Common Causes
The biggest difference between spotting and your period is the amount of blood. A period can last for several days and require a tampon or pad to control your flow. However, spotting produces much less blood and doesn’t typically require the use of these products.
Related Conditions
Spotting is any bleeding from the vagina that is not due to a woman’s monthly period. Some women also refer to the light bleeding before and after a period as spotting. Some women track their cycles and know what is normal for their bodies, which means they can usually tell the difference between spotting and regular bleeding.
Is spotting the same as period?
Spotting may not have any symptoms associated with it, but if it happens as a result of a medical condition, you may have other symptoms like:
- Heavy bleeding during the menstrual period
- Irregular periods
- Abdominal pain
- Burning or pain during urination
- Pain or burning during sexual intercourse
- Vaginal discharge, redness, or itching
Does spotting count as your period?
- Spotting happens when you have light bleeding in between periods.
- The bleeding is usually light and isn't accompanied by any premenstrual symptoms.
- Some causes of spotting include pregnancy, vaginal tears, hormonal birth control, stress, and more.
- Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.
How will I know if spotting or montly period?
What could cause spotting between periods?
What are the symptoms of spotting?
Spotting may not have any symptoms associated with it, but if it happens as a result of a medical condition, you may have other symptoms like: Heavy bleeding during the menstrual period. Irregular periods. Abdominal pain. Burning or pain during urination. Pain or burning during sexual intercourse.
What does it mean when you have a spotting?
Spotting refers to very light vaginal bleeding or brown discharge that occurs mid-cycle between menstrual periods . Menstrual periods are the monthly bleeding that occur in women of reproductive age. Spotting may be due to a number of causes.
What causes spotting? Is it serious?
Implantation bleeding: Many women experience spotting in the early weeks ( first trimester) of pregnancy. Implantation bleeding is a common cause of spotting. This occurs early in pregnancy, when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus (known as implantation). A woman may mistake this light implantation bleeding for a menstrual period and therefore not realize she is pregnant.
How do doctors diagnose the cause of spotting?
The cause of vaginal bleeding or spotting requires a thorough history of the symptoms (when the bleeding or spotting is occurring and any associated symptoms, birth control methods, and history of any medical conditions or infections).
What to do if you are not sure if you are having your period?
What to do if you are not sure if you are spotting or having your period. Talk to your doctor or other health care professional if you are not sure if it is your period, or if you are spotting. Remember, spotting is light bleeding that does not get heavier like a typical menstrual period.
How long does a woman's period last?
Most women recognize their menstrual period. The typical menstrual cycle lasts 28 days . The menstrual bleeding is heavy enough to require the use of a pad or tampon and lasts for 3-5 days on average.
What is a pregnancy test?
A pregnancy test is performed for women of reproductive age. Special tests like a Pap smear or cultures may be ordered. In some cases, blood or urine tests are ordered. Imaging studies such as vaginal or abdominal ultrasound may be useful in diagnosing the cause of spotting or bleeding.
What Causes Spotting
Spotting can be normal and nothing to worry about, or it can be an indication of a problem that warrants attention by a healthcare professional.
Summary
Spotting is light bleeding that may appear as spots of blood in the underwear. Unlike menstrual bleeding, it typically does not require the use of a pad or tampon. Spotting can have many causes, including ovulation, early pregnancy, infections, or injuries to the genital area. If you are concerned about spotting, speak with your doctor.
A Word From Verywell
Knowing what is normal for your menstrual flow allows you to identify when you are having abnormal vaginal bleeding. Whenever you have a concerning symptom, call your healthcare professional for advice. They have heard such questions often and will be able to ensure you get appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
What does it mean when you have a spotting?
Spotting is any bleeding from the vagina that is not due to a woman’s monthly period. Some women also refer to the light bleeding before and after a period as spotting. Some women track their cycles and know what is normal for their bodies, which means they can usually tell the difference between spotting and regular bleeding.
How long does ovulation spotting last?
In some women, this causes light spotting that lasts for a day. There might be a sudden lower right or left twinge a few days before as ovulation occurs. Ovulation spotting takes place in the middle of the cycle and is never heavy. Rarely, it may be accompanied by light cramping that may last from a few hours to one day.
How often does a woman have a period?
Menstrual bleeding occurs roughly every 28 days in non-pregnant women. Each month, the uterine lining thickens to prepare for pregnancy. If a woman does not get pregnant, the uterus sheds its lining, causing a monthly period.
Why does my period feel like it's cramping?
As the uterus contracts to expel the uterine lining as blood , some women experience cramping that can range from mild to intense. Menstrual blood is usually red: The color can help differentiate a period from spotting, although the blood may be brown at the beginning or end of the period.
What causes bleeding in the vagina?
Injuries. 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. If the bleeding is minor and not accompanied by pain, it’s usually fine to see if it goes away.
What is the pattern of bleeding?
A predictable bleeding pattern: Every woman’s menstrual bleeding follows its own pattern. For many women, a monthly period begins with light spotting, gets heavier for a day or two, and then gets gradually lighter, ending with spotting.
What happens after sperm fertilizes an egg?
About a week after a sperm fertilizes an egg, the egg must implant in the uterus. Sometimes this causes light bleeding known as implantation bleeding.
What is Spotting?
Spotting can occur at various times throughout your cycle and even when you initially get pregnant. About 20 percent of women experience spotting during the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy, while nearly 5 percent of women experience spotting during the middle of their cycle.
How long does a woman's period last?
A menstrual cycle can last anywhere from 15 to 45 days, according to research, during which a woman usually has her period for anywhere between three to seven days. However, there can be times during a woman’s cycle where she experiences bleeding that isn’t quite a period.
