Light bleeding before your period, or spotting, is common and usually harmless. Here’s what can cause spotting, and when you should talk to a doctor about it.
If you notice light bleeding between periods, you may be wondering what’s happening.
Spotting before your period, also called breakthrough bleeding or intermenstrual bleeding, is pretty common. Spotting is light in both flow and color, and avoiding leaks and stains doesn’t call for much more than a panty liner.
Spotting can happen for lots of different reasons, and it’s often totally normal. Some cases of spotting, though, may need a doctor’s attention.
Here are seven reasons you might have spotting before your period, plus information about when you should see a doctor.
1. You’re pregnant Spotting before your period can be a very early sign of pregnancy.
You’re officially pregnant when a fertilized egg makes it to your uterus, implants in your uterine lining, and becomes an embryo.
This implantation stage can sometimes cause spotting, known as implantation bleeding. Around 15% to 25% of people experience implantation bleeding. It tends to occur towards the end of your cycle, between 10 to 14 days past ovulation .
Since this is around the time you may expect your period, it can be hard to tell implantation bleeding from a period . Here’s the key: implantation bleeding is generally light in flow and color, more pink-brown than red, and doesn’t last long; a period is usually heavier, redder, and longer.
If your period is late in a cycle where you suspect you may have experienced implantation bleeding, consider taking a pregnancy test a few days to a week after your missed period.
2. You’re ovulating Some people experience spotting around the time of ovulation . This spotting is also known as midcycle bleeding, since ovulation happens towards the middle of your cycle.
>>MORE: Ovulation Bleeding vs. Implantation Bleeding: What’s the Difference?
Ovulation spotting is generally light in color and lasts a day or two.
According to a 2012 study , about 5% of people who ovulate may experience ovulation spotting. However, the study was relatively small, so that percentage could be higher.
How can you tell if spotting coincides with ovulation? By tracking your cycle and hormones with an at-home fertility test . That way, you can note which cycle symptoms, spotting or otherwise, may be related to ovulation.
3. You recently started or changed hormonal birth control If you recently started or changed hormonal contraceptives, spotting and irregular cycles are to be expected during the first few months as your body adjusts to the new hormones.
Types of birth control that commonly cause spotting include:
Pill Patch Intrauterine device (IUD) Implant Shot Ring Spotting can also occur when you stop and restart hormonal contraception, even for a short period of time. If you forget to take the pill one day, for example, you may experience spotting.
Spotting from hormonal contraception typically resolves itself without treatment in a few months. However, consider talking with your doctor if your spotting is very heavy or continues for many months. In this case, other forms of contraception may be a better choice for you.
4. You have a hormonal imbalance Your cycle and period are controlled by your hormones.
A precise balance of rising and falling hormones triggers different events. Rising estrogen during the follicular phase , for example, thickens the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy. After ovulation, if no pregnancy occurs, falling progesterone causes the thickened lining to shed—that’s your period.
When you have a hormonal imbalance , hormone levels aren’t correctly balanced with one another, and functions in your cycle don’t always happen the way they should. Various symptoms may occur, including spotting before your period.
Hormonal imbalances can be caused by a number of underlying health conditions. If you have other symptoms of a hormonal imbalance , like irregular periods and vaginal dryness, consider making an appointment with your doctor to find and address any issues.
5. You have an underlying health condition Spotting isn’t necessarily cause for concern, but in some cases, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Health conditions that may cause spotting before your period include:
Cervical polyps Uterine polyps Uterine fibroids Ovarian cysts Endometriosis Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)Thyroid disorders Certain STIs, like chlamydia, can also cause breakthrough bleeding.
Spotting could also be a sign of certain cancers like cervical, uterine, or vaginal cancer, but this is much rarer than other health-related reasons.
If you don’t have a diagnosed condition and you suddenly experience frequent or heavy spotting before your period, consider talking with your doctor to determine what may be causing it.
If you do have a diagnosis, be sure to keep your doctor informed about any ongoing symptoms.
6. You’re in perimenopause Perimenopause is a period full of hormone changes, and with changing hormones comes changing cycles.
If you’re in perimenopause, you’ll likely experience spotting at some point during your transition to menopause. In fact, spotting before your period and irregular cycles are among the first signs of perimenopause .
In addition to spotting, types of perimenopause periods also include:
Heavier periods Shorter or longer cycles Skipped periods Vaginal atrophy , another common hormone-driven symptom of perimenopause, can also cause spotting between periods. This condition thins the vaginal wills and decreases vaginal secretions, leading to symptoms like vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation, as well as spotting, particularly after sex. Like other symptoms of perimenopause , vaginal atrophy is treatable .
If you suspect you may have started perimenopause, tracking your hormones using an at-home perimenopause test can help you get a grasp on what’s happening in your body. Hormone tracking can also help you understand which fluctuations are linked to which symptoms, so you can be prepared for different periods of your cycle.
If you’re trying to get pregnant during perimenopause , hormone tracking is particularly useful for confirming ovulation, finding your fertile window , and timing sex to optimize your chances of conceiving.
7. You’re experiencing spontaneous spotting Sometimes spotting just happens, and there isn’t necessarily an explanation!
Our bodies are complex, intricate systems, and even small influences can change what happens inside. Factors like stress, travel, overexercise, weight fluctuation, or changes in diet can all impact the menstrual cycle and potentially cause spotting before your period.
Breakthrough bleeding may also become more frequent as you get older.
When to see a doctor about spotting before your period Occasional spotting before your period often isn’t cause for concern. However, some cases of spotting may require medical attention.
Consider contacting your doctor if:
You experience heavy spotting, more similar to full bleeding, between periods You consistently experience spotting every cycle or almost every cycle You experience other signs of a hormonal imbalance Spotting is accompanied by symptoms like pelvic pain, fatigue, or dizziness Spotting before your period: the bottom line If you experience spotting before your period, it could be related to factors like pregnancy, ovulation, hormonal contraception, or perimenopause.
Many cases of breakthrough bleeding don’t require medical attention, but be sure to keep track of how often spotting occurs and how heavy it is.
In some instances, spotting could be a sign of an underlying health condition. If you suspect something is off, talk with your doctor about your spotting to find and address any problems.
