In some cases, it is a matter of waiting it out, such as when starting a new hormonal birth control. It can take your body a few months to adjust, and then the spotting will stop.
During that time, you may experience spotting for a week or two each month. Other treatments may include the prescription of additional hormones to regulate the cycle, the removal of polyps or fibroids, or in severe cases surgery.
If spotting is the result of an infection, then treatment of that infection should clear it up. 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. Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app? Download K to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor in minutes. Paz has two degrees in chemistry from Harvard and earned his medical degree from Columbia University.
Registry Builder New. Medically Reviewed by Tarun Jain, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Implantation bleeding can mimic period bleeding, but it could also mean that you're pregnant. Back to Top. In This Article. Continue Reading Below. Read This Next. When Does Implantation Occur in Pregnancy?
Early Signs of Pregnancy. Spotting can be a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy 7. This is a pregnancy that is growing somewhere other than the uterus, usually the fallopian tube.
If you experience symptoms of spotting and suspect you may have an ectopic pregnancy, seek immediate medical help. Spotting can also be caused by infections and physical changes in the reproductive tract, or hormonal imbalances. Physical conditions that can cause spotting episodes include fibroids abnormal growth of muscle tissue on your uterus , uterine or cervical polyps abnormal growths on your cervix or the inside of your uterus and endometriosis 8.
Pelvic inflammatory disease PID , which happens when certain pelvic infections like STIs go untreated, can also be another culprit for unscheduled spotting. Other symptoms of PID can include pain in the lower abdomen, unusual vaginal discharge , and fever 9.
Urinary tract infections UTIs can cause bleeding from the urethra where you pee from, between your clitoris and vagina. Pain while urinating, paired with a small amount of blood on the toilet paper, might be signs of a UTI Consistently spotting after penetrative vaginal intercourse is not considered normal.
Bleeding after sex postcoital spotting is often caused by an issue with the cervix or polyps Some people may experience spotting after their first intercourse experience, which is normal. Spotting can also occur around the time of ovulation. Spotting a few days before the period starts, in the late luteal phase , might suggest low progesterone especially if your luteal phase is unusually short 13 , but more research is needed.
Other signs of an underactive thyroid hypothyroidism include:. Certain cancers can cause abnormal bleeding, spotting, or other forms of vaginal discharge. These may include:. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes , liver disease, kidney disease , and bleeding disorders, may cause spotting between your periods.
Spotting is different than the bleeding you experience when you have your period. Typically, spotting:. Pregnancy tests measure the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin hCG in your urine. You should also see your doctor if your period is over a week late and you have a negative pregnancy test.
Your doctor can run tests to determine if an underlying condition is responsible for your missed period. You should see your doctor if you have unexplained spotting between your periods. Although it may be nothing to worry about or go away on its own, it could also be a sign of something more serious.
Try to record exactly when your spotting occurs and any other symptoms you have so you can share this information with your doctor. Spotting before your period can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of these require prompt medical treatment, while others are harmless. You should see your doctor if you experience spotting. Spotting is lighter than a period and may indicate that you have an underlying condition.
Call your doctor if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding. Some symptoms are easy to identify as potentially serious health problems. Chest pain, high fever, and bleeding are all typically signs that something…. You may see red, brown, and even black blood during your period. Here's what the different period blood colors mean and when to see your doctor. Learn when a light period is nothing to worry about, and when it may be the sign of something more serious.
Learn ways to manage the birth control shot side effect of irregular bleeding and when you should see a doctor. Throughout your menstrual cycle, the color and consistency of blood can change.
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