Spotting A Week Before Period
Spotting refers to vaginal bleeding between your menstrual periods. Almost every woman experiences this common problem at some point in life. In most cases, you don’t have to worry about spotting a week before period. In rare cases, it can be a sign of a reproductive health problem. Keep reading to find out when you actually need to worry about spotting before period.
Reasons For Spotting Before Your Period
Whether it happens weeks or just a few days before your period is set to arrive, spotting can occur for a myriad of reasons. Ultimately, because there are so many potential causes, you should always visit your doctor to discuss any abnormal vaginal bleeding. He or she can help you identify the cause with exact certainty.
If youre looking to become more informed before your appointment, or just better understand your body, the following reasons are a good place to start.
When Does Implantation Bleeding Happen
You may notice implantation bleeding around 10 to 14 days after conception, when a fertilized egg becomes attached to the lining of your uterus. Keep in mind that conception may not occur on the same day you had sex. Sperm can live as long as five days inside a womanâs reproductive tract, and conception might not occur for several days after sex.
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Other Causes Of Early Pregnancy Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding may also be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants into one of the fallopian tubes instead of the lining of the uterus. Other symptoms may include pain in the abdomen, pelvis, or even the shoulder, but sometimes vaginal bleeding is the only sign.
An ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous condition because the fallopian tube can tear open and cause internal bleeding, so it is important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing these symptoms. The fertilized egg in the fallopian tube needs to be removed with surgery or medication.
What Can I Do About Spotting
If youâre just spotting, donât fret. Just wear a pantyliner like Always Dailies.
They absorb vaginal discharge and spotting and are way thinner and much more flexible than pads, making them great for days when you donât actually have a period, but you still need some protection.
In fact, theyâre so thin and flexible, youâll barely know theyâre there.
Always Dailies also come in a range of shapes that fit all kinds of knickers, so you donât have to wear your granny pants just because youâre spotting.
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Does Spotting Before Your Period Mean You Could Be Pregnant
Spotting in the luteal phase is not an early sign of pregnancy, unfortunately. Its just a consequence of changing hormone levels in the cycle. Theres a lot of talk in online forums about implantation bleeding, which supposedly occurs as the embryo is attaching to the uterine wall.
But luteal phase spotting doesnt have anything to do with implantation, and should not be considered an implantation symptom. Actually, cycles that end in pregnancy are less likely to have bleeding in the luteal phase than cycles that dont.
Should I Take A Pregnancy Test During Implantation Bleeding
You can take a home pregnancy test during implantation bleeding. Keep in mind that the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin that pregnancy tests detect only starts being produced in your body the moment the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus â which is the trigger for implantation bleeding. The earlier you take the test, the less hCG there is to detect, meaning that the test may not yet be accurate. If you have the patience to wait, youâll get a more accurate test result if you wait until after the first day of your missed period.
If you get a positive test result, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm your pregnancy. And you can get an estimate of when to expect your baby by using our handy tool to calculate your due date.
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When To Consult Your Doctor
âIt’s normal to see period blood in pink, red, and brown colors. Consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about color changes in your period blood or if you experience unusual changes in your cycle.
Also, consult your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- âPeriods that last longer than seven days or if you need to change pads and tampons every one to two hours.
- Severe cramping during your menstrual cycle.
- âYou experience dizziness or you feel lightheaded, weak, or tired.
- âYou have chest pain or trouble breathing during or after your period.
- âYour menstrual blood contains clots larger than the size of quarters.
- You have spotting or bleeding anytime in the menstrual cycle other than during your period.
- Your period cycles are shorter than 24 days or longer than 38 days.
- âYou havenât had a period in three months and youâre not pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Your normal cycles have changed and they’re now irregular.
- âYou havenât had your first period by age 15.
- âYou’re still bleeding after menopause, which is when your menstrual cycle comes to an end. Menopause usually takes place in your 40s or 50s.
- âYour vaginal discharge looks abnormal or smells unusually bad.
- You experience high fevers with your periods.
- âYou experience nausea or vomiting with your periods.
Why Spotting Between Periods Happens And When To Be Concerned
Bleeding or spotting between regular monthly periods can be alarming. When this happens, you may see just a spot or two of blood on your underwear or toilet tissue, or you may be bleeding as if youve started your period.
I often get questions about spotting between periods from my patients. While most of the time spotting isnt anything to worry about, it can point to a more serious issue that might need treatment.
