Possible Causes Of Spotting Before Periods
Spotting has a number of possible causes. Here are some of the most common:
Most causes of spotting are nothing to worry about and require no medical intervention. In rare cases, spotting could be the result of a more serious underlying condition that needs attention and/or treatment.
If youre concerned about any of the conditions above or youre worried about spotting for any other reason, dont hesitate to make an appointment with your health care provider.
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The Difference Between Spotting And Bleeding
Spotting is any light vaginal bleeding which you experience in between your monthly period. You are experiencing spotting when you notice a few drops of blood every now and then on your underwear. The quantity is not usually enough to fill a pant liner. Bleeding on the other hand, is a heavier form of blood flow. When you are bleeding, you will need a pant liner or pad to prevent the blood from soaking your clothes.
*Using the traffic light colors, we have determined if the cause is low, medium, or high risk. Use this measure as a reference, but consult your doctor when making health decisions.
Why Am I Spotting Between Periods
It can be a little unnerving to experience spotting or bleeding at unexpected times between your periods. There are many reasons women may spot between periods, and while some of those reasons are nothing to worry about, others are more serious.
At Kelly Morales OB/GYN, our team provides compassionate, patient-centered gynecological care to women in the San Antonio, Texas, area using the latest evidence-based medicine. Dr. Morales understands the frustration and worry that unexpected spotting can bring.
Our care team has curated this information on spotting between periods to help you understand whats normal and whats cause for concern.
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You Have An Ovarian Cyst
Spotting between periods can also be caused by ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are small sacs that develop in your ovaries and are filled with fluid. You may not know you have ovarian cysts until one ruptures. If one ruptures, you can experience lower pelvic pain, spotting, and severe discomfort. It is important to go immediately to the doctor if you are in extreme pain. Normally, doctors will wait and see if the cysts resolve themselves. If they dont, they can be surgically removed.
What Is Spotting Between Periods
A normal menstrual cycle occurs every 28 days, followed by menstrual bleeding that usually lasts for about 4-7 days. It doesnt have to be exactly 28 days interval but can range from 21 to 35 days. Young girls may experience their periods somewhere from 21 to 45 days or more apart. Women in their 40s will frequently have less frequent menstrual cycle. Some women experience menstrual cycles for longer times, some women experience less.
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You Have Endometrial Or Cervical Cancer
Gynecological cancers can present with abnormal bleeding, so it’s important to take any vaginal bleeding that you’re concerned about seriously and get it checked out.
As Dr. Minkin points out, a little bit of spotting right before your period in particular most likely isn’t cause for concern. With these cancers, symptoms would happen throughout your whole cycle.
But with any health symptom that you feel uneasy about, don’t hold back from getting an expert opinion sooner rather than latereven if it turns out to be nothing serious. You know your body best and are your number-one health advocate.
Spotting Due To Hormonal Birth Control
Visit your doctor for advice on the dosage and type of hormonal birth control you are using. In many cases, your doctor will be able to advise changes to stop the spotting or irregular bleeding. If you are ready to stop relying on hormonal birth control but are nervous to transition off it, come along to my free Heal Your Cycle webinar for the ultimate preparation for your body to return to natural cycles.
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What Is Vaginal Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding is normally associated with monthly menstruation, a cycle that begins in females when they are 10 to 15 years old and continues until menopause at about 45 to 55 years old. Bleeding associated with the menstrual cycle may vary in timing, length or quantity. However, vaginal bleeding may also occur apart from the menstrual cycle.
Below is a summary of common disorders related to vaginal bleeding.
- Polymenorrhea: Menstrual cycle of fewer than 21 days . The length of the cycle is counted from the first day of one flow to the first day of the next flow, and is usually between 24 and 38 days.
- Oligomenorrhea: Menstrual cycle of more than 38 but fewer than 90 days .
- Amenorrhea: No menstrual cycle for 90 days or more.
- Metrorrhagia: Menses that lasts more than seven days, or spotting that occurs between menses. The usual duration of menses is three to five days. This condition might also be called intermenstrual bleeding because bleeding continues into the time after which it should have stopped.
You Have An Impending Miscarriage Had A Miscarriage Or Had An Abortion
Women who miscarry commonly spot before a miscarriage. A miscarriage is the loss of the pregnancy before a woman has been pregnant for 20 weeks. Women who miscarry commonly spot beforehand. In the unfortunate case of an impending miscarriage, you might experience distinct symptoms like abdominal cramping, back pain, lower abdominal pain and spotting. While, these symptoms can be common in pregnancy in the first place, in many cases, spotting and cramping can be the first indication of a miscarriage.
