Spotting before a menstrual period can confuse any woman, but particularly those with menstrual cycles that are typically precise and regular. Although most spotting is not cause for alarm, there are some situations where it may indicate a serious medical condition. All women experiencing unusual spotting or bleeding should contact a doctor for advice.
Hormonal Birth Control
Many hormonal birth control medications can cause spotting or "breakthrough bleeding" between periods. This is especially common within the first few months of taking the medication and usually resolves itself within four cycles, explains the parenting website DrSpock.com. However, other women may still experience breakthrough bleeding after months or years of birth control use. This is because the uterine lining can get thin after an extended time of taking the medication and may lack the necessary structure to stay in place.
Ovulation
Some women may experience light spotting during ovulation, the American Pregnancy Association states. Ovulation generally occurs about two weeks before a period, so if the spotting is experienced during this time frame and the woman is not on hormonal birth control medication, it may be a sign it is ovulation spotting. Other symptoms of ovulation may include a change in cervical fluid preceding the bleeding, the cervix becoming higher and softer, twinges of pain near an ovary, increased sex drive, increase in basal body temperature, a surge of luteinizing hormone that can be detected on an ovulation predictor kit, breast tenderness, bloating and heightened senses. If any of these symptoms are experienced with the spotting, it can be a good indicator the spotting may be due to ovulation.
Implantation
When a fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus, sometimes a small amount of blood is shed. This usually occurs around 11 to 12 days after conception, explains the parenting website BabyCenter.com, and is usually light and only lasts a day or two. The spotting can be red, pink or brown in color. If a woman has had unprotected sex around the time of ovulation and experiences this bleeding, it may be a sign she is pregnant.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can also cause spotting in between periods, explains the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Some of these medical conditions include an infection of the uterus or cervix, fibroids, problems with blood clotting or polyps. Certain types of cancers, including cancer of the uterus, cervix or vagina, also may cause bleeding. In addition, some chronic medical conditions like thyroid problems or diabetes can also be a culprit in abnormal vaginal bleeding.
