your period is light pink?

As your periods are nearing an end, the color may turn pinkish due to light flow. There might be spotting on panties during this time, or you may use panty liners as the flow has now trickled down to a few drops, so pinkish discharge or a light red color is common.

How many days after implantation bleeding do you Bleed pink?

It happens between 10 to 14 days after conception and may cause light bleeding of various shades, including pink. Not all women experience implantation bleeding. If your period is late or you have pink spotting in its place, consider taking a home pregnancy test.

Why is my period late and light pink?

A Missed Period and Light Bleeding If your period is late or doesn't come at all, you may be pregnant. But newly pregnant women—one-third to be exact—may have what's called implantation bleeding, or bleeding that is lighter, shorter and spottier than a regular period.

Can implantation bleeding occur 6 days after missed period?

Implantation bleeding is generally light and short, just a few days' worth. It usually occurs 10-14 days after conception, or around the time of your missed period. However, vaginal bleeding has been reported anytime in the first eight weeks of pregnancy. Spotting is also common before the start of a menstrual period.

Does light pink spotting count as a period?

Generally, if you have light bleeding that occurs within two days of your period, you should consider that part of your period, not spotting (2). However, if it's very, very light—like you only see a little on your toilet paper—that probably could be considered spotting.