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
Hi Jennifer,
Please keep in mind and please understand that we are not medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations and tell you why your period was shorter and/or if you are pregnant. Taking a pregnancy test may also be useful when you are worried about pregnancy. Thank you for your understanding!
Best regards,
Team Lunette
Hey
On September 24th I had unprotected sex, I really don’t pay attention on how many days goes between my periods but I do use the period apps to know when my period it’s coming I was supposed to get my period oct 5th but I ended up getting for November 19th, I use a period cup, but this time I decided to use the pad first which got a lot of blood, later at night I used my period cup and the next day when I removed it it’s was full, next day after I removed it again it was only full and on the third day I was spottting some light pink on the 4th day it was gone I’ve never had period this short so I was wondering if you think I might be pregnant? a couple of weeks prior to getting my period I took at home pregnancy test and it came back negative, I’m still feeling nauseous after what I this it was my period
Thank you.
Looking into whether very light, pink discharge counts as a period. I am 53 years old, haven’t had a period for about 4 months, then this past week had about 3 days of very light spotting. Certain this is related to perimenopause, but wondering if I start the count of days over again.
Hey, I have had some blood in my underwear twice in these past 5 months but have never gotten my period before! What does that mean?
My last period started March 13 lasted for about a week normal flow had protected (condom sex) on March 23rd during sex he didn’t cum in the condom he didn’t even cum at all and during Roleplay there was no pre cum in sight my period usually starts around the 13th I started spotting on the April 10th which was brown April 11-13 (13th being today) I see small blood in my pad but see more when I wipe or just got done wiping. I definitely do not think I am pregnant bc there was no cum in me or even in sight. What could be going on? I’m 21 yrs old.
Hi Janette! Unfortunately we are not able to assist with this concern as we are not medical professionals and therefore cannot offer diagnosis. We recommend consulting your doctor for this issue. Wishing you all the best!
-Team Lunette
Hi I had my period 2 weeks ago well I started spotting like I was getting ready to start all over again..its light color but on my tampon it’s brown…I am over fifty years old I’ve had my tubes tied cut and burned lol..I’ve never had this happen to me before lil concerned help.
Nice Information , this is very informative blog . have learn a lot about Materinity Pads from your blog and from Profiklen.
Hi Steel! As we are not medical professionals we unfortunately cannot provide diagnosis. We recommend contacting a doctor for this concern.
-Team Lunette
My period was nearly 2 weeks late when usually consistent. It lasted a day and then nothing. Today after orgasm, I spotted dark brown.
I am 37 with children (with a tubal) and have had sex once in the last 2 months. I’ve been feeling unusually fatigued and have a loss of appetite. I tested negative for pregnancy.
What’s going on?
Hi Mechelle! If you are concerned about pregnancy we recommend taking an at home pregnancy test. As we are not medical professionals we cannot offer diagnosis for pregnancy. Wishing you all the best!
-Team Lunette
Last August 26 my partner and I had unprotected sex during that day I have been delayed my period but on first week of September I have been experiencing spotting brown and pink. Blood for 3day but until now no period I am now worried am I pregnant or not please help me :(
Hi, Ruth! Thank you for your comment! Unfortunately we are not able to assist with diagnosis these changes in your cycle as we are not healthcare professionals. If your current GP is not able to offer guidance we recommend seeking a second opinion from a different doctor. <3
-Team Lunette
Hi LEE! It’s normal to have spotting after your period because your vagina is cleaning itself out and some of the blood and tissue takes a bit longer to come out. If you’re concerned about the spotting you’re experience it is best to contact a doctor. :)
-Team Lunette
what causes spotting after periods.is it normal to spot for 7 days
When I got my first period at 12 years old, my period was on every 28days, not heavy. In my 25s my period was every 23 days still normal, then I had my 1st baby at 38, then after that my period is every 14 or 17 days very lights but now I’m nearly 45 my period got strange, few months ago my period was brown, sometimes pink or waters, now my period just started again after 8 days too early. I don’t get bad back or headache or anything. But after my 1st baby 5 years ago my hair is falling out easy and a lots and getting so thin, GP rule has out Thyroid. I Can’t have menopause as I don get any symptoms?
Hi Jaeden! Spotting during ovulation, which typically happens in the middle of your cycle, is normal and common. If the spotting is causing you concern it is best to contact a doctor. :)
-Team Lunette
I’m having some spotting that looks like my period but its day 17 of my cycle. WTH is going on??
Hi Ancy! If you’re concerned about the spotting we recommend contacting a doctor. As we are not medical professionals we cannot offer diagnosis.
-Team Lunette
Hi,
I got my periods on 2nd April got over by 6th April. I got physical with my fiancé a couple of times after my periods for 3 days without any protection. I was suppose to get my periods end of the month or May 1st. But on 23rd April I started bleeding in a very small quantity. It’s not red like my normal periods no mucus but an order colour brownish or reddish. Almost 8 days early I found my self bleeding or maybe spotting it’s too less in quantity as compared to my normal periods. I did a pregnancy test while bleeding/spotting showed negative. What do you think I should do ? A test again after spotting/bleeding ?
Hey Michelle! If you’re concerned about pregnancy we recommend taking an at-home pregnancy test. There is also a link to more information on implantation bleeding and early signs of pregnancy within this post. :)
-Team Lunette
So i’m on birth control and i had sex three weeks ago (around day 3 of my cycle), i got my period three days ago and the first day it was fine, the blood was dark red but now it’s brown and i’m getting getting worried, is this implantation bleeding?
thanks!
Hi Mahryah! It sounds like your having some pre periods spotting :) If you’re feeling concerned it is best to reach out to a doctor.
-Team Lunette
My period was 4 days late and now I’m bleeding light pink.
Hi Jasmin!
We recommend consulting your doctor. As we are not medical professionals we cannot offer medical diagnosis. Your doctor who prescribed the medication will be able to assist you with any possible side effects of the medication, as well as with diagnosing pregnancy. :)
Best,
Team Lunette
