Spotting Before Period? Here Are 15 Potential Causes
Ever noticed a few drops of blood or red-tinged discharge – but it wasn’t your period? You’re not alone! Pretty much everyone who has ever had a menstrual cycle has probably experienced ‘spotting’ or light bleeding between periods at some point in their life.
It’s not necessarily considered ‘normal’ – but it does happen. Here’s why.
Sometimes, spotting before period is a normal sign that your hormones are fluctuating and/or shifting like they’re supposed to – for example during ovulation, pregnancy, and perimenopause. In other cases, spotting can be a sign of a more serious underlying health concern – such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and endometriosis.
In this article, we’ll be diving deep into the many different reasons why spotting occurs – including what it may mean for your health, when to seek medical attention, and strategies for staying on top of your overall hormone health. We’ll also answer some of your most frequently asked questions about spotting between periods.
Ready? Let’s go!
Key Takeaways
- A number of different factors – such as hormonal changes, stress, and certain health conditions can lead to spotting.
- Tracking your cycle characteristics (such as spotting, cramping, period dates, and hormone levels) is a great way to get to know your body so that you can spot patterns and identify unusual symptoms.
- If spotting becomes a regular occurrence, intensifies in volume, and/or is accompanied by other symptoms (such as pain, cramping, weight gain, or infertility), it’s a good idea to speak with a doctor. They can then assess your situation and provide further advice and treatment options.
Common Causes of Spotting Before Period
Hormonal fluctuations
Sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone are the driving force behind the menstrual cycle. Because they are constantly fluctuating, this can sometimes lead to spotting before period – especially in cases where overall hormone levels are out of balance.
Certain health scenarios, such as taking birth control, getting pregnant, and undergoing perimenopause can also lead to spotting.
When it comes to birth control, it’s normal for spotting to occur within the first three months of use. Barrier methods like latex condoms aren’t associated with spotting – however, the copper IUD may still cause bleeding even though it does not contain hormones. It’s also important to note that skipping pills, or completely stopping the use of birth control pills, can lead to spotting as well.
During pregnancy, spotting can occur as early as implantation. This is known as implantation bleeding, and it happens when a fertilized egg implants itself in the inner uterine lining. An estimated 25% of pregnant individuals experience implantation bleeding. It’s also common to experience light vaginal spotting during the first trimester, with as many as 20% of women experiencing some spotting during the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy. Please note: if spotting during pregnancy intensifies or is accompanied by cramping, it’s always best to consult with your doctor.
Another life event that may cause spotting is perimenopause – which can begin as early as your mid-30s. As the body transitions to menopause, hormonal fluctuations can lead to spotting, heavier periods, and irregular periods that become increasingly difficult to predict.
If you’re concerned about any symptoms of spotting and how they relate to your fertility status, it’s a good idea to get your hormones checked! Mira’s own Panorama Fertility Lab Test can screen for AMH (anti-mullerian hormone), which is a key biomarker for how many eggs an individual has. Mira’s Ovum Wands can also test for FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), which can provide insights into follicular health.
Stress
Psychological stress can wreak havoc on our hormones and menstrual cycle. When the body’s “fight-or-flight” response is triggered, the body starts to produce the stress hormone cortisol. High cortisol then causes estrogen levels to become elevated, leading to an overall hormone imbalance.
In the short term, our bodies and hormone levels can recover from the occasional stressful situation. However, if we are always stressed out, the body continues to produce cortisol (even when we don’t need it to!) and this can lead to prolonged hormone imbalance. This chronic hormone imbalance can then cause spotting before period and other irregularities with the menstrual cycle.
It’s worth noting that stress can negatively impact other aspects of our health. For example, stress can lead to weight loss, weight gain, and insulin resistance. It can even cause the immune system to weaken. All of these health challenges can then interfere with the menstrual cycle, potentially leading to spotting, anovulation, and missed periods.
To learn more about stress and how it affects the menstrual cycle, check out our article Stress and Fertility: How It’s Connected and How to Manage It.
Ovulation
Fluctuating hormone levels during ovulation can also lead to spotting. This rare phenomenon is known as ovulation spotting, and only about 4.8% of women experience it. The key characteristics of ovulation spotting are:
- Timing – it occurs around the time of ovulation (for most individuals, this is midway through the menstrual cycle although timings can vary).
- Volume – spotting will be light in volume and will only last for a day or two.
- Appearance – discharge may contain streaks of blood or a slight hint of blood. It can be light pink, red, or brown in color.
Again, ovulation spotting is caused by fluctuating hormone levels in the run-up to ovulation, particularly the sharp fall of estrogen after ovulation.
If you do regularly experience spotting midway through your cycle, it’s important to know that this symptom alone is not a guarantee that ovulation has occurred.
The best way to anticipate ovulation (and understand whether or not high estrogen levels are to blame for spotting) is by tracking your hormone levels directly. This can be done with the Mira App and Monitor, which enables you to predict ovulation with 99% accuracy. You can also confirm ovulation by tracking basal body temperature with Mira’s own BBT Thermometer.
Underlying health conditions
Abnormal spotting during your menstrual cycle can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition.
For example, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is known to cause spotting, irregular periods, and anovulation. This is due to the underlying hormone imbalance often present in PCOS patients, particularly high androgen levels and insulin levels (i.e. insulin resistance). Other common symptoms of PCOS include acne, difficulty getting pregnant, hair loss from the head, excessive facial and body hair, and rapid weight gain.
If you suspect that you have PCOS, it’s worth getting yourself tested to see if you are at risk. With Mira’s Panorama Fertility Lab Test, you can screen five biomarkers for fertility from the comfort of your home and receive five different reports, including a full Hormonal Balance Report and Menstrual Cycle Rhythm Report.
