What should you know about red blood spotting after period?

A small amount of red blood after menstrual flow can occur when the lining finishes shedding or when hormone levels shift around the cycle. Irritation after sex, a change in contraception, or an infection such as [Chlamydia](/conditions/chlamydia/) can also cause spotting. Note whether it appears once or follows a repeated pattern.

Growths such as [Endometrial Polyps](/conditions/endometrial-polyps/) and [Uterine Fibroids](/conditions/uterine-fibroids/) can cause irregular bleeding. Changes in the cervix, including [Cervical Dysplasia](/conditions/cervical-dysplasia/), may present with spotting; [Cervical Cancer](/conditions/cervical-cancer/) and [Womb Cancer](/conditions/endometrial-cancer/) are less common possibilities. Spotting does not by itself show which condition is present, so the pattern and examination matter.

Write down when your period ended, when spotting began, its colour and amount, and whether pain, discharge, sex, or a new medicine occurred around the same time. Book an appointment if spotting repeats, becomes heavier, follows sex, occurs after menopause, or worries you. A clinician may offer pregnancy and infection testing, examine the cervix, review screening, or arrange imaging based on your history.

Use a pad if you need to monitor the amount. Avoid douching and do not self-treat with antibiotics. If pregnancy is possible, mention it when arranging care because it changes the assessment.

Seek urgent care if spotting becomes heavy or is accompanied by severe pelvic pain, faintness, dizziness, fever, or unusual weakness. Contact a clinician promptly for bleeding during pregnancy or any bleeding after menopause. Repeated spotting deserves review even when each episode is small.

Ask whether the timing fits the end of your period or suggests another source, whether infection or pregnancy testing is needed, and whether your cervical screening is current. Ask how you will receive results and which changes should lead you back sooner.