Hormonal changes that occur as the body prepares to ovulate for the first time after childbirth may also trigger spotting. An injury to the vagina, cervix, or uterus may cause abnormal bleeding. Rough sexual intercourse or a PAP test , for example, can irritate the cervix or vaginal tissue and cause bleeding.
However, unexplained bleeding that is heavy or accompanied by pain can be a medical emergency. About half of women who experience bleeding during pregnancy will have a miscarriage. In some cases, bleeding is the first sign that a woman is pregnant. Very early miscarriages may even be mistaken for unusually heavy menstrual periods. Some sexually transmitted infections STIs can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding that looks like spotting. Gonorrhea is a common culprit, and may also cause unusual discharge or burning during urination.
Pelvic inflammatory disease PID is a type of chronic pelvic inflammation caused by an infection. Women with PID can experience infertility if symptoms go untreated.
PID often causes spotting, particularly after intercourse. It can also cause pelvic pain. Although rare, spotting may be a symptom of cancer. Types of cancer that can cause spotting include:.
Spotting is often accompanied by pain and other symptoms and can last several months. Symptoms may get better and then worse, or get progressively worse. Women who are past menopause or who have a family history of these cancers are at a heightened risk. It is never normal for postmenopausal women to experience vaginal bleeding.
Any woman who experiences prolonged spotting or new and unexplained spotting should go to the doctor. Women should contact a doctor immediately if:. Sometimes women can adopt a wait-and-see approach. These circumstances include experiencing spotting that is:. If women are unsure which of the circumstances described applies to their situation, then it is better to be cautious and contact a doctor for advice.
In the majority of cases, however, spotting is not the sign of a medical condition and may only be temporary. Birth control is used to prevent pregnancy. Find out about the different means available, how they work, and how effective they are. Menstruation is a natural effect of the production of an egg in the ovaries. For many, it can be hard to distinguish between spotting and periods. Spotting is quite common and is usually no cause for concern. It may just…. Many people have some spotting, or breakthrough bleeding, when they start taking the birth control pill.
The body can take up to 6 months to adjust to…. What causes spotting before a period? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Share on Pinterest Spotting may be an early sign of pregnancy. Birth control pill. Hormone fluctuations. Post-sex bleeding. Perimenopausal spotting. Cervical cancer. Spotting vs. When to see a doctor. Share on Pinterest A person should seek medical advice if spotting is accompanied by an unusual odor or unexplained fever.
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Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What causes bleeding between periods? Medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, P. What does the color of period blood mean? Certain medicines, such as blood thinners, thyroid medications, and hormonal drugs, can cause vaginal bleeding between your periods. Sometimes, an underactive thyroid can cause you to spot after your period ends. 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.
It can be thin and watery one day, and thick and clumpy the next. Abnormal uterine bleeding is any vaginal bleeding that occurs between periods. How late is too late for a period to come? We'll break down how to know if it's late or just not coming this month and some common reasons why. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What Causes Spotting Before Periods?
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