Bleeding between periods

The bleeding may be light spotting or more like a period, and it can happen after sex or at another point in the cycle. Hormonal contraception, missed doses, ovulation, pregnancy, or irritation of the cervix can contribute. Infection such as chlamydia may cause bleeding with discharge or pelvic discomfort. Polyps and uterine fibroids can also affect bleeding. Less commonly, cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, or womb cancer can present with bleeding between periods; the symptom alone cannot identify its cause.

Record when the bleeding began, how long it lasted, how heavy it was, and whether it followed sex or a missed contraceptive dose. Arrange a clinical review if it recurs, continues, happens after menopause, or is associated with pain, discharge, or pregnancy possibility. Assessment may include a pregnancy test, examination, infection testing, or imaging depending on your history.

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding with dizziness, faintness, severe pelvic pain, shoulder pain, fever, or weakness. If pregnancy is possible and bleeding occurs with one-sided pain or feeling faint, seek immediate assessment. These symptoms need prompt evaluation rather than waiting for the next cycle.

Ask whether your medicines or contraception could explain the pattern, whether you need infection or cervical testing, and which changes should trigger urgent care. Bring a record of cycle dates, bleeding episodes, pain, discharge, and pregnancy tests.