Bleeding anytime outside of a normal period can invoke panic in any woman. However, most cases of spotting are benign and usually clear up on their own, while others may require medical treatment or medication. Whichever the case may be, it is always a good thing to monitor the situation and contact a physician if it carries on longer than a few days.
Pregnancy
In the early weeks of pregnancy, most women don't even realize they are pregnant. Around the time the normal menstrual cycle is due to begin, some women experience implantation bleeding also known as "spotting." This form of bleeding is usually very light and it's normally pink, red or brown in color. Implantation bleeding occurs when a fertilized egg burrows into the uterine wall. Women can also experience spotting in pregnancy, after sex or when they are nearing labor. However, it is not normal to experience extreme pain or heavy bleeding at any point during pregnancy.
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are used to correct hormonal imbalances in women with medical conditions and to prevent pregnancy. Most birth control pills contain a combination of the female hormones progesterone and estrogen. These hormones are released in a normal menstrual cycle to control the menstrual cycle and ovulation. It is not uncommon for women to experience spotting or " breakthrough bleeding" while taking birth control pills, skipping a pill or discontinuing its usage.
Ovulation
Spotting during ovulation typically takes place around midway through menstrual cycle. Ovulation spotting may also be accompanied by light abdominal cramping called "mittleshmerz" or middle pain. According to Dr. Mazumdar from Gynae Online, ovulation bleeding typically lasts two to three hours although it can go on for one to two days. During this time, women may see pink or brown light bleeding. This bleeding is thought to come from the ovary when it opens to release the egg.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that causes a woman to have irregular menstrual bleeding, spotting, male pattern hair growth and problems conceiving. During a normal menstrual cycle the pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), which sends a signal to the ovary to produce hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones work to control menstrual bleeding and ovulation. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, too much LH is released, which causes the ovary to secrete too much estrogen. This causes abnormal menstrual bleeding. This bleeding can occur during a normal menstrual cycle or between periods.