In addition to PCOS, other underlying health conditions that may cause spotting before period include uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and endometriosis. Spotting has also been linked to hypothyroidism, a condition that occurs when thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are abnormally high. This hormone, along with free thyroxine (fT4), can also be screened with Mira’s Panorama Fertility Lab Test.
Understanding and Managing Spotting
When to see a doctor
If spotting becomes a regular occurrence and/or intensifies in volume, it’s a good idea to book a consultation with your doctor – or at the very least, bring it up at your next checkup appointment. Your doctor will then be able to assess your symptoms, recommend any tests, and help you get to the bottom of why you’re spotting before your period.
It’s also a good idea to speak with a doctor if spotting occurs alongside other symptoms – such as:
- Intense pain or cramping in the pelvic area
- Fever, nausea, and/or dizziness
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Uncontrollable weight gain
- Unwanted hair loss/growth
- Acne or oily skin
If you’re not quite sure how often spotting occurs or if it’s connected to any other symptoms, we recommend keeping track of all your cycle characters in a journal or period-tracking app. This is the best way to stay on top of your symptoms ahead of a doctor’s visit.
If you’re not quite ready to book a doctor’s appointment but still want to discuss your concerns about spotting, Mira’s own Hormone Health Coaches offer a supportive place for you to ask questions and receive practical advice. They can also help you navigate your next steps and assess whether or not you should seek further medical assistance.
Diagnostic approaches and treatments
When discussing your symptoms of spotting with your doctor, they will start by asking you a few questions such as:
- How often does spotting occur? Does it follow a pattern?
- Are you experiencing any other abnormal symptoms related to your cycle or discharge?
- Is there a chance that you could be pregnant?
- Have you been struggling to get pregnant?
Next, your doctor will likely conduct a pelvic exam and cervical screening. They may also order additional tests such as:
- Blood test – to look at hormone levels, thyroid functioning, and general health
- Urinary pregnancy test
- Pelvic ultrasound
Treatments will vary depending on the root cause of spotting. In cases of PCOS, your doctor may prescribe hormonal birth control (if you do not want to plan a pregnancy) or medications such as Letrozole, Clomiphene or Metformin (if you do want to plan a pregnancy alongside having insulin resistance). In cases of hypothyroidism, your doctor may recommend iodine supplements and/or thyroid hormone therapy. If stress is to blame for an underlying hormone imbalance, your doctor may refer you to a counselor or mental health specialist for further guidance.
Again, everyone is unique and treatment strategies will vary depending on an individual’s medical history, the underlying cause of spotting, and their fertility goals.
Lifestyle and dietary considerations
Hormones are easily influenced by our lifestyle. For example, the foods we eat, how much sleep we get, and what our stress levels look like can all have an impact on how our hormones function. When our hormones are in balance and functioning properly, this reduces the risk of spotting and irregular periods.
Generally speaking, we all have the power to balance our hormone levels naturally by simply making healthy lifestyle choices.
Here are a few lifestyle tips to consider for good hormone health:
- Sleep – Adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep each day. Sleep not only supports hormone regulation, but it also controls our appetite and helps us cope with stress.
- Stress – Therapy, meditation, setting healthy boundaries, and setting aside time each day for yourself can all help to keep long-term stress levels in check.
- Diet – Incorporating plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean proteins, and whole grains into your diet can support a healthy weight and hormone functioning.
- Exercise – Regular exercise helps us sleep at night and contributes to a healthy weight. It even provides stress relief through the release of endorphins.
It’s important to note that not all hormone challenges can be resolved by making lifestyle changes. Certain conditions, such as PCOS and hypothyroidism, may require medication alongside positive lifestyle choices.
If you know that your body and hormone health would benefit from making certain lifestyle changes, but you’re overwhelmed with how to implement those changes into your daily life, consider speaking with a Hormone Health Coach at Mira. Our coaches offer emotional and practical support so that you can put a plan into action.
Conclusion
Spotting can be super frustrating and even alarming if you’ve never experienced it before. In some cases, it can be part of ovulation, pregnancy, and perimenopause. Other times, it may be a sign of hormone imbalance or a more serious underlying health condition.
No matter what your fertility or health goals are, if you are concerned about spotting, it’s always a good idea to speak with your doctor about it. They can provide you with the very best advice for your individual situation.
We’d also like to encourage you to be attentive to your menstrual health in your day-to-day life. You can do this through basic cycle tracking, or, you can monitor your sex hormones directly by using the Mira App and Monitor. This can provide you with more advanced insights into your hormone health.
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FAQs
Can stress cause spotting before a period?
Yes. Stress can lead to hormone imbalance which may disrupt the menstrual cycle. In some cases, this can cause spotting between periods.
Is spotting before a period a sign of pregnancy?
Sometimes. An estimated 25% of pregnant individuals experience implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself in the inner uterine lining. Implantation (and implantation bleeding) can occur as early as 8 DPO (days past ovulation).
Could spotting indicate a health issue like PCOS or cervical cancer?
Yes. Spotting may be a symptom of an underlying health concern. For example, spotting can be a symptom of PCOS, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and endometriosis. In very rare cases it may be a symptom of cervical cancer.
If you are experiencing abnormal vaginal discharge or spotting alongside other sudden and/or unusual symptoms, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor. They can assess your individual situation and recommend the appropriate next steps.
Can diet and lifestyle changes help manage spotting?
Yes. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can help your hormones stay in balance. This in turn supports menstrual cycle regularity and may help to reduce spotting.
To learn more about how our diet and lifestyle influences our sex hormones, check out our article 13 Ways to Balance Hormones Naturally (Lifestyle Guide).
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