In many cases, occasional spotting between periods is nothing to worry about.
This can be anticipated and unconcerning, such as with the use of birth control or in perimenopause.
Or it may be due to a hormonal condition like thyroid disease that requires medical attention.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Shifts in your hormones, particularly estrogen.
Pregnancy
Menstruation temporarily stops during pregnancy.
That is normal and expected.
But, there are hormonal medical conditions that can cause spotting and heavier bleeding between periods, too.
These require treatment:
Common Infections
Infections are another common cause of bleeding between periods.
The tissues in your reproductive system are very sensitive, so inflammation there can easily lead to bleeding.
This can be more likely after having vaginal sex.
Spotting can be a sign of:
An infection may cause vaginal discharge along with spotting.
Depending on what is causing the infection, the vaginal discharge can be white, yellow, or green.
Uterine Conditions
Certain conditions that affect the uterus may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Stress can affect your menstrual cycle.
Sometimes, being under a lot of stress can make your period late or early.
You might even miss a period.
Normal Menstrual Bleeding
Normal menstrual bleeding lasts aboutfive to seven days.
During your period, the uterine lining sheds because it’s not needed to support a pregnancy.
For example, some people have spotting during ovulation.
What Is Ovulation Bleeding?
This jot down of bleeding occurs just before or after your period when your estrogen levels dip.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Any pop in of vaginal bleeding between periods is considered abnormal.
Occasional light spotting between periods may not be a reason to worry.
If you gotta use feminine products, keep track of how many you go through in a day.
This can give your provider a sense of how much you’re actually bleeding.
When Is Bleeding Between Periods an Emergency?
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