Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Spotting?CausesSpotting vs. Your PeriodManagementTreatmentSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Spotting?
Causes
Spotting vs. Your Period
Management
Treatment
Seeking Medical Care
Spotting before your period can happen for many reasons. Most, like mild hormonal fluctuations and early pregnancy, are usually harmless. However, spotting sometimes occurs due to infection, fibroids, or thyroid problems, requiring treatment.
Spottingis when you have light bleeding, not due to a regularperiod. It’s not uncommon to have some spotting a day before your period starts.Spotting that is morebrownthan red usually indicates older blood that has taken longer to leave your body.
What Causes Spotting Before Periods?
Abnormal uterine bleeding, including spotting, is most common in those who have just started to menstruate and those who are nearingmenopause. It’s typically linked to ahormonal imbalance, but there are several otherreasonsyou might be spotting.
Implantation Bleeding
Spotting can happen when a fertilized eggimplantsin the lining of the uterus. This generally occurs about one to two weeks after fertilization.This is usually before you know you are pregnant.
Birth Control
Spotting between periods is a fairly common side effect ofhormonal contraceptives.This includes:
It’s most commonly associated withlow-doseand ultra-low-dose pills, implants, and IUDs. If you have an IUD, spotting tends to improve in two to six months.
Ovulation
You ovulate about 12 to 14 days before a newmenstrual cyclestarts. about the midpoint between periods.Hormones associated with ovulation can cause spotting, though research suggests thatovulation bleedingis not common.
Pregnancy
Light bleeding or spottingin the first trimester is common, affecting about 15 to 25 in 100 pregnancies.Due to an increase in blood vessels, thecervixmay bleed more easily, particularly after intercourse or apelvic exam.
Other problems that can causebleeding in pregnancyinclude:
Perimenopause
Changing hormone levels duringperimenopause(the years preceding menopause, when the menstrual cycle permanently stops) can lead to abnormal bleeding patterns, including spotting between periods. More than 90% of women have at least one episode of abnormal bleeding during this transition.
Trauma
A recent surgery can cause some trauma to the uterus that leads to spotting. Injury can occur for a variety of other reasons, including intercourse, infection, and inflammation of the cervix.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Unusual vaginal bleeding is one potential symptom of someSTIs. Other signs can include pain when you pee and genital itching, though STIs often have no symptoms.
Stress
Research suggests a link between stress and menstrual irregularities.Stress affectscortisoland other hormone levels, possibly contributing to spotting between periods.
Medication
Certain medications canaffect your period. In addition to hormonal contraceptives, other types of hormone therapies, including those you might take for menopause symptoms, can causebreakthrough bleeding.In addition, drugs such as blood thinners (anticoagulants) and aspirin can cause heavier bleeding.
Uterine or Cervical Polyps
Uterineandcervical polypsare abnormal growths that form on the uterus or cervix. While there are often no symptoms, they can cause abnormal bleeding, including heavier periods and spotting between periods.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
PIDis an acute or chronic infection of the upper genital tract. It has many causes, including STIs. One possible symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding, including spotting between periods. Symptoms are often mild, and delayed diagnosis is common.
Fibroids
Uterine fibroidsare benign uterine tumors that affect 20% to 40% of women during their reproductive years. Symptoms can include abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, andurinary incontinence.
Endometriosis
Endometriosisis a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. The most common symptom is pain, but it can also cause bleeding or spotting between periods.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOSis a condition in which cysts grow on the ovaries. This disrupts the balance of hormones, leading to spotting.
Thyroid Problems
Thethyroidgland helps control your menstrual cycle. Problems with the thyroid can produce symptoms similar to those of menopause. It can affect fertility and make your period lighter, heavier, or irregular.
Cancer
About 90% of women withendometrial cancerexperience spotting between periods. Bloody vaginal discharge can also be a sign ofcervicalorvaginal cancer.
Spotting or Your Period: How to Tell the Difference
Spotting is when you have light bleeding, which may be red, pink, or brown, at a time other than your regular period. There are generally no other symptoms, and it’s light enough that you may not need protection for your clothing.
A period is when the uterus sheds its lining, so it’s a heavier flow that requires a pad or other protection. You might have different symptoms, such as bloating and cramping. The menstrual cycle has a somewhat predictable pattern, with a flow thatlastsaround five days.A period can be shorter or longer and still be normal. Everyone’s cycle differs.
How to Manage Spotting Before Your Period
A little spotting is often harmless, though it can be annoying. Depending on how much you’re spotting and what you need to do, you may want to useprotectionsuch as panty liners, pads, orperiod underwear.