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How To Distinguish Between A Period And Bright Red Implantation Bleeding
It is easy to distinguish period and normal implantation bleeding.
- The color of implantation bleeding is darker than the period.
- Implantation bleeding lasts for a shorter span of time and period is for about five days.
- It is is not a heavy flow and period is a heavy flow initially.
- Implantation bleeding doesnt cause severe cramps, but menstrual cramps are painful.
Can implantation bleeding be mistaken for a period? If you have bright red pregnancy spotting, then wait for a day. In case the color changes then it may be implantation bleeding.
If you continue to get bright red blood, then you may be having your period. If you have other symptoms like shortness of breath and bright red blood period or miscarriage confusion, tell your doctor.
When To Seek Help About Spotting Before Your Period
In the majority of cases, spotting is not a sign of anything serious and is more of a nuisance than a medical emergency. However, you should certainly seek medical attention if you suspect that you may have an infection, sexually transmitted disease, or if you have been injured or sexually assaulted.
It is important for all women to keep track of their cycles so that a change in their pattern is easily noticed and can be checked out. If you generally see spotting two days before your period and suddenly experience spotting for two weeks before your period, that warrants a conversation with a doctor.
While this article has focused on women who are not pregnant, if you do experience spotting and there is a chance you may be pregnant, you should seek immediate medical care. Vaginal spotting is often normal during early pregnancy, but spotting during pregnancy can be a sign of an early miscarriage or an abnormal pregnancy such as an ectopic pregnancy.
If you experience any heavy bleeding, to the point that you soak through two pads or tampons in one hour for two hours in a row, call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room. Bleeding this heavy can be serious or even life-threatening.
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Is Bright Red Period Bleeding Normal
Well, the question then is whether it is normal to bleed absolutely bright red blood at any point in time through your period? The fact is that the blood is bright red generally at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and then it tends to get darker every passing day, by the fourth or fifth day, it is quite dark colored in comparison to day 1. This is mainly because the blood color becomes darker as it matured in the uterus for a few days.
In fact, just as it is normal for women to bleed dark red color during the menstrual cycle, bright red period blood is also common. The only time you need to worry about it or be concerned is when you do not normally have bright red vaginal bleeding. Well, it could be because of the fact that you just noticed the different coloration or perhaps there is more to probe in the entire matter.
When Should I See A Doctor
You should see a doctor if you have unexplained spotting between periods. Although it may be nothing to worry about and may go away on its own, it could also be a sign of something serious.
If you dont already have a doctor, the Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area.
Record when your spotting occurs as well as any other symptoms you experience so you can share the information with a doctor.
See a doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms in addition to spotting:
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Implantation Bleeding Signs And Colour
The blood from implantation bleeding is typically pinkish or brown, but it could also be red. It could show up as one spot on your underwear or the bleeding could last a few days. For most women, its usually much lighter than a period, says Langlais. You might also get mild cramps with implantation bleeding.
If youre actively trying to conceive, the wait between when you think you ovulated and the expected date of your next periodoften referred to as the two-week waitcan be filled with nervous excitement, and a lot of waiting and watching for signs. In fact, many people mistake implantation bleeding for their period, says Amanda Selk, an ob-gyn at Womens College Hospital in Toronto, because the timing of the two is so close. If you track your period carefully, you would likely notice implantation bleeding a few days before the real deal would normally be scheduled to arrive. But if youre not tracking, if your period is inconsistent to begin with, or if your normal cycle is shorter than 28 days, theres a high likelihood for confusion.
Some people have very light periods, in general. Some people have a little bit of spotting in the middle of their cycles anyway. And a lot of people also dont keep track of when their periods are, so theyll see a little bit of bleeding and say, oh, OK, thats my period, says Selk.
Thats why we use ultrasound dating over period dating, says Selk.
What Counts As Spotting
Spotting, or staining , is a small amount of vaginal bleeding one to three days before a period, according to Dr. Rebecca Brightman, an OB/GYN in New York City. Think: enough blood to leave a mark on light-colored panties, but not enough to necessitate a tampon.
“Many women will have spotting for two to three days before their periods,” says OB/GYN , a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University Medical School. “It is usually fairly light, and may be brownish, not reddish. It is usually not associated with cramping.”
Dr. Brightman says she considers spotting three or fewer days before a period to be normal. But if you notice spotting four or more days before a period, you should talk with your gynecologist. The most important thing is to track what’s normal for you.
