What can cause spotting after a period?

The colour may be brown when blood has taken longer to leave the uterus. Even light bleeding that is new, repeated or outside your expected period should be discussed with a clinician so the source can be identified.

Recent changes to hormonal contraception can alter the uterine lining and produce irregular spotting. Chlamydia and other infections can inflame the cervix, sometimes with discharge, pelvic discomfort, pain during sex or no additional symptoms. Polyps and fibroids can also present with bleeding between periods.

A pregnancy-related cause must be considered when pregnancy is possible. Cervical or womb cancer can present with unusual vaginal bleeding, but spotting has many possible explanations and does not identify its cause. Examination and targeted tests are more informative than colour or volume alone.

Record when bleeding begins relative to your period, whether it follows sex, its colour and amount, and any pain, discharge, odour, fever or urinary symptoms. Note contraception, missed pills, medicines and the date of your last period.

Take a pregnancy test if pregnancy is possible, but do not let a negative home result delay care for concerning symptoms. Assessment may include a pregnancy test, infection testing, an examination of the vagina and cervix, blood tests or imaging, chosen according to your history.

Book a clinician or sexual health appointment for bleeding between periods, especially when it repeats, begins after menopause, follows sex, or comes with unusual discharge or pelvic pain.

Seek urgent assessment if you have missed a period and develop bleeding with abdominal or pelvic pain, because an ectopic pregnancy is one possible cause. Emergency help is appropriate for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, marked dizziness, fever or feeling acutely unwell.

Ask whether you need pregnancy or infection testing, whether your cervix should be examined, and whether ultrasound or another investigation is appropriate. Also ask what bleeding pattern should trigger a faster reassessment while awaiting results.