What’s The Difference Between Periods And Spotting?
You head to the bathroom to pee and you see it...a red or brown spot right on your favorite underwear. You wonder to yourself…. Isn’t my period not due for another 2 weeks?
This scenario happens to many menstruating humans, leaving them feeling utterly confused. What’s happening? Well, you’re spotting! While you might want to book the soonest appointment with your gynecologist and demand to know exactly what is happening, most of the time, it’s really no reason for concern.
Spotting is normal and is often not something to be too concerned about. But if you still want peace of mind, knowing the difference between your period vs spotting will be useful.
PERIOD VS. SPOTTING – THE DIFFERENCE
While a period is the start of your menstrual cycle each month and releases about 2 tablespoons of blood (if you don’t have menorrhagia), it will last longer than spotting. Spotting can happen at any time during your menstrual cycle. Another way to tell the difference is by the color of the blood. While your period blood can range in colors, spotting usually releases light brown blood.
While this may cause alarm bells to go off in your head, spotting is actually fairly common. It can occur between periods, during pregnancy, after sex, or after a gynecological exam.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS YOU MAY BE SPOTTING:
– Menstruation - Ok, we said that spotting is different from your period, and it is, but at the start of your menses, you may find that you have some spotting. This is totally normal. We promise!
– Ovulation - A likely culprit of spotting, ovulation occurs when an egg is released from the ovaries to await fertilization. This process can cause spotting. Alternatively, spotting can happen due to an increase in estrogen that happens when the egg does not become fertilized.
– Implantation - Implantation bleeding is spotting that happens when the embryo implants into the uterus, and it can be hard to distinguish - is it your period coming or are you pregnant? Well, it could be either. A good way to tell is to check for other signs of pregnancy, like nausea, fatigue, or sore breasts.
– Abnormal pregnancy - Miscarriages, premature labor, and ectopic pregnancies are all cause for concern. Spotting can be present with all of them so if you are concerned about it, check with your doctor right away.
– Labor - Another pregnancy-related cause of spotting is going into labor. This usually occurs around 37 weeks when your body passes the mucus plug.
– Infections or disease - STI’s, reproductive issues, and other infections like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) could all be causes of spotting. If the above causes don’t seem to be the issue, check with your doctor. Most infections are treatable but can become even more serious if ignored.
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
While you should feel free to call your doctor anytime you have a health-related question or concern, it’s helpful to know when spotting is a cause for real concern. Here are some circumstances when it’d be smart to call your doctor:
– If you are pregnant or think you may be
– If you have consistent spotting
– If you have had unprotected sex and start spotting
– If you have any pain or cramping around the time of spotting
– If you are on any kind of medication that you think could be causing spotting
CAN YOU USE A MENSTRUAL CUP IF YOU’RE SPOTTING?
If you feel like you’re spotting more than usual, then it’s completely safe to put in your menstrual cup! Check out our menstrual cups and period products at Lunette.
63 comments
Chelcie!
Because everybody and every BODY is different, if you’re concerned about these changes to your cycle and flow we recommend contacting a doctor.
Best,
Team Lunette
Hi not sure if it’s a problem or not but here goes well I was supposed to start my period on the 9th and I ended up being late 2-3 days but When I did have something it was very light pinkish orange but with a lil. Brown so idk bout that and that lasted 2 days then it came on heavy for 2 days then spotted light pink then stopped and I had sex recently and before I started experiencing everything so not sure what to think I have cramps and my boobs are a lil sensitive
I have been trying to get pregnant since three months and consulted a gynecologist too, she prescribed some medicines to me which I have been taking regularly but today is my period date and I found some spotting which I never did before. Can I be pregnant or is it just my normal menstrual cycle?
Hi rush!
If you are concerned about pregnancy, or experiencing anything of concern, we recommend contacting a doctor.
Wishing you all the best!
Team Lunette
Hi Janay!
Spotting is generally brown or pink in color, and can happen for any of the reasons listed in this post. Because everybody, and every BODY, is different we recommend contacting a doctor if you are experiencing something of concern.
Best,
Team Lunette
Hi, I took an I-pill just after i had my periods in october ie 25th october and i didnt get my periods in november .I took home pregnancy test on 16th and 27th october but it came negative .Then after that I lightly bleeded with red tissues (that we normally get during periods) unevenly for 2 days(30th and 1st december) ,then again brown bleeding on 4th december. Can I be pregnant?
