Spotting between periods
What is spotting between periods?
A. Brown spotting between periods
B. Light spotting between periods
Is spotting between periods normal
What causes spotting between periods?
Light spotting between period--- Diagnosis
Light spotting between period--- Treatment
What is spotting between periods?
Spotting is the common term used for vaginal bleeding between periods. It is a common problem wherein in most cases, spotting before your period is no cause for concern. However, sometimes, it could signal a reproductive health problem or even a life-threatening disease. Sometimes it may be even due to cancer or pre-cancer. So any unusual bleeding should be evaluated promptly.
Brown spotting between period
Brown spotting is associated with old endometrial tissues. It may happen right after periods and is just "cleaning out" your vagina. This may occur when you are ovulating in the middle of menstrual cycle. Brown vaginal discharge can also be a symptom of a medical condition that is much more threatening than residual endometrial cells. These conditions may include Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), menopause, Sexually Transmitted Infections (Gonorrhea, Chlamydia or genital warts) and even cervical cancer. Sometimes brown discharge may appear when you’re using birth control pills because it is a side effect of pills.
Light spotting between periods
Light spotting is minimal vaginal bleeding which is more common. There are different colours of blood that is produced during spotting. Bright red indicates that it is new and fresh. While pink discharge indicates dilution. A very dark brown or blackish discharge during spotting in between periods signifies extremely old blood.
Is spotting between periods normal?
Intermittent spotting can be very normal in women of all ages since women respond differently to ovulation. Some women may feel a slight pain or cramp, some have spotting, some get headaches, gastric pain, or feel lethargic, and some women feel nothing at all. On the other hand, it is recommended that when a woman experiences spotting between cycles, that she consults a gynaecologist or nurse practitioner to make sure that her bleeding is normal and not a symptom of another serious problem.
What causes spotting between periods?
Spotting between periods may not cause as a major health risk if one of the causes of spotting is related to ovulation. Possible causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding may include:
- Uterine fibroids or cervical or uterine polyps
- Changes in hormone levels
- Inflammation or infection of the cervix (cervicitis)
- Injury or disease of the vaginal opening (caused by intercourse, infection, polyp, genital warts, ulcer, or varicose veins)
- IUD use (may cause occasional spotting)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Other pregnancy complications
- Vaginal dryness due to lack of estrogen after menopause
- Stress
- Stopping and starting birth control pills or estrogens
- Underactive thyroid (low thyroid function)
- Use of blood thinners (anticoagulants)
- Cancer or precancer of the cervix, uterus, or (very rarely) fallopian tube
- Cervical or endometrial biopsy or other procedures
- Gynaecological exam procedures, such as pap smears
- Tamoxifen side effect
- Von Willeband disease
When to see a doctor: Spotting that occurs regularly should be investigated. Women who experience spotting in addition to any of the above symptoms should consult a physician.
Light spotting between periods--- DIAGNOSIS
Most of the time, the colour of the discharge conveys the length of time the blood has passed through the cervix. The colour of the discharge may not necessarily indentify the exact cause of spotting. For an accurate diagnosis, additional assessment and diagnostic procedures should be done to identify the cause of spotting between periods. One factor to be included in the diagnosis is the extent and duration of the irregular blood flow. When the vaginal bleeding associated with spotting is minimal in volume, such as in droplets or small amounts, there is less cause of worry. In some situations where there is heavy bleeding between periods, such as when the sanitary pads get very soaked in a short period of time, it is recommended that the woman seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Diagnostic Tests Used
· Physical examination with a special emphasis on the thyroid, breast, and pelvic area.
· Pap smear : to rule out cervical cancer.
· Pregnancy test: a routine if the woman is premenopausal.
· Blood test: to evaluate for anemia and thyroid, liver or kidney function abnormalities.
· Family background, medical background or physical examination raises a doctor's doubt; tests to rule out certain blood clotting disorders may be done.
· Blood test for progesterone levels or Daily Body Temperature Charting: to verify that the woman ovulates.
· If the physician suspects that the ovaries are deteriorating, such as with menopause, blood levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may be done.
· Additional blood hormone tests are done if the doctor suspects polycystic ovary, or if excessive hair growth is present.
· Pelvic ultrasound
Light spotting between periods --- TREATMENT
Treatment of spotting varies and is modified to the individual case, the underlying cause, the severity of symptoms, and the presence of any complications.
· Taking birth control pills as prescribed. Skipping pills is a common cause of spotting. Stopping and restarting the pill may also cause bleeding between your menstrual periods. It is highly recommended that you take the pills at around the same time every day to lessen the chance of spotting.
· Limiting your intake of aspirin. Aspirin is an anticoagulant which means it can cause bleeding. You should avoid it is you have spotting problem.
· Getting regular pap smears. This screening for cervical cancer can detect the disease before having symptomatic bleeding. Cervical cancer is 100 percent curable if detected in its early stages. An annual pap smear can detect any abnormal cells in the cancer’s earliest stage.
· Maintaining a healthy weight. This will help reduce your risk of uterine cancer. Because uterine cancer is most common in post-menopausal women, consult your physician as soon as possible if you have experienced any spotting after menopause.
· Switching birth control methods. Spotting is common in women who use intrauterine devices (IUDs). Typically, the bleeding isn’t dangerous but switching to a different form of birth control can stop the inconvenience of spotting.
· Managing stress. Emotional stress can cause a woman’s menstrual cycle to get out of control, which can cause spotting. You should try to keep stress under control with relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and listening to music.
· Keeping a menstrual diary. Log the dates of your menstrual periods and any spotting before your period or during your cycle. This diary can help your doctor determine whether spotting is an alarm.
