Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNatural CausesHealth Issues and SpottingOther CausesSpotting vs. PeriodWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Natural Causes
Health Issues and Spotting
Other Causes
Spotting vs. Period
When to Seek Medical Care
Spotting instead of period bleeding can be due to factors like stress, a change in birth control method, pregnancy, menopause, ovulation, an infection, a hormone imbalance, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or fibroids. Other medical conditions, trauma, and even smoking can cause spotting.
Spotting is abnormal vaginal bleeding that occurs outside of or instead of your period. It’s considerably lighter, usually dark brown, red, or pink, and lasts up to a few days. It may be light enough that you only notice it when you wipe.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Causes Spotting Instead of Period Bleeding?
Someabnormal vaginal bleedingis related to hormonal changes, while other episodes result from medical conditions or external factors.
Depending on the cause, the blood may come from places other than the uterine lining that sheds during your period.
Natural Changes That Can Causes Spotting
Causes of spotting that relate to natural changes in the body include:
What may appear to be spotting during your menstrual cycle is considered normal, especially at the beginning and end of your period.
Health Conditions That May Cause Spotting
Spotting can be associated with various health conditions that may need treatment.
External Causes of Spotting
There are external factors that causespotting outsideor instead of a period:
Spotting vs. Discharge vs. Regular Cycle
It can be difficult to know if you are experiencing spotting, discharge, or bleeding as part of your regular menstrual cycle. However, there are some signs to indicate what is occurring.
Spotting is light, vaginal bleeding. It can be either red, light brown, or dark brown.
There are several types of vaginal discharge:
Red discharge or bleeding is generally part of your menstrual cycle. There may be a medical reason if it is very heavy or comes at an unusual time. Contact your healthcare provider if your period seems unusual or particularly painful.
Know Your Menstrual CycleYour period is such a regular part of life that it can be easy not to pay full attention. However, it is helpful to know your cycle. Try marking the first day of your period on a calendar every month for six months. Note regularity, light days, heavy days, and any spotting. If something changes, you will be aware of it and can consult your healthcare provider if needed.
Know Your Menstrual Cycle
Your period is such a regular part of life that it can be easy not to pay full attention. However, it is helpful to know your cycle. Try marking the first day of your period on a calendar every month for six months. Note regularity, light days, heavy days, and any spotting. If something changes, you will be aware of it and can consult your healthcare provider if needed.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Although most females will spot at some point in their lives, there are instances when you should see your healthcare provider. Ask yourself the following questions:
In general, anything out of the ordinary with your vaginal spotting or bleeding means it’s worth contacting your healthcare provider.
Summary
There are many reasons why you may be spotting whenyou are not having your period. Most likely, it may be a part of the beginning or end of your period. Spotting can be a normal part of the reproductive years.
However, there are times when it might indicate something more serious. Understanding when spotting is not typical and paying attention to your cycle can help identify when to contact a healthcare provider.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Michigan Health - Michigan Medicine.Abnormal vaginal bleeding.Mount Sinai.Vaginal bleeding between periods.NHS.Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy.Joshi BR, Rizal S, Subedi S.Thyroid dysfunction in patient with abnormal uterine bleeding in a tertiary hospital of eastern Nepal: a descriptive cross-sectional study. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2021;59(239):635-639. doi:10.31729/jnma.6487Ko KM, Han K, Chung YJ, Yoon KH, Park YG, Lee SH.Association between body weight changes and menstrual irregularity: the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey 2010 to 2012.Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2017;32(2):248-256. doi:10.3803/EnM.2017.32.2.248Family Doctor.org.Vaginal discharge.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Michigan Health - Michigan Medicine.Abnormal vaginal bleeding.Mount Sinai.Vaginal bleeding between periods.NHS.Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy.Joshi BR, Rizal S, Subedi S.Thyroid dysfunction in patient with abnormal uterine bleeding in a tertiary hospital of eastern Nepal: a descriptive cross-sectional study. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2021;59(239):635-639. doi:10.31729/jnma.6487Ko KM, Han K, Chung YJ, Yoon KH, Park YG, Lee SH.Association between body weight changes and menstrual irregularity: the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey 2010 to 2012.Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2017;32(2):248-256. doi:10.3803/EnM.2017.32.2.248Family Doctor.org.Vaginal discharge.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Michigan Health - Michigan Medicine.Abnormal vaginal bleeding.Mount Sinai.Vaginal bleeding between periods.NHS.Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy.Joshi BR, Rizal S, Subedi S.Thyroid dysfunction in patient with abnormal uterine bleeding in a tertiary hospital of eastern Nepal: a descriptive cross-sectional study. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2021;59(239):635-639. doi:10.31729/jnma.6487Ko KM, Han K, Chung YJ, Yoon KH, Park YG, Lee SH.Association between body weight changes and menstrual irregularity: the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey 2010 to 2012.Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2017;32(2):248-256. doi:10.3803/EnM.2017.32.2.248Family Doctor.org.Vaginal discharge.
University of Michigan Health - Michigan Medicine.Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Mount Sinai.Vaginal bleeding between periods.
NHS.Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy.
Joshi BR, Rizal S, Subedi S.Thyroid dysfunction in patient with abnormal uterine bleeding in a tertiary hospital of eastern Nepal: a descriptive cross-sectional study. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2021;59(239):635-639. doi:10.31729/jnma.6487
Ko KM, Han K, Chung YJ, Yoon KH, Park YG, Lee SH.Association between body weight changes and menstrual irregularity: the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey 2010 to 2012.Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2017;32(2):248-256. doi:10.3803/EnM.2017.32.2.248
Family Doctor.org.Vaginal discharge.
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