Hi, so I’ve gotten my iud taken out about 4 months ago. My period has come the 16th of every month since except last month it came on the 9th and this month I believe it has come today the 3rd of December. But it is very dark brown. Not heavy. And I am cramping not much but I am. Is it my period? Me and my partner have had unprotected sex about two weeks ago. I’ve never experienced dark brown blood like this so just a little concerned what could it be??
Hi adrianna,
Spotting is very light bleeding that is pinkish or brownish in color. Your period is heavier bleeding and redder blood. If you are concerned you might be pregnant we recommend taking an at home pregnancy test which can be purchased at most drugstores and supermarkets. If you are experiencing anything of concern we recommend consulting a doctor.
Wishing you all the best! :)
Team Lunette
hi okay so i’m wondering if i’m pregnant or not because i had sex recently on November 19th and then on November 21st and on November 29th and so now all of a sudden i have my period my period is 5 days early but i don’t know if its just spotting so i don’t know if i’m pregnant or not please let me know what it can be
Hi Alice,
If you think you might be pregnant we recommend taking an at home pregnancy test. If you’re experiencing anything of concern we recommend consulting a doctor.
Best,
Team Lunette
Hi Nero!
If you’re experiencing anything of concern we recommend consulting a doctor.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@lunette.com if there’s anything we can assist with. :)
Best,
Team Lunette
My partner and i had sex 3
days before my period. Blood came
out after intercourse. i was expecting to have my period that night or the next day. But surprisingly no period until today. today is my 35th day of my cycle.
I had sex with my boyfriend since late last month (Around 20th). My period has started yesterday. It is exactly on the predicted day on my tracker. But i see that it’s not as heavy as before. Only the first day of my period is dark/bright red. And today it’s bright red and a bit pink. Am i pregnant? Is that implantation bleeding?
Hi Michelle!
It’s very normal for your cycle to go through changes throughout your life. Even if you’ve never had spotting before it doesn’t necessarily mean there is any problem if you start having spotting. However, if any of the circumstances from the “When To Call A Doctor” section of this blog post apply to you we recommend calling your doctor.
Best,
Team Lunette
I always have my normal periods,but yesterday,I started seeing spot like blood on my pants,and I don’t know what could be the problem,
Hi Reed,
Sorry to hear you’re experiencing this! Because everybody, and every BODY, is different we recommend visiting your doctor to talk about your concerns.
All the best <3
-Team Lunette
My period is irregular and this time it’s almost going 4months late. Then recently I had a spotting or period blood for 4 days. And I would only use a panty liner a day and the blood isn’t much to cover up the panty liner. It was like a bottle cap of blood for 4 days. So I’m not sure if I should be concern if it’s an infection or am I pregnant. I’m concern cause I only feel cramps on my breast, my pelvic doesn’t feel any pain and I’m always feeling headache everyday only at night time, I cant sleep after 3am and constantly waking up at 1030am.. Please help me or advise me what to do.. I’m just lost, if its something I should worry about..
Hi Kellie!
Spotting during ovulation- the middle of your cycle- is normal. However, since you are have been taking birth control for quite some time, and this sounds like a new development, it may be best to discuss it with your doctor.
Wishing you all the best <3
-Team Lunette
Hi Thembeka!
Because everybody, and every BODY is different we recommend visiting your doctor if you’re experiencing something of concern.
Wishing you all the best!
-Team Lunette
Hi Sam!
Your period may have been delayed for a number of reasons such as stress, illness, infection, hormonal imbalance, or lifestyle changes. The dark drops you’re experiencing may have been spotting, giving you a “heads up” that the period if about to start. If you’re experiencing something of concern we recommend you visit your doctor.
Wishing you all the best!
-Team Lunette
Hi Julie!
Because everybody, and every BODY, is different we recommend visiting your doctor if you’re experiencing something of concern.
Wishing you all the best!
-Team Lunette
I have not normal periods but it bleed two weeks one month then it stopped for a week then a lil blood on pad then goes away then it stops for a day then next day comes back but know when I per is normal but when I wipe get blood I just need to know what this is
My periods get missed after 3 days of missing periods I got dark colur 3-4 drops of blood…… Wht does it mean
Am I pregnent Or something else
hi, about a week ago, me and my partner has sex and now i’ve been experiencing brown discharge and it’s happened for about 4 days. i’m not due for my period for another week though. i’m on the pill and used a condom also, what can explain my brown discharge, and cramping a week before my period is even due??
Can you have implantation bleeding three day after intercourse….. And what does it mean when i spot abit of blood with a little bit of clots and in the mean time my period has been late for 24 days
