{"id":62576,"date":"2024-01-12T15:50:48","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T20:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=62576"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:15:24","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:15:24","slug":"spotting-before-period-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/spotting-before-period-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"What causes spotting before your period? Related conditions and treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s not uncommon to experience light spotting, even though you’re not due for your <\/span>period<\/span><\/a>, but it can still be frustrating to wonder whether it is just spotting or a sign of your period coming early. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Spotting is usually light bleeding that may or may not require a pad—sometimes it is just noticed when wiping,” says <\/span>Kevin W. Hamburger, MD, OB-GYN<\/span><\/a> at Siouxland Women’s Health Care. “Period bleeding is usually heavier and continuous for a few days to a week.” Dr. Hamburger says that it’s common to spot a day or two before your full period comes and that it is not a cause for concern unless it becomes a pattern. It’s possible to have<\/span> light cramping<\/span><\/a> with the spotting, especially during the few days leading up to your period.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes spotting before a period?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A <\/span>typical menstrual period<\/span><\/a> lasts between two and seven days and occurs every 21 to 35 days. Although we think of menstrual periods as times of moderate to heavy bleeding, sometimes they start light, with what looks like spotting. As such, most cases of spotting before a period are simply normal variations of bleeding patterns.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Spotting before your period is quite common and usually not a reason to worry,” says <\/span>Shandra Scruggs, RN, labor and delivery nurse, doula, and the founder of<\/span> Simply Birthed<\/span><\/a>. “It’s <\/span>often linked to hormonal changes that naturally happen in your menstrual cycle.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, sometimes spotting before a period has other causes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stress and lifestyle changes<\/span><\/h3>\n

Stress and lifestyle changes can affect your hormones, which can sometimes lead to spotting before a period. “Stress, especially high-stress levels, can mess with your hormones and lead to spotting,” Scruggs says. Additionally, many circumstances and life stressors can affect hormone levels, causing spotting. “This includes illness, stress, new medications, and weight changes,” adds Dr. Hamburger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weight loss or <\/span>weight gain<\/span><\/a> can change the frequency, timing, amount of bleeding, length of bleeding, and more. This is usually due to the change in estrogen levels that occur with weight fluctuations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Polycystic ovarian syndrome<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to <\/span>Cleveland Clinic<\/span><\/a>, hormonal imbalances, including conditions like <\/span>polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)<\/span><\/a>, can cause spotting before a period. When you have<\/span> PCOS<\/span><\/a>, your ovaries produce excessive amounts of androgen hormones, which cause you to have irregular periods and unpredictable or absent ovulation. This may mean that your periods are few and far between or that you experience abnormal bleeding. Some people also experience heavier than normal bleeding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Endometriosis<\/span><\/h3>\n

As the<\/span> American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)<\/span><\/a> notes, endometriosis is a common cause of abnormal bleeding. With<\/span> endometriosis<\/span><\/a>, your uterine tissues grow in areas outside of your uterus, including your bowels, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, and bladder. Pain is the most common symptom, but other symptoms include lower back and pelvic pain, pain during sex, and spotting between periods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ovulation<\/span><\/h3>\n

Any type of issue with ovulation can lead to potential spotting before periods or irregular bleeding, according to the ACOG. For example, if you don’t ovulate for a few cycles in a row, the lining of your uterus can become too thick, leading to irregular bleeding, which can range from light to heavy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perimenopause<\/span><\/h3>\n

Perimenopause<\/span><\/a> is defined as the years leading up to menopause, which is the cessation of having monthly periods. During this transition, irregular periods are common, according to ACOG. This includes longer periods, spotting before and between periods, or having lighter or heavier periods than normal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hormonal birth control<\/span><\/h3>\n

Taking hormonal birth control can sometimes cause irregular bleeding and spotting before your period, according to <\/span>MedlinePlus<\/span><\/a>. If you are using birth control pills, this can happen when you skip a dose. “The most common reason I have seen for spotting is when women forget to take their contraceptive pills,” Dr. Hamburger says. “Since some birth control pills are so low dose nowadays, missing even one dose can cause breakthrough bleeding.” Dr. Hamburger says that spotting is also common when using contraceptive implants like <\/span>Nexplanon<\/span><\/a>. Combined estrogen and progesterone contraception (pills, patch, ring) may be used to regulate abnormal periods. Some progesterone-only contraceptives (Nexplanon implant, Depo Provera injection, and hormonal Intrauterine Devices) commonly have irregular menstrual bleeding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cervical polyps<\/span><\/h3>\n

