The main difference between spotting and a period is the quantity of blood. Even when light, period blood is usually more consistent and lasts several days.
Spotting does not usually indicate a serious medical issue. However, noting the timing of the spotting, how long it lasts, and other relevant details can help determine what is causing it.
Some periods begin or end with spotting, and some people bleed more lightly than others. As such, it can be hard to tell the difference.
You’ll notice the language used to share stats and other data points is pretty binary, fluctuating between the use of “male” and “female” or “men” and “women.” While we typically avoid language like this, specificity is key when reporting on research participants and clinical findings.
Spotting is any bleeding from the vagina that is not due to a monthly menstrual period. Some people also refer to the light bleeding before and after a period as spotting.
Some people track their cycles and know what is normal for their bodies, so they can usually tell the difference between spotting and regular period bleeding.
Menstrual bleeding
Menstrual bleeding occurs roughly every
Each month, the uterine lining thickens to prepare for pregnancy. If a person does not get pregnant, the uterus sheds its lining, causing a monthly period.
Some traits of menstrual bleeding include:
- A regular schedule: While the time between periods varies among people, most experience periods around the same time each month.
- A predictable bleeding pattern: Every person’s menstrual bleeding follows its own pattern. For many people, a monthly period begins with light spotting, gets heavier for a day or two, and then gets gradually lighter, ending with spotting.
- Time spent not bleeding: Some people with hormone imbalances or health issues may spot throughout the month. Periods usually last
8 days or fewer . Experts consider bleeding beyond 8 days to be abnormal. - Other symptoms often accompany menstrual bleeding: In the week or so before a period, changes in hormones can trigger symptoms, such as breast tenderness and headaches. As the uterus contracts to expel the uterine lining as blood, some people 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 a period. Some people see large clots or strings of blood during their period, which is less common with spotting.
Spotting
Various factors can cause spotting, and every person’s spotting pattern may differ slightly.
Some characteristics of spotting include:
- Irregular timing: People may spot for a day, stop bleeding, and start again. Some people experience spotting intermittently throughout the month.
- Associated with predictable menstrual cycle events: Unexplained spotting is often irregular. But spotting can also occur alongside ovulation. Some people experience a day or two of light spotting every month.
- Possibly associated with injuries or other symptoms: Abdominal pain may occur during spotting, for example.
- Often a different color from normal menstrual period: Some people spot brown blood. Others find that the blood from spotting is lighter, a different texture, or smells different.
- May be related to hormonal birth control medication: Starting on new hormonal birth control might change the amount and timing of bleeding.
Spotting does not always mean something is wrong. Some of the most common reasons people experience spotting
Ovulation
When the ovaries release an egg at ovulation, a tiny follicle ruptures to allow the egg out.
In some people, this causes light spotting that lasts for a day. There might be a sudden twinge in the lower right or left abdomen a few days before ovulation occurs.
Ovulation spotting occurs in the middle of the cycle and is never heavy. Rarely, it may be accompanied by light cramping that lasts from a few hours to 1 day.
Uterine fibroids or polyps
Uterine fibroids and polyps are noncancerous growths in the uterus. However, they can grow quite large and may cause pain and other symptoms.
Many people with fibroids or polyps experience irregular bleeding between periods. Certain types of spotting can also signal the presence of these uterine growths. This includes spotting that lasts across several cycles or that is accompanied by:
Implantation bleeding
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.
The bleeding typically only lasts a day or two and occurs around a week after ovulation. This usually takes place about a week or two before a period is due.
Hormonal contraceptives
Hormonal contraceptives, including birth control pills and hormonal shots and implants, can cause spotting. Spotting is especially common in the first few months of starting these types of contraceptives, as the body’s hormones adjust.
Spotting may change over time, occur intermittently, or follow a predictable pattern. If spotting begins several months after starting birth control, with no previous spotting, it may point to an underlying problem, and it is best to visit a doctor.
Chestfeeding
Nursing suppresses ovulation, particularly if the baby is exclusively fed this way. It is essential to know that ovulation will occur about 2 weeks before the first period, so it is possible to get pregnant while nursing.
However, many people who are nursing experience spotting. Hormonal shifts related to nursing can cause spotting.
Hormonal changes that occur as the body prepares to ovulate for the first time after childbirth may also trigger spotting.
Injuries
An injury to the vagina, cervix, or uterus may cause abnormal bleeding. Rough sexual intercourse or a PAP smear, 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. However, unexplained bleeding that is heavy or accompanied by pain can be a medical emergency.
Pregnancy loss
Vaginal bleeding that is not due to a period can sometimes be a sign of a pregnancy loss, even if a person does not know they are pregnant. Very early pregnancy loss may even be mistaken for unusually heavy menstrual periods.
Bleeding during pregnancy is fairly common and is not always a cause for concern. However, it can sometimes indicate a serious issue, such as a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or placenta complications.
It is important to monitor any bleeding and consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause and ensure both maternal and fetal health.
STIs
Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding that looks like spotting. Some STIs may also cause unusual discharge or burning during urination.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is chronic pelvic inflammation caused by an infection. People with PID can experience fertility problems if it goes untreated. PID often causes spotting, particularly after intercourse. It can also cause pelvic pain.
Other conditions
Conditions that affect hormones
Bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease, are also common causes of heavy periods, particularly in adolescents and young adults.
Cancer
Although rare, spotting may be a symptom of cancer. Types of cancer that can cause spotting include:
Spotting as a symptom of cancer is often accompanied by pain and other symptoms and can last several months. Symptoms may get better and then worse, or get progressively worse.
The risk of these cancers increases after menopause and in those who have a family history of these cancers. It is never normal to experience vaginal bleeding after menopause.
Any instances of prolonged spotting or new and unexplained spotting warrant a doctor’s visit. People should contact a doctor immediately if:
A person should also see a doctor if the spotting:
- lasts more than a few days
- is accompanied by pain
- continues intermittently across more than one cycle
Sometimes people can adopt a wait-and-see approach. These circumstances include experiencing spotting that is:
- the same as spotting they have had before
- possibly due to implantation
- potentially due to ovulation
If a person is 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 a sign of a medical condition and may only be temporary.