Why spotty period

Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. A lighter period than normal can be caused by many things, including pregnancy, stress, illness, and other things. Sometimes a woman will have spotting and think her period is about to start and not see any more bleeding.

This can be implantation bleeding, which is the earliest sign of pregnancy, that is sometimes mistaken for a menstrual cycle. It can also be that your period simply is lighter that month. There are numerous reasons that your cycle might be different. Here are a few of the common ones. If you experience any form of an abnormal period, take a pregnancy test. A pregnancy test is the best way to tell if you are pregnant or not. This method is not expensive.

Pregnancy is the most likely cause of something being different in your cycle, particularly if you have not been using birth control. Most sporadic spotting between periods is usually not cause for alarm, but it is always best to err on the side of caution. If you have any further questions, or would like to set an appointment with Mid-City OB-GYN today, call to schedule an appointment. Starting Or Changing Birth Control Methods In this particular case, you may see spotting throughout your cycle or right before your period, which is also known as breakthrough bleeding.

Fibroids Many women first discover they have fibroids when they see their provider for spotting or extended heavy periods. Pregnancy Bleeding and spotting between periods can be the first sign a woman is pregnant. Hormonal Imbalances Hormones affect women in countless ways.

Illness Or Infection Sometimes women battling a simple illness like the flu can experience spotting, but more serious infections could also be triggering sporadic bleeding. Sexual Intercourse Yes, having sex can cause some spotting or bleeding afterward. Cervical Cancer Some of the more serious causes of bleeding and spotting can be cancer of the cervix or endometrial cancer. When To Be Concerned Most women know their bodies and can recognize when something changes.

A uterine fibroid is a non-cancerous growth in or on the uterus. While some women never experience symptoms, fibroids can cause spotting between periods. Fibroids can also cause longer and heavier periods. Other symptoms of fibroids include a feeling of fullness in the pelvis, frequent urination, pain during sex, and lower back pain. A doctor can usually confirm the presence of a fibroid during a physical exam or with an ultrasound. Spotting can be caused by an infection in the reproductive organs.

If this is the cause of your spotting between periods, it will likely be accompanied by a fever , pelvic pain which gets worse during sex, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge. This type of infection is caused when bacteria makes its way up the vagina and into the uterus or fallopian tubes. This usually occurs during menstruation, but it can also happen at other times during the month.

If you suspect that you have any sort of infection, you should consult with a doctor for treatment. Blunt trauma to the vagina can cause spotting or more intense bleeding, whether from an accidental injury, sexual intercourse , or sexual assault.

If you have been sexually assaulted, please seek help and support immediately. Both uterine and cervical polyps can cause spotting before periods. Cervical polyps are growths on the cervix that are usually benign but should be checked to be sure and produce symptoms such as spotting, increased vaginal discharge, heavier periods, and bleeding after sex.

Uterine polyps are similar, but grow in the uterus and are more common in women who are years old than in younger women. Symptoms include irregular periods, heavy periods, spotting between periods, spotting after menopause, and infertility.

You can still have periods without ovulation. They may look like spotting or a very light flow. Irregular periods is a symptom of PCOS. This condition is caused by hormones called androgens that can interrupt ovulation. Instead of developing and releasing one egg each cycle, the ovaries may develop multiple follicles but not release them. When this happens, you may experience light breakthrough bleeding or spotting instead of a true period.

An estimated 1 in 8 women may develop a thyroid condition at some point. One of the main symptoms is irregular menstrual cycles. When too much or too little thyroid hormone is released in the body, you may spot or have only a light period. Periods can also become heavy or stop. Light periods or spotting instead of a period is also a sign of excess stress.

This stress can be physical, meaning: too much exercise, strict dieting, or severe illness. It can also be emotional, which may be due to big life events, such as divorce, a death in the family, or an important work deadline. If you think stress is impacting your cycle, consider trying to find more ways to relax.

Engaging in regular activity may help, such as:. Hormones in different birth control methods, like the pill, patch, or shot, may cause spotting instead of a normal period. Estrogen helps to stabilize the lining in the uterus. This symptom is more common in the months after you first start using it.

Some methods are meant to be used continuously to help skip periods. You may also experience spotting with these methods. To get a full period, take off three to five days between packs of pills or rings. In rare cases, you may see spotting instead of your period due to underlying cervical or uterine cancers.

Seeing spotting instead of a period one month may not be a reason for concern. If your spotting is being caused by medical conditions, such as PCOS, thyroid issues, or STIs, you may experience other symptoms that prompt you to call your doctor. The same goes with possible pregnancy.