Have you ever noticed a light bleeding before or after your periods? Then you are not alone.

This is a commonly experienced symptom which is termed as spotting. It is characterised by the light period.

However, spotting is not limited. There are many situations when women may notice spotting. It is generally not a cause for concern.

But there should be accurate differentiation between periods and spotting. Through this blog by Karetrip, you will get to know about what is spotting and major differences between spotting and periods.

What is Spotting?

Are you wondering what spotting is ? Well , spotting typically refers to the intermittent and light bleeding that happens outside of the regular menstrual cycle. This amount of blood may be sometimes brown or pink in colour.

Spotting can be for many reasons including hormonal fluctuations, birth control use or as a sign of implantation during early pregnancy. It is generally very lighter compared to normal periods. It does not necessarily require a sanitary product such as a tampon or pad. If it is persistent for a long time , consulting with a healthcare professional is recommended.

Differences Between Spotting and Periods

What are the actual differences between spotting and periods? Well , there are many factors which differentiate the two including volume , flow , timing and colour. There are some differences. The major ones are listed below:

• Volume of the flow : Periods involve a moderate to heavy flow which will last for several days. Spotting means the flow will be lighter, often a very small quantity of blood and it will last for a shorter duration.

• Consistency and colour: Spotting blood is very light in colour whereas period blood is usually bright red in colour and may have some clots. Spotting blood may be pink or brown in colour.

• Duration: Periods may last for an average three to seven days whereas spotting occurs intermittently and this can last for a very short duration and this will range from a few hours to a couple of days.

• Timing in Menstrual Cycle: Periods follow a regular, predictable menstrual cycle but can happen at any point in the menstrual cycle and are not necessarily tied to the regular menstrual pattern.

• Symptoms : Menstrual cramps , bloating and mood swings will come along with periods. Spotting occurs without significant associated symptoms but may be related to hormonal changes.

• Causes : Periods refers to the shedding of the uterine lining in the absence of pregnancy. Spotting is caused by various factors including hormonal fluctuations , contraceptive use , pregnancy implantation or underlying health conditions.

• Products for protection : Periods normally require the use of sanitary products like pad or menstrual cup and spotting do not need any protection and can also be managed with panty liner.

Is Spotting Before Your Period Normal?

For some women , spotting before their period is completely normal. It is also associated with hormonal fluctuations and may occur because of various reasons such as change in oestrogen and progesterone levels.

This can be also influenced by factors like stress , lifestyle change or certain contraceptives.

Even though occasional spotting is considered normal , persistent or heavy spotting is not considered normal and it should be discussed with a doctor to rule out any underlying issue.

It is always recommended to consult with a doctor if you have concerns about your menstrual health.

What Causes Spotting Before Periods ?

If you have regular periods , you will also have experienced spotting. There are some possible reasons why spotting happens before periods . Some of them are listed below :

• Hormonal fluctuations which involve change in oestrogen and progesterone level especially in menstruation which will lead to spotting before periods.
• Spotting may be also due to early pregnancy when the fertilised egg gets implanted in the uterus.
• Change in lifestyle , stress , significant change can also impact hormonal level and contribute to spotting.
• Hormonal contraceptives like Birth control pills or intrauterine devices can cause spotting as the body adjusts to these hormones.
• Women during their menopause may experience irregular periods and spotting due to hormonal change.
• Polyps or growth that occurs in the uterus or cervix can cause spotting.
• Inflammation of reproductive organ is another cause of spotting
• Thyroid imbalance can also contribute to spotting
• Consuming certain medications that have side effects is also a cause.
• Endometriosis or a condition in which the tissue is similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus which can cause spotting.
• Infections on reproductive organs such as PID may also lead to spotting.

Risk Factors Associated With Spotting

Spotting occurs in women:

• who are at the verge of menopause
• Are pregnant
• Have switched birth control methods or recently started pills.
• Infection of sex organ including STDs and Pelvic inflammatory diseases ( PID)
• Have fibroid tumours in the uterus.
• Have polycystic ovary syndrome.

When To Call a Doctor

If you constantly experience spotting , consulting with a healthcare professional is recommended. Spotting can also be an early sign of pregnancy. It is advisable to visit your doctor if you have consistent experience or the spotting is heavier than usual.

If you are postmenopausal and experience any symptom , it is very crucial to consult with a doctor for checking if there is any underlying issue. You should also consult a doctor if you have other signs such as pain , discomfort or change in menstrual pattern along with it.

When you experience light bleeding or spotting you may be knowing what to expect now. It is also important to note that individual experience may vary , concerns about irregularities in periods may vary and it should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

FAQs

1.Does spotting mean you’re pregnant?

Even though there is no scientific proof for this , spotting can be a sign of pregnancy . Implantation bleeding which occurs when a fertilised egg gets attached to the uterine wall can cause spotting and could be mistaken for a light period. However , spotting can have various reasons.

2.Can you take a pregnancy test while you have spotting?

Yes, you can take a pregnancy test while spotting. Some women may have light bleeding or spotting around the time of implantation which is when a fertilised egg gets attached to the uterine wall. In this case , a pregnancy test may help in order to check the authenticity.

3.How much bleeding is considered spotting?

Spotting is marked by very light and minimal bleeding. It occurs intermittently and does not require the use of sanitary products such as pad or tampon . The blood flow during this time will be much lighter than a menstrual flow.

4.How do I know if it’s spotting or my period?

Differentiating spotting and regular periods involves factors such as duration, colour, flow volume and associated symptoms. If you are not sure of this, it can be helpful to track your menstrual cycle and any irregularities.