If the vaginal bleeding becomes heavier and includes clots or when the blood color is altered, it is no longer considered spotting and most likely represents a miscarriage. It is usually possible between 5 to 6 weeks of pregnancy. If youre concerned about a potential miscarriage, you should visit your primary care physician or OB/GYN. He or she might recommend an ultrasound of the uterus or blood tests to follow changes in pregnancy hormones. Unfortunately, a miscarriage in process cannot be stopped. Treatment may involve watching the symptoms until they pass. Sometimes, it is necessary to take medication or have a surgery to remove any remaining pregnancy contents from the uterus. Women with a negative blood type , need an injection of a drug called Rh immune globulin to help prevent problems in future pregnancies.
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What Is Spotting And How Does It Differ From Periods
A woman undergoes a complex set of hormonal changes every month during a menstrual cycle, lasting from three to seven days. Any light atypical vaginal bleeding other than a period is known as spotting. Spotting can occasionally mimic an extremely light period and vice versa. The duration and volume of bleeding can help a person decide whether it is menstruation or spotting. A period usually lasts four days or longer, whereas spotting lasts only one or two days. Spotting blood is generally dark red or brown, while menstrual blood is usually red.
Can Implantation Occur 4 Days Before 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.
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Changes In The Bleeding Pattern Due To Birth Control Methods
Studies show that birth control methods cause changes in bleeding patterns and unexpected spotting. Spotting is more common when birth control methods are initiated. Studies show that during the first three months, most women can expect spotting .
Spotting during the first few months of initiation of birth control methods is not a reason for concern it happens due to hormonal changes in the body. Women who take birth control pills irregularly are more likely to have these issues.
Sometimes, women may need to change the dose or type of birth control pills to prevent spotting.
When To Visit A Doctor For Spotting
There is no reason to panic if you notice light bleeding before or after a few days of your period. Medical attention is required when you are passing large clots or changing a tampon every hour. In this case, you should see your doctor and diagnose the reason for unexplainable bleeding.
Women who are in their menopausal stage should be vigilant of spotting as it should not occur once the periods have stopped permanently. Go for a Pap smear test to get clarity on any cancerous development in the pelvic or cervix area. The test also gives a clear screening about any inflammation or infection causing agent.
Therefore, when you experience period spotting other than your normal menstrual cycle, flag the issue to your doctor. Below mentioned are some signs and signals that will help you to know when to visit the doctor for spotting:
- When you have more than one period in a month
- When you feel light-headed or dizzy during the day
- When you experience spotting after menopause
- When you experience severe lower abdominal pain and cramping
- When light periods cause nausea and fever
- When your sonography report shows Polycystic Ovarian Disease Syndrome
- When spotting occurs during pregnancy, especially during the first three months
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How Does Spotting Differ From Light Period Bleeding
Sometimes people describe light bleeding that occurs at the beginning or end of their period as spotting.
It can be hard to differentiate spotting from menstrual bleeding by just looking at the amount. Generally, if you have light bleeding that occurs within two days of your period, you should consider that part of your period, not spotting . However, if itâs very, very lightâlike you only see a little on your toilet paperâthat probably could be considered spotting.
For example, if you have light bleeding on Sunday, no bleeding on Monday, and bleed enough to require a tampon on Tuesday, you should consider Sunday the start of your period.
You’re Dealing With Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign growths that appear in or close to the uterus, as Women’s Health reported previously. When women visit their gyno and end up discovering they have fibroids, it often has to do with the fact that they were experiencing abnormal bleeding and heavy periods that last longer than a week.
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Fibroids tend to bring on other symptoms in addition to abnormal bleeding. Those may include pelvic pain or pressure, constipation, the need to pee frequently, and more, according to the Mayo Clinic. So if you have bleeding when your period should not be happening, not to mention any of these other symptoms, see your MD. You can get diagnosed via an ultrasound and lab tests.
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How To Tell The Difference Between Spotting And Your Period
The biggest difference between spotting and your period is the amount of blood. A period can last for several days and require a tampon or pad to control your flow. However, spotting produces much less blood and doesnt typically require the use of these products.
When the bleeding occurs, also, is a good indicator of whether its your period or spotting. Most women generally have an idea of when their period will come and how long itll last, so if you notice bleeding off cycle but its not as heavy as your regular period, then its likely spotting. The color of the blood also is different. Blood produced during your period often is darker than the blood that appears when youre spotting.
