What is Spotting?
Spotting refers to light vaginal bleeding that happens outside your regular menstrual period. It may appear as a few drops of pink, red, or brown blood and usually doesn’t require a pad, tampon, or menstrual cup.
It can show up:
- A few days before your period
- Mid-cycle (around ovulation)
- After sex
- During early pregnancy
- Due to hormonal fluctuations
Spotting is typically harmless, but understanding the causes and when to take action can help you feel more in control of your cycle.
Spotting vs. Your Period: What’s the Difference?
Here’s how to tell whether it’s spotting or your actual period:
| Feature | Spotting | Menstrual Period |
| Flow | Very light - doesn’t require protection or may just need a liner | Heavier - requires a menstrual cup, disc, pad or tampon |
| Duration | A few hours to 1–2 days | Typically 3–7 days |
| Timing | Unpredictable, outside of your cycle | Occurs on a regular monthly schedule |
| Colour | Pink, red, or brown | Usually darker red or brown |
| Other symptoms | No PMS symptoms (e.g. cramps, mood swings) | Often includes common period symptoms |
If the bleeding is light and doesn’t feel like your usual period (especially if there’s no cramping or mood changes), it’s likely spotting.
Common Causes of Spotting
The most common causes of spotting include:
- Hormonal Contraceptives: Birth control pills, hormonal IUDs, patches, or implants can cause spotting, especially in the first few months while your body adjusts.
- Ovulation: A small amount of bleeding around ovulation (mid-cycle) can be due to a brief drop in estrogen. This is usually nothing to worry about.
- Early Pregnancy: Implantation bleeding may occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often lighter than a period and short-lived.
- Uterine Fibroids or Polyps: These benign growths can cause irregular bleeding between cycles.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS may disrupt ovulation, leading to light or irregular bleeding.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea can cause bleeding between periods or after sex.If you experience unusual discharge, pain during urination or sex, or pelvic discomfort along with spotting, it is important to get tested for STIs promptly.
- Perimenopause: During the years leading up to menopause, hormonal fluctuations may cause irregular bleeding or spotting.
- Stress & Lifestyle Factors: High stress, major weight changes, disrupted sleep, or intense exercise routines can all affect your hormones and lead to spotting.
Less Common but Serious Causes
While rare, spotting can sometimes indicate more serious conditions:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
- Cervical or uterine cancer
If spotting is persistent or accompanied by pelvic pain, fatigue, or unexpected weight loss, speak to a doctor promptly.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Contact a healthcare provider if:
- Spotting occurs frequently or lasts longer than a few days
- You’re pregnant or think you might be
- It’s accompanied by pain, unusual discharge, or fever
- You’ve had unprotected sex
- You feel unsure about changes in your body
Using a menstrual cup or menstrual disc may help you track even light bleeding more easily, making it easier to notice changes or patterns in your cycle.
Spotting is usually a natural part of your body’s rhythm, but it can sometimes signal something more. By learning the difference between spotting and a period, you’re better equipped to understand your body and care for your health.
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