“Spotting prior to your period is not necessarily a cause for alarm,” says Dr. Novatt. If you start noticing pre-period spotting for more than two cycles, however, Dr. Novatt suggests bringing it up with your doc. She also recommends keeping track of your cycle and making note of when you experience spotting vs. regular flow, and for how long.
Women who take a daily birth control pill may also notice spotting if they skip a pill, or even just take it a few hours later in the day than they normally do. Dr. Brightman says the spotting usually resolves quickly once you take the missed pill. Women with IUDs both hormonal and non-hormonal also tend to spot before a period.
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You Have A Decline In Estrogen
One out of ten women experience light spotting during ovulation in their menstrual cycle because of a brief that happens when an egg is released from an ovary. This type of spotting usually occurs about ten to fourteen days before your next period. Spotting can also occur due to reduction of the level of estrogen which usually precedes ovulation. This type of spotting occurs due to alteration of the amount of estrogen that is stimulating the endometrium. The decline in estrogen causes women to experience brown vaginal discharge, or spotting. They can also experience cramping and slight pain.
Spotting Before Your Period Here Are 15 Potential Causes
Sylvia Kang
Banafsheh Kashani
MD, FACOG
Signs of spotting are often seen on stained undergarments or toilet paper after using the restroom. Spotting, or light bleeding, may occur for many reasons and is defined as abnormal vaginal bleeding when it happens outside of your regular period.
Spotting before your period is rarely anything to worry about but can occasionally hint at a serious health issue. Many of the causes of spotting are treatable and even curable. Read on to learn more about your menstrual cycle and some reasons why you could be spotting.
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When Should You See A Doctor About Abnormal Bleeding
“You need to see a doctor if you dont have a monthly period or have more than one period per month. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy when you stand is also concerning,” says Dr. Schrop. She also urges women to see a doctor if they experience bleeding after going through menopause, or if they experience bleeding while pregnant.
Finally, Dr. Schrop says to see a gynecologist if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Bleeding that requires more than one tampon or sanitary pad in an hour, for several hours in a row
- Bleeding or spotting between periods
- Bleeding after having sex
- Nipple discharge
You Have Cervical Erosion
Cervical erosion is when the cells from inside your cervical canal, or glandular cells, are present on the outer surface of your cervix. This is easily found if you get a cervical screening test, also known as a smear test, the area appears red, because glandular cells are red. You can be born with cervical erosion or develop it through hormonal changes. For many women, there are no problems associated with cervical erosion. However, for some, it can cause spotting as glandular cells bleed more easily and can create more mucus than squamous epithelial cells.
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Other Period Colors And What They Mean
It must be noted, however, that not all women experience bright red period blood. In fact, menstruation blood can be of numerous shades, including dark red, brown or black, orange and pale red or pink. Every shade has its own causes and some may be quite normal to experience whilst others may need medical treatment.
1. Brown or Black Period Blood
Sometimes a woman may also experience blood, which is brown or even black in appearance. Extremely dark blood suggests that the latter is quite old and was shed a considerable time before. Women are more likely to observe these particular colors at the tail end of their menstruation or right at the onset of their period. Usually, this is blood that was lodged in the folds of the uterine lining and was released from the body later. This color is also common for women who experience infrequent or irregular menses. This colored blood is often associated with light bleeding.
2. Dark Period Blood
3. Orange Period Blood
Although not very common, orange period blood is also a possibility that should not be ruled out. Period blood usually has an orange tinge if it is exposed to cervical fluid. Sometimes, however, orange period blood may be indicative of an infection especially if accompanied with a foul odor. If such is the case, it is recommended to see the doctor at once.
4. Pale Red/Pink Period Blood
Changes To The Cervix
Bleeding between your periods may be caused by changes in the cells of your cervix. This may be due to inflammation, hormonal changes, a Human Papilloma Virus infection or cervical cancer. If you have bleeding between your periods, your doctor will be able to examine your cervix using a speculum and can take a sample of cells for a cervical screening test.
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What Causes Spotting Before Your Period
Almost all women experience spotting between periods from time to time. Often, it is normal and no reason for concern but in some cases, it can be an indicator of another problem. In this article, well talk about what causes spotting before your period or in between periods and when you should seek help. Please note that this article will focus only on spotting experienced by non-pregnant, reproductive-age women.