Article by:
Amelia Grant
Spotting is light vaginal bleeding that occurs between periods. There are a lot of factors that can contribute to spotting. Some of them are harmless while others may require medical attention. In this article, we have gathered nine common causes of spotting you should be aware of.
1. Hormonal contraception
If you have started to take birth control pills or use any other type of hormonal contraception, you may experience light vaginal bleeding between periods. Additionally, spotting can occur if you skip a dose of a hormone or change the type of your birth control. In most cases, spotting disappears over time. But if it persists, it is better to consult your gynecologist.
2. Pregnancy
After conception, the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This can result in mild vaginal bleeding. The implantation bleeding is usually light pink to dark brown in color, is much lighter in the flow than during the normal period, and doesn't last as long as the regular period. So if your bleeding is heavy, you need to visit a doctor for a thorough examination.
3. Ovulation
Many women don’t experience any symptoms of ovulation and even don’t know when it occurs. Bit some women can heave noticeable symptoms like pelvic pain, spotting, sticky vaginal discharge, and increased sex drive. Spotting during ovulation is not a reason for concern in most cases, but if it is accompanied by some unusual symptoms, it is better to contact your gynecologist.
4. Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that affects women who have an increased level of male hormones. It can manifest itself through multiple cysts on the ovaries, acne, weight gain, hirsutism, spotting, irregular or missed periods, and infertility. Even though polycystic ovary syndrome is not curable, treatment can help manage your symptoms.
5. Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop on the uterine walls. In most women, fibroids are asymptomatic but others can experience pelvic pain, lower back pain, pain during sex, prolonged and heavy periods, and spotting. If you are diagnosed with fibroid and experience at least some of the aforementioned symptoms, fibroid removal can improve your well-being.
6. Sexually transmitted infections
There are a lot of insertions and viruses that can be transmitted through unprotected sex. The can develop asymptomatically or cause various symptoms including:
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Abnormal vaginal discharge with a strong odor
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Vagonal bleeding after sex and between periods
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Vagnal itching, swelling, and redness
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Rases, bumps, or ulcers on the genital area
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Pelvic pain
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Pain during sex
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Genital warts
If you have noticed at least some of these symptoms, it is better to contact your doctor and undergo STD testing as soon as possible.
7. Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition that occurs when the infection spreads to pelvic organs. If you have untreated bacterial vaginosis or STIs, you have an increased risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease. The most common symptoms of this condition are fever, severe pelvic pain, spotting, abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during sex, and infertility.
8. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue that outlines the uterus starts to grow on pelvic organs. Some women with endometriosis don’t experience any symptoms while others face severe periods with heavy blood flow, pelvic pain, pain during sex, spotting, and problems with fertility. Timely treatment can help you ease your symptoms and even improve your fertility.
9. Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a quite serious condition that affects many women. In the initial stage, it usually doesn’t cause severe symptoms. But when cancer progresses, it can lead to spotting, abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during sex, pelvic pain, and other severe complications. To prevent the development of cervical cancer, you need to visit your gynecologist and undergo Pap tests regularly.