What do spotting periods mean

In some cases, spotting indicate ovulation, a process in which an egg comes out of a cyst within the ovary. The increase in estrogen levels causes the cyst to burst and release the egg, which may lead to mild abdominal cramping and light spotting.

Pregnancy is another possibility. You will experience light bleeding when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus. It is called breakthrough bleeding. If you've noticed light bleeding after period, you can take a number of steps to correct the underlying problem.

You can choose from a variety of treatment options, including hormonal therapy that involves taking birth control pills to correct hormonal imbalance. This will also help remove ovarian cysts and shrink uterine growths. Your doctor may consider removing large ovarian cysts, fibroids, or polyps through a surgical procedure. If you're younger than 11 or post-menopausal and bleeding, you should go see your doctor immediately.

It is also a good idea to contact your doctor when you notice heavy vaginal bleeding between periods. Most women will experience spotting at some stage in their lives, which is normal, so long as it's not heavy bleeding and stops in a few days. If you experience heavy bleeding that continues for more than a week, you should contact your doctor. Also, seek immediate medical assistance if you experience sharp pain in the pelvis with bleeding.

Copyright WWW. Last Updated 26 October, Here's more about it: 1. However, certain symptoms include unusual vaginal discharge burning while urinating, spotting between periods, pain in your stomach, back pain, nausea, and pain during sex.

Gonorrhea is another common STD that, if untreated, can lead to infertility and can spread to parts of the body such as the blood, joints, heart, or even the brain. Symptoms include yellow or vaginal discharge that may smell bad, a burning sensation while urinating, pain during sex, and spotting between periods.

Gonorrhea can also be in other parts of your body, such as the throat and anus. Trichomoniasis and genital herpes can also cause cervicitis. To prevent any types of STDs, go get regularly tested at your doctor or local clinic. Spotting between periods can also be caused by ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are small sacs that develop in your ovaries and are filled with fluid.

You may not know you have ovarian cysts until one ruptures. If one ruptures, you can experience lower pelvic pain, spotting, and severe discomfort. It is important to go immediately to the doctor if you are in extreme pain. Normally, doctors will wait and see if the cysts resolve themselves. Uterine Fibroids also known as leiomyomas or myomas are noncancerous growths of the uterus that can occur during your childbearing years.

They can range in size from tiny growths that are almost undetectable to the human eye, to large, bulky growths that can alter and enlarge your uterus.

You can also have more than just one fibroid at a time. It is common for women to have fibroids at some point in their life, as they show no symptoms and can be so small it is undetectable. However, some women who experience uterine fibroids have symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, spotting between periods, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, and constipation.

Although uterine fibroids are not usually dangerous, they can cause pain and discomfort and can lead to complications, such as anemia from heavy blood loss. Uterine Polyps, or Endometrial Polyps, are noncancerous growths that are attached to the inner wall of the uterus that extend into the uterine cavity. Polyps may be associated with fibroids. Polyps form when there is overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus. They are mainly found in women who are going through or have finished menopause, but it is possible for younger women to get polyps as well.

Usually, these are noncancerous. However, some can be cancerous and turn into cancer. While polyps usually stay in the uterus, some can travel through the opening of the uterus cervix into the vagina. Symptoms for polyps include irregular menstrual bleeding, spotting before periods, vaginal bleeding after menopause, and infertility. Seek a doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

Adenomyosis is a noncancerous growth that occurs when endometrial tissue exists within and grows into the muscular walls of your uterus. The endometrial tissue thickens, breaks down, and bleeds, like it should in a normal menstrual cycle. However, an enlarged uterus can be painful and cause you to spot between periods and have heavier periods.

While the cause of Adenomyosis is unclear, it usually occurs after menopause. Some treatments can relieve pain, but the only cure is a hysterectomy. PID is a serious health concern that can affect the fertility in women. In fact, one out of eight women with PID have difficulties getting pregnant. There are no tests for PID, and it might be hard to detect as symptoms are mild.

Symptoms include pain in lower abdomen, fever, unusual discharge and bad odor from your vagina, spotting between periods, bleeding during sex, and burning sensation when you urinate. See a doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms. It is also important to get tested every year for STDs to be sure you have all the information you need to prevent this.

PID is curable, if found early. The longer you wait for treatment, the more damage that can ultimately occur. Antibiotics are a cure for PID, but only if you finish your entire dosage. Detection is key. Ectopic pregnancy, also known as eccyesis or tubal pregnancy, is a complication in pregnancy where the embryo forms and attaches outside the uterus.