Track spotting as you track your period. Note how often, how long, how heavy, and what it looks like. This may prove helpful when you visit a healthcare provider.
How Spotting Before Your Period Is Treated
Treatment will depend on the cause and may include changing contraceptives. If spotting is due to a condition such as endometriosis, fibroids, or STI, treatment will focus on that condition.
Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?
If you think you may be pregnant, there’s no harm in taking a test. But taking it before you miss your period can result in a false negative.
Pregnancy testsmeasure a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your urine, which you only produce when you’re pregnant. Most pregnancy tests can detect HCG about 12–15 days after ovulation. A positive result means you’re pregnant, but a negative result may mean that you haven’t started producing detectable levels of HCG yet.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
See a healthcare provider if you are experiencing bleeding:
Your provider will likely perform a physical exam and review your health history and any other symptoms you may have. Tests that may help determine the cause include:
Summary
If you have questions about spotting or have other symptoms, it’s worth seeing aobstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn)or other healthcare provider for diagnosis.
23 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.Jacobson MH, Howards PP, Kesner JS, et al.Hormonal profiles of menstrual bleeding patterns during the luteal-follicular transition.J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2020;105(5):e2024-e2031. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaa099Yale Medicine.Abnormal uterine bleeding.The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Bleeding during pregnancy.Archer DF, Mansour D, Foidart JM.Bleeding patterns of oral contraceptives with a cyclic dosing regimen: an overview.Journal of Clinical Medicine.2022;11(15):4634. doi:10.3390/jcm11154634The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.What you should know about breakthrough bleeding with birth control.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Calculating your monthly fertility window.Dasharathy SS, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, et al.Menstrual bleeding patterns among regularly menstruating women.American Journal of Epidemiology. 2012;175(6):536-545. doi:10.1093/aje/kwr356Vitale SG, Watrowski R, Barra F, et al.Abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women: the role of hysteroscopy and its impact on quality of life and sexuality.Diagnostics (Basel). 2022;12(5):1176. doi:10.3390/diagnostics12051176MedlinePlus.Vaginal or uterine bleeding.National Health Service UK.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Jain P, Chauhan AK, Singh K, Garg R, Jain N, Singh R.Correlation of perceived stress with monthly cyclical changes in the female body.Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.2023;12(11):2927-2933. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_874_23The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Hormone therapy for menopause.The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Abnormal uterine bleeding.MedlinePlus.Endometrial polyps.Baylor Medicine.Cervical polyps.Al-Kuran OA, Al-Mehaisen L, Al-Karablieh M, et al.Gynecologists and pelvic inflammatory disease: do we actually know what to do?: A cross-sectional study in jordan.Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 6;102(40):e35014. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000035014Khan A, Shehmar M, Gupta J.Uterine fibroids: current perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:95-114. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S51083U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Thyroid disease.MD Anderson Cancer Center.10 Cancer symptoms women shouldn’t ignore.Nemours TeensHealth.All about periods (for teens).U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Pregnancy.MedlinePlus.Vaginal bleeding between periods.
23 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.Jacobson MH, Howards PP, Kesner JS, et al.Hormonal profiles of menstrual bleeding patterns during the luteal-follicular transition.J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2020;105(5):e2024-e2031. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaa099Yale Medicine.Abnormal uterine bleeding.The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Bleeding during pregnancy.Archer DF, Mansour D, Foidart JM.Bleeding patterns of oral contraceptives with a cyclic dosing regimen: an overview.Journal of Clinical Medicine.2022;11(15):4634. doi:10.3390/jcm11154634The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.What you should know about breakthrough bleeding with birth control.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Calculating your monthly fertility window.Dasharathy SS, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, et al.Menstrual bleeding patterns among regularly menstruating women.American Journal of Epidemiology. 2012;175(6):536-545. doi:10.1093/aje/kwr356Vitale SG, Watrowski R, Barra F, et al.Abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women: the role of hysteroscopy and its impact on quality of life and sexuality.Diagnostics (Basel). 2022;12(5):1176. doi:10.3390/diagnostics12051176MedlinePlus.Vaginal or uterine bleeding.National Health Service UK.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Jain P, Chauhan AK, Singh K, Garg R, Jain N, Singh R.Correlation of perceived stress with monthly cyclical changes in the female body.Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.2023;12(11):2927-2933. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_874_23The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Hormone therapy for menopause.The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Abnormal uterine bleeding.MedlinePlus.Endometrial polyps.Baylor Medicine.Cervical polyps.Al-Kuran OA, Al-Mehaisen L, Al-Karablieh M, et al.Gynecologists and pelvic inflammatory disease: do we actually know what to do?: A cross-sectional study in jordan.Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 6;102(40):e35014. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000035014Khan A, Shehmar M, Gupta J.Uterine fibroids: current perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:95-114. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S51083U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Thyroid disease.MD Anderson Cancer Center.10 Cancer symptoms women shouldn’t ignore.Nemours TeensHealth.All about periods (for teens).U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Pregnancy.MedlinePlus.Vaginal bleeding between periods.
