Spotting is a term used to describe a light bleed that may occur before or after the menstrual cycle. Spotting can be a normal part of the menstrual cycle if experienced just before a bleed, or part of the ovulation process. However, there are many reasons why a woman experiences spotting 10 days before her cycle begins and it must be investigated. Any bleeding experienced outside of the menstrual cycle is considered abnormal.
Ovulation
Spotting due to ovulation can occur during or after ovulation began. Ovulation occurs when the hormones estrogen and progesterone surge, causing a follicle within the ovary to burst, releasing the egg within. During this process, researchers believe that bleeding may occur due to the egg rupturing through the follicle, or spotting may occur as breakthrough bleeding due to the sharp increase of the hormone estrogen. Women may also experience abdominal pain during this time called "mittelschmerz," or middle pain. This pain may be due to the ovary stretching during ovulation, or from the fluid released with the egg, irritating the abdominal lining.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome--PCOS--is a condition that causes a woman to have multiple cysts in her ovaries. The condition's cause is unknown, however many of the symptoms of PCOS can be explained by the unusually high level of luteinizing hormone secreted from the pituitary gland. This hormone along with follicle-stimulating hormone is responsible for the menstruation and ovulation processes. The release of the luteinizing hormone triggers the ovaries to produce estrogen. Since the level of luteinizing hormone is too high, the level of estrogen will be also, which causes disruptions in the menstruation and ovulation processes. For this reason, many women with PCOS do not ovulate and have irregular menstrual cycles. Symptoms of PCOS are irregular menstrual cycles, spotting, lack of ovulation, facial hair, hair thinning, weight gain and diabetes.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign uterine growths that form within the uterine cavity, in the uterine muscle or on the uterine lining. These growths are found mainly in African-American women and women over the age of 30. MedlinePlus estimates that 1 out of every 5 women will have fibroids at some point before menopause. Fibroids can be so small that they're undetectable without a microscope or so large that they can fill up the entire uterine cavity. Symptoms of uterine fibroids are abdominal fullness, bleeding between periods, frequent urination, heavy menstrual cycles, pelvic cramping, pain during intercourse, prolonged menstrual cycle and spotting or bleeding between cycles.
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