In a normal pregnancy, a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg occurs in one of the tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy cannot end normally. The fertilized egg has no chance for survival, and the growing tissues might destroy some reproductive parts. It can lead to extensive blood loss and can be life threatening for the mother.

In the beginning, an ectopic pregnancy might not show any symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they are usually the same as any pregnancy, such as missed period, tenderness in the breasts, and nausea. However, spotting and light vaginal bleeding and pain in your pelvis and abdomen are the first signs of an ectopic pregnancy.

See a doctor immediately if you are experiencing severe pain in your abdomen or pelvis, vaginal bleeding, extreme lightheadedness, fainting, and shoulder pain. Ectopic pregnancies can occur for a few reasons, including inflammation, infection, fertility issues, structural concerns in your body, contraceptives, and smoking. Spotting can be a sign of malignant cancers, such as endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancers. Endometrial cancer is the most common of the gynecological malignancies, and the most curable.

It arises from the glandular tissue within the uterine lining. Unfortunately, most patients do not experience symptoms until the cancer has widely metastasized. Symptoms include fatigue, bloating, abdominal swelling, gastrointestinal issues such as gas, nausea, and indigestion, change in bowel movements, and vaginal spotting.

Ovarian cancer is a growth of abnormal malignant cells that begin in the ovaries. Women with ovarian cancer report symptoms that are persistent and are abnormal for their bodies.

Symptoms include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, abnormal spotting, or urinary symptoms. Cervical cancer is detected through pap smears screenings and pelvic examinations. Vaginal spotting is the first type of symptom of the disease. Heavier vaginal bleeding, heavy vaginal discharge, and lower abdominal pain are other symptoms that occur. For all of these cancers, early detection is key.

Routinely go in for frequent checks and talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms. Vaginal spotting between periods has many potential causes. They can be normal and just a part of life, or they can be serious and even life-threatening.

It is important to understand your symptoms and body and routinely go to the doctor. But before you do, take the quiz below to find out about your specific condition. Questions may relate to diseases, illnesses, or conditions you may have or that may run in your family. Your answers will help us provide you with medical information and identify services that may be relevant to your health. Buoy Health uses reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards such as firewalls, encryption, identity management, and intrusion prevention and detection to protect your information.

We will not share your information with third parties unless you give your consent or unless permitted by applicable law. Try our AI assistant here. Informed by current CDC guidelines. Skip to main content Skip to accessibility services Buoy Logo. Nav Close Icon. Nav Open Icon. Health articles Chevron Icon. Featured topics. Symptom checker. Editorial standards.

Who we serve Chevron Icon. Brokers and Consultants. Solutions Chevron Icon. Care Navigation. Sections Icon. What is spotting between periods? When to contact a health care provider. Buoy Chat Icon. Birth Control Script.

Most symptoms of cervical cancer are similar to those of more common conditions, such as PCOS or endometriosis. It is important to attend regular Pap tests, which can help a doctor diagnose HPV or cervical cancer. Cancer treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy , and radiation therapy.

Though most long periods will resolve on their own, if a person experiences any of the following symptoms, they should speak to a doctor:. Some people find that certain home remedies help relieve their period symptoms sooner. These home remedies include:.

Having a single period that does not seem to stop is not usually a sign of a serious medical problem. However, if it is painful or bothersome, a person can speak to a doctor about possible solutions. Having long periods frequently can indicate one of several potential conditions, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

A doctor can help diagnose and treat these conditions. Often, taking hormonal birth control pills or switching the type of hormonal medication can help people find relief. Endometriosis is a common condition among women. During menstrual periods it can cause severe pain, cramping, and heavy bleeding. While there is…. Certain home remedies and lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, can help people to regulate irregular periods.

In this article, we look at…. Research has consistently shown that people can reduce the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome by following a healthful diet. In this article…. Vaginal bleeding between periods is a common experience with many possible causes.

When this occurs, a person may notice light brown spotting in their…. Causes and treatments for a period that won't stop. Intrauterine devices. Hormonal birth control. 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. How to stay safe while having fun this Halloween. Environmental factors significant contributor to heart disease. Processed foods impair memory — can omega-3 help? LOVEphage: Scientists identify a new gut virus. Related Coverage.