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.
Jacobson MH, Howards PP, Kesner JS, et al.Hormonal profiles of menstrual bleeding patterns during the luteal-follicular transition.J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2020;105(5):e2024-e2031. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaa099Yale Medicine.Abnormal uterine bleeding.The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Bleeding during pregnancy.Archer DF, Mansour D, Foidart JM.Bleeding patterns of oral contraceptives with a cyclic dosing regimen: an overview.Journal of Clinical Medicine.2022;11(15):4634. doi:10.3390/jcm11154634The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.What you should know about breakthrough bleeding with birth control.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Calculating your monthly fertility window.Dasharathy SS, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, et al.Menstrual bleeding patterns among regularly menstruating women.American Journal of Epidemiology. 2012;175(6):536-545. doi:10.1093/aje/kwr356Vitale SG, Watrowski R, Barra F, et al.Abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women: the role of hysteroscopy and its impact on quality of life and sexuality.Diagnostics (Basel). 2022;12(5):1176. doi:10.3390/diagnostics12051176MedlinePlus.Vaginal or uterine bleeding.National Health Service UK.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Jain P, Chauhan AK, Singh K, Garg R, Jain N, Singh R.Correlation of perceived stress with monthly cyclical changes in the female body.Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.2023;12(11):2927-2933. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_874_23The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Hormone therapy for menopause.The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Abnormal uterine bleeding.MedlinePlus.Endometrial polyps.Baylor Medicine.Cervical polyps.Al-Kuran OA, Al-Mehaisen L, Al-Karablieh M, et al.Gynecologists and pelvic inflammatory disease: do we actually know what to do?: A cross-sectional study in jordan.Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 6;102(40):e35014. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000035014Khan A, Shehmar M, Gupta J.Uterine fibroids: current perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:95-114. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S51083U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Thyroid disease.MD Anderson Cancer Center.10 Cancer symptoms women shouldn’t ignore.Nemours TeensHealth.All about periods (for teens).U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Pregnancy.MedlinePlus.Vaginal bleeding between periods.
Jacobson MH, Howards PP, Kesner JS, et al.Hormonal profiles of menstrual bleeding patterns during the luteal-follicular transition.J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2020;105(5):e2024-e2031. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaa099
Yale Medicine.Abnormal uterine bleeding.
The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Bleeding during pregnancy.
Archer DF, Mansour D, Foidart JM.Bleeding patterns of oral contraceptives with a cyclic dosing regimen: an overview.Journal of Clinical Medicine.2022;11(15):4634. doi:10.3390/jcm11154634
The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.What you should know about breakthrough bleeding with birth control.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Calculating your monthly fertility window.
Dasharathy SS, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, et al.Menstrual bleeding patterns among regularly menstruating women.American Journal of Epidemiology. 2012;175(6):536-545. doi:10.1093/aje/kwr356
Vitale SG, Watrowski R, Barra F, et al.Abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women: the role of hysteroscopy and its impact on quality of life and sexuality.Diagnostics (Basel). 2022;12(5):1176. doi:10.3390/diagnostics12051176
MedlinePlus.Vaginal or uterine bleeding.
National Health Service UK.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Jain P, Chauhan AK, Singh K, Garg R, Jain N, Singh R.Correlation of perceived stress with monthly cyclical changes in the female body.Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.2023;12(11):2927-2933. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_874_23
The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Hormone therapy for menopause.
The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.Abnormal uterine bleeding.
MedlinePlus.Endometrial polyps.
Baylor Medicine.Cervical polyps.
Al-Kuran OA, Al-Mehaisen L, Al-Karablieh M, et al.Gynecologists and pelvic inflammatory disease: do we actually know what to do?: A cross-sectional study in jordan.Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 6;102(40):e35014. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000035014
Khan A, Shehmar M, Gupta J.Uterine fibroids: current perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:95-114. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S51083
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Thyroid disease.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.10 Cancer symptoms women shouldn’t ignore.
Nemours TeensHealth.All about periods (for teens).
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Pregnancy.
MedlinePlus.Vaginal bleeding between periods.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
