Spotting Symptoms and Causes: Understanding the Basics

Spotting is a common phenomenon in young women and in most cases it does not cause any harm. That is, spotting is a very common problem. In fact, it occurs in the form of bleeding as a result of some injury, infection or discomfort. However, it should not be completely ignored, because it can also be a sign of some other health problem. It is not a sign of any woman being unwell, but if you are bleeding excessively or the color of the blood is more red, then it is a matter of concern. Apart from feeling troublesome and uncomfortable, spotting can also be a cause of stress. Sometimes it is also accompanied by pain. If sexually transmitted infection (STI) is the reason for this, then spotting can also be the cause of reproductive problems. If a woman experiences these symptoms during pregnancy, doctors advise her to get a medical checkup done, because during this time it can be normal as well as a warning of a serious problem. Whenever you feel uncomfortable with this type of bleeding, contact the doctor.

(Read more - Abnormal Uterine Bleeding)

• The main difference between spotting and menstruation is the amount of blood. In spotting, a very small amount of blood comes out of the vagina, which can appear as a little red mark on the underwear. But in menstruation, the bleeding is more, for which sanitary pads are required.
• There is a difference in the color of the blood of menstruation and spotting. If the blood is more red, it symbolizes menstruation and the blood of spotting is light brown in color.
• Spotting is a normal physical process, but sometimes it is also a sign of an unhealthy body, whereas menstruation always indicates the health of the woman.
• Spotting can happen at any time, while the time of menstruation is almost fixed.

(Read more -Metrorrhagia)

During menstruation, the blood flow is very high, due to which you have to use pads or tampons, but spotting is much less than menstruation and for this you do not need to use pads because during this time very little amount of blood comes out and the color of spotting blood is also lighter than the color of period blood. Spotting is another way to know whether you are having periods or not. You will experience the following symptoms before or during menstruation:

• Swelling
• Breast discomfort
• Cramps
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Nausea

(Read more – What does your period say about your health?)

Although sometimes spotting and menstruation occur at the same time, the symptoms of spotting are as follows:

(Read more – Menarche)

• Excessive Bleeding
• Itching and redness in the vagina
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Nausea
• Pain or burning during urination or sex
• Pain in the abdomen or pelvis
• Abnormal discharge and odor from the vagina.
• Weight gain

• Hormones: Hormonal changes during puberty and menopause can be one of the reasons for this. 
• Anatomical: Post-fertilization spotting can be caused by the development of polyps, fibroids (noncancerous) on the vulva, vagina or cervix. However, it can also be caused by ovarian or cervical cancer.
• Medication-related: Certain steroids and blood thinners can also cause spotting.
• During the menstrual cycle, when ovulation is about to occur, light brown or pinkish bleeding occurs but it stops within a day.
• Light pink bleeding may occur two weeks after the last menstrual period. This happens when the egg from the ovary travels to the fallopian tube. During this time, there may be a small amount of blood flow from the vagina. In most women, ovulation spotting is caused by increased estrogen levels during which the lining of the uterine lining is shed. 
• Only 20-30 percent of women experience spotting during pregnancy. In the first three months, when the fertilized egg is implanted on the uterine wall, most women mistake this implantation bleeding for menstruation because this bleeding occurs before they even know they are pregnant. 
• Pregnant women should take special care of this because sometimes it can be a sign of something serious. It can be a sign of miscarriage, placenta problems, ectopic pregnancy or premature labor. All these conditions require immediate medical treatment.
• In the last stage of pregnancy, bleeding can also be a sign of labor. This blood comes from the mucus plug when the body is ready for delivery. This usually happens after 37 weeks of pregnancy. If spotting occurs before this, you should consult a doctor. 
• If bleeding is not happening due to the above reasons, then sometimes it can also be due to infection. This infection can occur in the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix and ovaries and should never be ignored as it can have serious consequences. Spotting can also be a symptom of serious diseases such as cervical cancer, endometriosis, scarring of the uterine lining, etc.
• Irregular bleeding is also a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in which the ovaries produce excess male hormones.
• Breed birth control pills can also cause spotting, especially when you first start using them or when you change pills. Women who have an intrauterine device. 
• Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous lumps that form outside or inside the uterus. They cause abnormal vaginal bleeding and pain.
• Cervical polyps occur on the cervix. They are not cancerous, but they can cause bleeding. During pregnancy, they may bleed due to changes in hormones.
• Spotting can also occur due to fluctuations in hormone levels during menopause but once full menopause occurs, bleeding should stop.
• If there is any damage to the vagina during uncomfortable sex or sexual assault, spotting can occur.

(Read more - Period problems)

Occasional spotting can be ignored, but if any of these occur, see a doctor immediately:

• When spotting does not stop and bleeding becomes heavy
• Women taking hormone therapy after menopause may have spotting a few days a month. This usually stops in three to six months, but if bleeding is more than normal and persists even after six months, a doctor should be contacted
• Spotting in girls under 8 years of age, even though they do not show other signs of puberty
• Spotting should stop after menopause. Any bleeding from the genitals after menopause should be a matter of concern
• Spotting or light bleeding may be seen for a few days in newborn girls. If this happens even after one month, it is a matter of concern
• Fever with spotting, dizziness, excessive discharge from the genitals, pain in the stomach or pelvic area

(Read more -Black discharge during periods)

Depending on other symptoms, your doctor may do blood, hormone, pregnancy or thyroid function tests. He may recommend ultrasound of the pelvis, sonohysterography (special ultrasound of the uterus), pelvic MRI (to identify fibroids or cancer) or hysterography (for fibroids and polyps). Spotting is treated based on what is found through the test. Treatment methods include medication, removal of the uterus, insertion of a device in the uterus, changing birth control pills, myomectomy (removal of fibroids through surgery), removal of endometriosis tissues through dilation, curettage or uterine fibroid embolization (stopping the flow of blood, which shrinks the fibroids). Includes.

(Read more -What to do when periods are late?)

Spotting is a common medical condition in which there is light bleeding in the middle of the menstrual cycle. It usually occurs before or after menstruation and is so small in amount that it usually does not require a pad or tampon. Spotting can have many possible causes, such as hormonal imbalances, use of birth control pills, pregnancy, stress, or thyroid problems. Sometimes it can also be a sign of sexually transmitted diseases, uterine fibroids, or cervical cancer. If spotting is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms such as pain or heavy bleeding, it is important to consult a physician. Generally, spotting is not a serious problem, but it may require diagnosis and treatment so that any possible underlying condition can be identified and managed in a timely manner.