I Am Spotting — Could I Be Pregnant?

A home pregnancy test is the practical next step if your period is due or late. If the result is negative but your period still does not arrive, repeat the test after a few days or arrange a clinical test.

Spotting means a small amount of pink, red, or brown vaginal blood that may appear on underwear or toilet tissue. Early pregnancy can present with light spotting, including around the time a period was expected. Pregnancy-related cervical changes may also make bleeding more likely after sex or an examination.

Other explanations include the beginning or end of a period, hormonal contraception, infection, irritation of the cervix, endometrial polyps, or uterine fibroids. The colour or timing of blood cannot confirm the cause on its own.

Take a home pregnancy test from the first day your period is missed, following the package instructions. If you do not know when your period is due, a pharmacist or clinician can help you choose suitable testing timing based on when pregnancy could have occurred.

Use a pad or liner so you can note the amount and colour of bleeding; avoid relying on appearance to diagnose the cause. Record your last period, contraception, recent sex, pain, discharge, fever, dizziness, and test results. Contact a clinician if spotting continues, returns, happens after sex, or accompanies unusual discharge or pelvic discomfort.

Seek urgent medical assessment if you may be pregnant and have spotting with one-sided or severe abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, marked dizziness, weakness, fever, or bleeding that becomes heavy. These features can occur with conditions needing prompt treatment, including ectopic pregnancy or significant blood loss.

If you already have a positive pregnancy test, contact your maternity team or healthcare provider about any bleeding, even when it is light. Call emergency services if you collapse, feel close to fainting, or have severe pain or heavy bleeding.

Ask whether you need a urine or blood pregnancy test, whether the timing makes the result dependable, and whether an examination, infection test, or ultrasound is appropriate. Also ask what change in bleeding or pain should prompt urgent reassessment.