Bleeding between your menstrual cycles, also known as “spotting” or “intermenstrual bleeding,” can occur due to a few different reasons. While it doesn’t necessarily mean something bad is going on, spotting isn’t typical for most women. If you notice spotting, visit your doctor to get checked just to be sure.
To investigate why you have intermenstrual bleeding, a doctor will consider whether you have recently started using a normal contraceptive, whether you have had unprotected sex, if you may be pregnant, and your age. All of these situations can possibly explain why you may be spotting.
Why Spotting Happens Between Periods
There are four main reason why spotting may happen. They are:
1) Menopause
When the body is preparing to transition out of the child-bearing age, hormonal imbalance may occur that can cause spotting. This is usually a sign of transitioning to menopause.
2) Pregnancy
Spotting during pregnancy can be common, especially during the first couple of monthsi. If you have a healthy pregnancy, you shouldn’t be surprised if you are spotting. However, because spotting can be a sign of other more serious pregnancy related problems, you should see a doctor. A doctor will help to ensure the spotting is not caused by a more severe pregnancy related issue.
3) Contraception
Some hormonal birth controls, including implants, shots, patches, hormonal IUDS and birth control pills can lead to spotting. You can experience spotting just after starting to use a contraception or shortly before stopping use of the pills. You can also experience spotting if you skip a pill or two.
If you experience a lot of bleeding every month, consult your doctor. Excessive bleeding may be a sign that the birth control you are using is not right for you.
4) Ovulation
Sometimes, you may notice spotting a day or two after ovulation. This happens regularly to some people. If you are tracking your ovulation cycle to help support or avoid pregnancy, it is important to not confuse ovulation spotting with menstrual bleeding.
Should You tell Your Doctor?
As discussed earlier, spotting can be a normal for some women. However, making an appointment to see your doctor is recommended. A doctor can help explain or diagnose a serious condition early.
Some serious conditions that can be linked to intermenstrual bleeding includes:
- Uterine or cervical cancer
- Ovarian cysts
- Uterine polyps
- Thyroid issues
- Ectopic pregnancyii
How to Manage Regular Spotting
Your doctor may have determined that your spotting is perfectly normal, and it might be something that you will have to deal with from time to time. We recommend wearing Carefree® Acti-Fresh® Thin liners daily for light protection on spotty days. The liners are so thin and light, you won’t even notice them. Moreover, you will be confident knowing you are covered.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
i. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003156.htm
ii. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4921709/