Many women experience light bleeding or spotting between periods. Spotting accompanied by lower abdominal pain and tiredness for a couple of days needs medical attention. This HerHaleness article enlists the causes of spotting before a period. It also includes reasons for spotting instead of a period.
Any vaginal bleeding that occurs in between the two consecutive menstrual periods is described as spotting. However, a pregnant woman may notice light spotting but no period. Even if a woman is not pregnant, she may experience spotting and no period. Excessive stress and significant life changes, from pregnancy to menopause, often lead to spotting. In most cases, there is nothing to worry if you notice spotting in place of period, but there are certain conditions which can lead to spotting and which need prompt medical attention.
Spotting but No Menstruation: Causes
- Release of female egg by the ovaries is termed as ovulation. As the egg is ready for fertilization, the uterus starts preparing for the safety of the embryo. When the fertilized female egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, some women experience spotting. This is known as implantation bleeding. So, ‘spotting but no period’ can be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.
- If spotting continues for a couple of days, and if it is followed by pelvic or abdominal pain, dizziness, or lightheadedness, it can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy (the fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube). In such cases, women may not get positive results on a pregnancy test. Spotting in case of negative pregnancy test should not be neglected. Some internal complications can give rise to such a situation.
- Hormones estrogen and progesterone play an important role in regulating the menstrual cycles. Physical and mental stress, wrong diet, environmental or lifestyle changes, alcohol abuse, excessive smoking, drug abuse, use of certain medications, can lead to hormonal imbalance. This may lead to delayed periods and slight bloody discharge between the periods.
- Sometimes, blood takes more time to come out of the vagina, and spotting is experienced as the old blood makes its way through the vagina. This is quite normal.
- Discomfort or pain during intercourse, and spotting after the intercourse may occur due to uterine fibroids.
- Spotting instead of menstrual period can be experienced due to endometriosis, wherein the mucous membrane of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It generally grows near the bladder, ovaries, bowels, etc.
- Some women experience light spotting every month at the same time as they ovulate.
- Sometimes, spotting can be considered as a sign of impending menstruation. It may indicate that your periods are about to start within a day or two. But don’t panic if your periods don’t start immediately. Menstruation may start after a week.
- Occurrence of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or ovarian cyst due to elevated androgen levels can lead to spotting and no period. Untreated PCOS can lead to permanent infertility. So, you should consult a gynecologist.
- Thyroid gland disorders, irritation of vagina due to dryness, and uterine prolapse can be the cause of spotting.
- Obesity, diabetes, hormonal imbalance etc. can disturb menstrual cycles.
- Infection of the vagina, uterus, or cervix can be the cause of intermittent spotting.
- Serious diseases like anemia, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and many sexually transmitted diseases can cause spotting.
- Use of certain medications and drugs can lead to light discharge, and can even delay the periods. Medications like ibuprofen and aspirin make the blood thin. Thinning of blood may result in release of some blood through vagina.
- Birth control pills can lead to spotting between the periods. Spotting is sometimes experienced as the aftereffects of these drugs. The artificial hormones present in the birth control pills may lead to irregular cycles and spotting.
- Many times, miscarriage takes place before the woman knows that she is pregnant. Spotting can be an early sign of a miscarriage. If you notice dark brown staining or excessive spotting with cramping, you should immediately consult your doctor.
- In case of breastfeeding women, light bleeding or spotting can be the first sign of the return of fertility.
- Missing the period is a sign of pregnancy. But slight vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy sometimes indicates low progesterone levels.
- Insulin resistance can lead to low progesterone levels. This can result in miscarriage.
- Drastic changes in body weight (losing weight fast) can lead to spotting between periods and delayed periods. Similarly, those who are on a new exercise regimen, or those who suddenly start exercising with high intensity may experience vaginal discharge due to sudden change in the physical activity.
- The intrauterine devices used for birth control, such as IUDs, patches, can cause spotting, although this is not common.
- Peri-menopause is a period just before a woman enters into menopause. On an average, it can last for four years. Along with other symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, difficulty in sleeping, urinary and genital changes, and vaginal dryness, perimenopausal women may experience spotting but no period. Spotting can be heavier when the woman enters peri-menopause. It becomes lighter and can reduce to a great extent in the later stages of peri-menopause.
Thus the cause of spotting, and delayed or no period may vary from woman to woman. A woman should consult her gynecologist if she notices spotting in between the periods or instead of periods.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by a health care professional.