What Is Implantation Bleeding?

What would cause mid-cycle bleeding besides implantation or ovulation?

• My husband and I have been TTC for several months. Last month, around CD 15 I had some light bleeding that was dark brown in color. It seemed a little early for implantation bleeding and I know there is such a thing as ovulation bleeding, but I don't know much about it. However, my period is now 11 days late. I took a First Response HPT when I was around 5 days late and it was negative. I would just assume my period is late, however the mid-cycle bleeding is baffling me. If it were implantation bleeding, then an HPT should have been positive by now. But if it was ovulation bleeding, then my period should have started by now. (Because I have always thought that a late period was due to late ovulation). The bleeding was about 3 1/2 weeks ago, and I thought a period always started about 14 days after ovulation. Are there any other possible causes to the mid-cycle bleeding? I have not had any change in medications, sleep, exercise, eating habits, etc.

• Answer:

  You have sound logic. If it was implatation, you'd have a positive home pregnancy test. If it was ovulation, you'd bleed within the next 17 days. I wonder if stress and the death in the family contributed to this unusual "glitch" in your cycle. There are other reasons to bleed, such as a friable cervix, or local irritation. If these were the case, you'd be more likely to bleed during sex, or in the next day or two afterwards. There are other medical conditions that can cause these things, but sometimes these things are just a mystery. You can see whether this happens again next month, but for now, I would just try to relax. Grief does strange things to the body. I'm sorry for your loss, and wish you all the best for your future.