Another good indicator the bleeding may be due to spotting, is if you dont have any other menstrual symptoms, like breast tenderness or cramping. If you normally have these symptoms right before your period, but they arent present during the time you notice some irregular bleeding, then its probably spotting.
You Have A Slow Thyroid Or Low Thyroid Levels
Hormonal imbalances are one of the primary reasons for vaginal spotting before your period. One of the reasons a woman might be producing too much estrogen is due to a thyroid issue. A slow thyroid can create changes and imbalances in your metabolism, sense of body temperature, and period, but is rarely life threatening. Low thyroid hormones can cause other scarier symptoms such as constant fatigue, irregular body temperature, significant weight gain, hair loss, and neck pain. A doctor should address these symptoms as soon as possible. But rest assured, they are normal and usually treatable with medicine.
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What It Could Mean
Dr. Brightman says a few more serious health problems can present as spotting, which is why it’s so important to take note of any changes in spotting patterns .
“Some womenobese women, diabetic women, and hypertensive womenare at risk of having an overgrowth of their uterine lining, and that can present as spotting,” Dr. Brightman says. “Certain types of overgrowth we call hyperplasia, and those put them at risk of getting uterine cancer.”
Spotting can also be a sign of a polyp in the cervix. “These polyps are almost always benign,” says Dr. Brightman. “But sometimes they’re not, and that’s why we remove them in women who are spotting.”
And in the rarest of cases, spotting before a period can be a symptom of cervical cancer. But Brightman emphasizes how rare this is, and says if cervical cancer causes any bleeding, it’s typically after sexnot before a period.
Generally speaking, though, some isolated pre-period spotting probably isn’t any huge cause for concern. Just listen to your body and keep track of any new patterns or sudden changes. “If it only happens once and then resolves, don’t worry about it, and you don’t need to check in with your provider,” says Dr. Minkin. “But if it happens regularly, let your provider know.”
Im Spotting In The Middle Of My Cycle
Spotting around the time you ovulate can be very normal and not a sign of concern. Right before you ovulate, your body releases a surge of estrogen. This is part of the hormonal cascade which triggers an egg to be released from your ovary . After this takes place, there is a small dip in estrogen. In some women, this sudden decrease in estrogen can trigger a light hormonal withdrawal bleed.
This type of ovulation spotting should not last longer than a day or two, and usually appears as blood-tinged mucus that is bright red or pink in colour. In many women this will occur in every cycle, and is simply a sign of healthy ovulation taking place.
After ovulation has taken place, the follicle which housed your egg that was released turns into a small gland called the corpus luteum. This tiny gland secretes our other period-friendly hormone: progesterone. One of the key functions of progesterone is to hold on to the uterine lining built up in the first part of our cycle until our next period is due.
The reason this mid-cycle spotting should last only a day or two is because progesterone begins to kick in and holds the uterine lining in place, stopping the spotting. If your spotting is lasting longer than a day or two around ovulation, it is worth visiting your doctor to rule out other underlying causes, as well as reading the Low Progesterone section below.
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Its Probably Nothing To Worry About
You look at your underwear and notice some small brown spots. Its not time for your period yet whats going on here?
Its likely spotting, which refers to very light bleeding that happens outside of your usual menstrual cycle. Its not enough to fill a pad or a tampon, but its often visible on toilet paper or underwear.
Spotting can range in color from light pink to dark brown. Brown spotting gets its color from old blood, which can start making its way out of your body one to two weeks before the start of your period.
For some, this is just a normal part of their cycle. For others, it may be a symptom of an underlying health condition.
Heres a look at the potential causes of brown spotting and other symptoms to watch for.
Brown spotting is often just sign of ovulation or your actual period starting. This is totally normal and nothing to be concerned about.
Is It Spotting Or Your Period
If youve read this far, youve probably learned a lot about spotting. Still, you might be wondering how to tell the difference between spotting and your period, especially if spotting occurs close to the expected start date of your next menstrual period. So, how can you tell if you are spotting or if your period has simply arrived early?
Unlike menstruation, spotting has the following characteristics that set it apart:
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Why Am I Spotting Before Or After My Period
Spotting between periods can be frustrating and scary. Your period finished days or weeks ago and isnt due yet, but youre seeing small amounts of blood on your underwear – whats going on?
There are several underlying causes of spotting, and each requires a different approach. The first question to ask yourself is when am I noticing spotting?. The most common time to notice spotting is in the days before your next period starts, and around ovulation . Sometimes the spotting is happening totally at random, and this is a clue of a different underling cause that may not be hormonal.