What tests are done to check for irregular bleeding?
Your doctor will go over your symptoms and do a physical exam to assess you and likely will do other tests, such as a pelvic exam, a Pap smear, a pregnancy test or a vaginal or abdominal ultrasound to diagnose what is causing the irregular bleeding.
Can you have a polyp in your period?
If you have polyps or fibroids, your doctor will need to perform surgery to remove these growths. Every woman’s cycle varies, and you may occasionally experience spotting between periods. However, if this becomes a regular occurrence, there could be an underlying health issue you need to address.
Can spotting cause bleeding?
Another good indicator the bleeding may be due to spotting, is if you don’t have any other menstrual symptoms, like breast tenderness or cramping. If you normally have these symptoms right before your period, but they aren’t present during the time you notice some irregular bleeding, then it’s probably spotting.
Whats the difference between period and spotting?
A menstrual cycle can last anywhere from 15 to 45 days, according to research, during which a woman usually has her period for anywhere between three to seven days.
How to Tell the Difference Between Spotting and Your Period
The biggest difference between spotting and your period is the amount of blood. A period can last for several days and require a tampon or pad to control your flow. However, spotting produces much less blood and doesn’t typically require the use of these products.
Getting Treatment
If you spot bleed on a regular basis, you should schedule an appointment to see your doctor.
How long does implantation bleeding last?
"Some women experience implantation bleeding as heavy as the first day of their menstrual cycle, but it typically only lasts a couple of days," says Jay M. Berman, M.D., FACOG, chief of gynecological services at Detroit Medical Center's Harper Hutzel Hospital and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Wayne State University. "When it ends, the woman may feel like her period is about to start or might have breast tenderness or some nausea and may even start to feel pregnant ."
What does it mean when you have heavy bleeding?
If you experience heavy bleeding that isn't implantation or period related (after a positive pregnancy test, for example), it could be what's known as first trimester bleeding, a common phenomenon that occurs in 15 to 25 percent of women early in their pregnancy. "But it might also be the first sign of a pregnancy loss or even an ectopic pregnancy ...
When do you get your period?
If your body follows a 28-day menstrual cycle, you won’t get your period until after day 28. So, if you’re bleeding earlier and lighter than normal, there’s a good chance it’s implantation bleeding, not your period.
What does it mean when your period starts off light?
Your period may start off light, but the flow gets stronger. Cramping. Cramping that signals implantation is usually light and short-lived. Cramping that comes from your period is usually more intense and lasts longer. Every woman has her own pain threshold: You know your body best, so listen to it.
How long does it take for implantation bleeding to happen?
Timing of implantation bleeding. The 2-week waiting time from ovulation to the next menstrual period can be pretty frustrating if you’re hoping to be pregnant. Interpreting the signs correctly can be tricky, but luckily, sometimes timing — in addition to the symptoms above — can help you pinpoint what’s going on.
How soon after conception can you test for pregnancy?
A blood pregnancy test — administered at a doctor’s office — can detect pregnancy as soon as 11 days after conception. Remember, though, that hCG isn’t produced until after implantation, so testing for pregnancy at the first sign of implantation bleeding is likely to result in a negative result.
What happens when the placenta detaches from the original site of implantation?
Subchorionic hemorrhage. This happens when the placenta detaches from the original site of implantation.
What color is a bleed?
Color. Implantation bleeding is more likely to be a pinky-brown color. Menstrual bleeding, on the other hand, may start off light pink or brown, but it soon changes into crimson red.
What test do you take to check if you are pregnant?
Pregnancy tests measure the level of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG) in your blood.
What happens when you see spotting?
When an egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, it embeds itself into a woman’s uterine wall. Upon attachment, it is normal to shed a small amount of the uterine lining, which is expelled outward through the woman’s vagina.
What are the symptoms of a woman's period?
Typical symptoms of menstruation include: headache or backache, upset stomach, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, uterine cramping, and mood swings. If bleeding is accompanied by these normal symptoms, it’s possible that the woman is experiencing a normal period.
How long does implantation bleeding last?
Implantation bleeding will last at a minimum of a few minutes and at a maximum of only 3 days. If bleeding or spotting lasts longer than 3 days, it is likely not implantation bleeding, though it should not be ignored if it comes at a time when a woman would not expect her regular period.
How long does it take for a woman to have her period?
She can generally expect to have her period about two weeks following ovulation. However, if pregnancy has occurred, implantation bleeding can be seen one week before regular menstruation.
How long does a woman's pain last during her period?
Advertising. 4. Check the amount. Menstruation length can widely vary, but a woman can expect typical bleeding to last from 3-7 days in length. As a woman ages, menstruation is likely to shorten in length and lessen in intensity.
Is it normal to have uterine cramps during implantation?
Note: Mild uterine cramping is normal for both regular menstruation and implantation bleeding, but if the bleeding is occurring together with intense abdominal and/or vaginal pain, seek medical attention. Intense pain could be a sign of early miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Advertising. 4. Check the amount.
Can intuition tell you if you are pregnant?
A belief in the power of a woman’s intuition has led many to believe that they can perceive a pregnancy long before showing any symptoms. If, after examining color, timing, symptoms, and amount, a woman still is unsure whether the blood is linked to implantation bleeding or period (or something else entirely), she should check her own intuition. By listening to one’s body, women can often detect a feeling that something is “off,” before there is any solid evidence to support it. It is very important, however, to keep an open dialogue with your doctor about any “feelings” and symptoms you might have.
