Little spotting after your period

Brown or pink spotting may be older blood leaving the uterus at the end of a period. Hormonal contraception, missed doses, ovulation timing, or irritation after sex can also alter bleeding. Infection, including chlamydia, may cause discharge, pelvic pain, or pain during sex.

Polyps and fibroids can cause bleeding outside the expected period. Cervical dysplasia or cancer of the cervix or womb are less common possibilities, particularly when bleeding is persistent, recurrent, or occurs after sex. Spotting alone cannot tell you which explanation applies.

Write down when the spotting starts and stops, its colour and amount, cycle timing, contraception, sexual triggers, and other symptoms. Take a pregnancy test if pregnancy is possible. Arrange an appointment for repeated, new, or unexplained spotting; testing may include an examination or infection testing.

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe pelvic pain, faintness, fever, or feeling weak or unwell. If pregnancy is possible, bleeding with significant or one-sided pain needs prompt assessment.

Ask whether the timing fits your cycle or contraception, whether you need a pregnancy or infection test, and whether the cervix or womb should be examined. Ask which changes should prompt earlier review.