Spotting before and after a period

Light brown or pink discharge can be older blood leaving the vagina, while fresh red spotting is newer bleeding. The timing alone cannot identify a cause. Changes in contraception, missed doses, ovulation, stress, or vaginal and cervical irritation may alter the usual pattern.

Repeated bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, pelvic pain, unusual discharge, or pain with sex should be assessed. Chlamydia may affect the cervix, while cervical dysplasia, polyps, fibroids, and womb conditions are other possibilities. The related bleeding-between-periods guide covers the symptom more broadly.

Keep a cycle diary for several weeks: record the first and last day of normal flow, each spotting episode, colour, amount, pain, sex, contraception, and medicines. Use a liner if useful. Avoid douching and note whether a pregnancy could be possible.

Make a routine appointment if the pattern is new, repeats, follows sex, or continues beyond the expected end of your period. A clinician can decide whether you need an examination, pregnancy testing, infection testing, or another evaluation.

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided pain, fainting, fever, or significant dizziness. If pregnancy is possible, bleeding with pain or light-headedness should be assessed promptly.

Ask: Does this timing suggest a cycle or medication change? Could infection, a cervical issue, or a womb condition be involved? What examination or tests fit my symptoms?