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.
bymuratdeniz / Getty Images
bymuratdeniz / Getty Images
What Is Spotting?
Spottingis when you have light bleeding, not due to a regularperiod.
What Causes Spotting Before Periods?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Medication
Certain medications canaffect your period.
Uterine or Cervical Polyps
Uterineandcervical polypsare abnormal growths that form on the uterus or cervix.
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.
Symptoms can include abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, andurinary incontinence.
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.
You might have different symptoms, such as bloating and cramping.
Everyone’s cycle differs.
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.
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.
Most pregnancy tests can detect HCG about 1215 days after ovulation.
But it’s usually harmless.
It may mean that you’re ovulating, pregnant, or need to change contraceptives.
But spotting can also be a symptom of a health problem.
Treating conditions such as endometriosis, thyroid problems, and infection can help put an end to spotting.
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