How to stop spotting after your period

Light bleeding after menstruation can relate to hormonal changes, contraception, irritation after sex, infection, or changes in the cervix or womb. Cervical dysplasia, chlamydia, endometrial polyps, uterine fibroids, cervical cancer, and womb cancer can present with bleeding between periods; spotting does not show which cause is responsible.

Note the colour, amount, timing, relation to sex or contraception, pelvic pain, discharge, and whether your periods have changed. Pregnancy-related bleeding also needs a different assessment, so include pregnancy possibility when speaking with a clinician.

Use a pad or liner so you can observe the amount, and keep a simple bleeding diary with dates and associated symptoms. Avoid vaginal douching and do not insert products or take leftover medicines to force the bleeding to stop.

Arrange a primary-care or sexual-health review if spotting returns, follows sex, lasts beyond your expected period, or is accompanied by pain, discharge, or urinary symptoms. A clinician may discuss pregnancy testing, infection testing, cervical screening history, examination, or imaging based on your situation.

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding with dizziness, fainting, severe pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, fever, or marked weakness. If you could be pregnant, bleeding with one-sided pain or feeling faint should be assessed urgently. After menopause, any vaginal bleeding needs prompt medical review, even when it is light.

Ask what causes fit your timing and symptoms, whether you need pregnancy or infection testing, when cervical screening is due, and whether an examination or ultrasound is appropriate. Bring your bleeding diary and a list of medicines, contraception, and recent changes.