What should you know about pink blood between periods?

The colour can look pale pink when only a small amount of blood is present. Timing matters: note whether it follows sex, occurs around an expected period, starts after a contraception change, or comes with pain, discharge, fever, or dizziness.

Light bleeding may happen when hormone levels shift, including after starting, stopping, missing, or changing hormonal contraception. Irritation of the cervix after sex can also cause a small amount of pink spotting.

Other possible explanations include an infection such as Chlamydia, cervical dysplasia, uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, or less commonly cervical or womb cancer. A symptom does not identify its cause by itself; an examination and appropriate tests may be needed.

Record the day, colour, amount, and whether the bleeding follows sex or a missed contraceptive dose. Also write down pelvic pain, unusual discharge, pain when urinating, or a chance of pregnancy.

Arrange a clinician visit if the spotting returns, continues, happens after sex, or is new for you. The clinician may ask about contraception and periods, offer pregnancy or infection testing, and decide whether a pelvic examination or cervical screening follow-up is appropriate.

Seek urgent medical help for heavy or rapidly increasing bleeding, severe or one-sided pelvic pain, fainting, marked dizziness, fever, or feeling acutely unwell. If pregnancy is possible, bleeding with pain or faintness needs prompt assessment because an ectopic pregnancy can be serious.

Do not wait for the colour to change before seeking help. Urgency depends on the amount of bleeding and accompanying symptoms, not on whether the blood is pink, red, or brown.

Ask: Could my contraception, an infection, or irritation explain this? Do I need a pregnancy test, infection test, pelvic examination, or cervical screening follow-up? Which changes should prompt urgent care?