What is it, why am I experiencing it, what do the different colors mean, is it related to the birth control pill I'm taking, and when should I go to the doctor?
To understand what your body is doing throughout these periods, we'll answer these questions.
How Is The Detecting Going? We'll start with "spotting" and define it.
Breakthrough bleeding, or spotting, is menstrual blood that flows outside of the "normal" period. Your vaginal lining loses nutrients throughout your "regular cycle" if you're not pregnant. Menstruation or period are more common terminology for this time. There's generally a cause for vaginal bleeding outside of your menstrual cycle.You might start spotting before or after your period. This vaginal bleeding may cause many symptoms. Blood spots may vary in color and quantity.
When does a spot normally appear?
Spots may emerge at any time during menstruation. Hormones, food, and even infections will influence when and why it occurs.Breakthrough bleeding is frequently caused by uterine lining that didn't come out with the rest of the blood during a period. Don't panic if this occurs. This happens regularly.
Spotting during a woman's menstrual cycle is common with hormonal contraception. Patients may have breakthrough bleeding after using this contraceptive for up to three months. As your body adapts to the hormones in your birth control, this is typical. Starting an intrauterine device (IUD) or using synthetic progesterone supplements might cause long-term spotting. Most of these contraceptive methods will change your body chemistry.
Sometimes uterine fibroids induce excessive menstrual bleeding. During childbirth, the uterus might develop benign fibroid growths. Trauma to the uterus, cervix, or vagina may also cause abnormal uterine bleeding. Sexually transmitted infections, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer may cause this illness. If you notice spots, don't worry. Always consult a healthcare provider to discuss when to take further action.
Spots of pregnancy. Ovulation, pregnancy, and spotting are frequent causes. Examples include:
Breakthrough bleeding and vaginal discharge may occur after an egg is released without implantation. The egg's follicle may rupture and bleed. Ovulation spotting happens when an egg is released and usually lasts a day. This kind of spotting often causes one-sided stomach cramps.If you're trying to become pregnant, implantation bleeding may seem like breakthrough bleeding (bleeding that occurs when an egg is fertilized). Implantation bleeding, also known as implantation spotting, is a favorable early pregnancy sign that usually happens 10-14 days after the fertilized egg has bonded to the uterine wall. Implantation hemorrhage may cause breast pain, back pain, cramps, nausea, and an upset stomach. In the week before menstruation, a woman may bleed from implantation.
After implantation, spotting may develop in the first trimester. Atypical bleeding during pregnancy may indicate a variety of causes.
Sex during pregnancy is typically safe, but there are exceptions. See a doctor if you're pregnant and bleed after sexual activity. Rarely, this kind of pregnancy spotting is connected to a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. If you have any concerns, visit a doctor.
How do my hormones affect my spotting?
Hormones may be troublesome. When levels are off, odd things happen. If estrogen levels drop before progesterone levels rise, spotting may develop around ovulation. The uterine lining may shed prematurely due to a lack of progesterone and a fast estrogen drop. Estrogen causes the endometrium to thicken. Always consult with a doctor to determine that your hormone levels are normal.Hormonal contraception might mess up your hormones. What's the difference between "bleeding" and "spotting?"
Vaginal bleeding may occur in many ways. Spotting may occur at any moment in the monthly cycle and lasts just a day or two, unlike a menstrual cycle's 3-7 days of bleeding. Small quantities of blood, typically mixed with other waste, might be any color from brown to pink.Should I worry if I start spotting before my period?
Spotting isn't typical menstrual bleeding, so it might be alarming. However, the color of the blood may indicate the issue. It may also reveal the cause of this bleeding.Most of the time, spotting is okay but always consult a healthcare provider when concerned.
The color of your blood may tell us two things about your health: first, your hormone levels might indicate how your body is feeling. It may also show how long this blood has been in the body.
- Brown: low progesterone levels might cause dark spotting and uterine lining failure during menstruation. The uterus maintains excess tissue until menstruation, when it expels it.
- Dark crimson: Old blood that hasn't oxidized yet may leave dark crimson or purple spots. It may also mean estrogen is taking control. An overabundance of estrogen, a growth hormone, thickens the uterine lining and makes menstruation heavy, dark, and clot-ridden. Women who stain with dark red or purple blood generally have painful menstruation symptoms.
- Bright red: A favorable estrogen-to-progesterone ratio and bright red period blood indicate healthy menstruation.
- Light red: Blood mixed with cervical fluid or other discharge may produce discoloration. Estrogen or other hormone deficiencies may cause such colors.
- Grey: If your blood is becoming grey, obtain medical attention immediately.
In addition to color, watch for pain and irregular periods if you're concerned about your spotting. See a doctor if you experience spotting that lasts more than a few days, makes you dizzy, smells bad, causes severe cramps, or possibly be pregnant.