“Spotting before your period, and especially after vaginal intercourse, is often caused by a cervical polyp,” says Dr. Hamburger.<\/span> Cervical polyps<\/span><\/a> are benign, small growths found on your cervix that can bleed easily. Your gynecologist may spot them during a pelvic exam, and they can be removed if they are causing issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sexually transmitted infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sexually transmitted infections (<\/span>STIs<\/span><\/a>), such as chlamydia, trichomonas, herpes, and gonorrhea, may cause abnormal bleeding between periods,<\/span> according to Mayo Clinic<\/span><\/a>. Other possible symptoms include unusual vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, pain or burning when peeing, and pain during vaginal intercourse. STIs can also lead to a complication called<\/span> pelvic inflammatory disease<\/span><\/a>, which is a serious infection of the reproductive organs that can cause symptoms that include bleeding between periods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fibroids<\/span><\/h3>\n

Fibroids<\/span><\/a> are benign growths that occur inside your uterus, in the uterine muscle wall, or on the outer surface of your uterus. Many people have no symptoms, but abnormal bleeding, including spotting between periods, is possible. Other symptoms may include heavy menstrual bleeding, cramping, pelvic pain, pain during sex, and lower back pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pregnancy<\/span><\/h3>\n

It’s common to experience spotting during early pregnancy, such as when you expect your period. This can be a sign of <\/span>implantation bleeding<\/span><\/a>, which is spotting that occurs when your fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining.<\/span> According to the ACOG<\/span><\/a>, between 15% and 20% of women experience bleeding in early pregnancy, either from implantation bleeding or increased blood flow to the cervix. If your bleeding is heavy or accompanied by severe cramping, nausea, or shoulder pain, you should contact a healthcare provider, as these symptoms may be signs of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cervical or endometrial cancer<\/span><\/h3>\n

Although a much less common cause of spotting before periods, sometimes cervical cancer or endometrial cancer (cancer of your uterine lining) can lead to spotting or irregular bleeding, according to MedlinePlus. When it comes to<\/span> cervical cancer<\/span><\/a>, there are often no symptoms in the earlier stages. Spotting between periods, bleeding after sex, or having longer than usual periods are some of the potential symptoms once the condition advances. Endometrial cancer usually affects older postmenopausal women in their mid-60s, according to the ACOG, and abnormal bleeding is one of the earliest symptoms. Thus, it is important that you stay current on <\/span>regular screening for cervical cancer<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should I be worried about spotting before my period?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Spotting before your period is normal, and almost all women experience it at one time or another. The Cleveland Clinic reports that between 10% and 35% of women experience abnormal uterine bleeding, which may include spotting before periods. Irregular bleeding is most common when girls first get their periods and also during the menopause transition (perimenopause).<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally speaking, if you experience spotting before your period for a cycle or two, and no other concerning symptoms, there is usually nothing to worry about. But if it continues, you may need to reach out for help. “If it becomes repetitive or a pattern, you should be evaluated by your doctor,” says Dr. Hamburger. Additionally, any vaginal bleeding after menopause should be evaluated by a gynecologist, as this is never normal, Dr. Hamburger emphasizes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides the duration of spotting, there are other symptoms or circumstances that may warrant a visit to your healthcare provider. “These circumstances may include consistent or prolonged spotting before every period, heavy bleeding outside of the normal menstrual cycle, severe pain or cramping along with spotting, pain during vaginal intercourse, and new or unusual symptoms like fever, chills, pelvic pain, or abnormal vaginal discharge,” says Scruggs. These signs could indicate an underlying condition or infection, she explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you know you have a medical condition that could cause spotting, like endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, or cervical polyps, you may consider reaching out to your provider to see if your spotting is a sign that the condition is worsening. Complications can arise from spotting before a period, depending on the cause, which is why you should see a provider if your spotting symptoms aren’t going away or are accompanied by other symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the time, spotting on its own doesn’t require a trip to the ER, and you can schedule a visit with your healthcare provider to discuss any concerns. However, if you begin to develop <\/span>heavy bleeding<\/span><\/a> (soaking through a pad or tampon within an hour for two to three hours), severe cramping, fever, or dizziness, you should contact emergency services.<\/span><\/p>\n

How is the cause of spotting before periods diagnosed?<\/span><\/h2>\n

If your spotting persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, you should make an appointment with your primary care provider, gynecologist or OB-GYN. According to the<\/span> American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)<\/span><\/a>, if you visit a healthcare provider for unusual bleeding, you should come to the appointment with a list of any medications or supplements you are taking and any notes on your periods, including start and end dates and symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your doctor may ask you questions about your periods, including when the spotting takes place, what color and consistency it is, and any concurrent symptoms you have. They may also need your full medical history. It can be helpful to track periods on a calendar or a menstrual period tracker app.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, your doctor may perform a series of tests and exams to understand what is causing your spotting, including:<\/span><\/p>\n