Spotting for five days between periods

Bleeding between periods can follow hormonal changes, starting or changing contraception, missed doses, ovulation, cervical irritation, or infection. Chlamydia and other pelvic infections may cause bleeding after sex, discharge, burning when urinating, or pelvic pain, although symptoms can be subtle.

Growths such as endometrial polyps or uterine fibroids can also contribute to irregular bleeding. Cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer are among the conditions a clinician may consider when bleeding is unexplained or repeatedly occurs after sex. A symptom does not identify its cause on its own.

Write down when the spotting began, its colour and amount, whether it follows sex, and whether cramps or discharge are present. Check for a missed period and consider pregnancy testing if pregnancy is possible. Arrange a routine appointment if the spotting lasts five days, repeats, or differs from your usual pattern.

A clinician may ask about contraception, medicines, pregnancy possibility, sexual health, and screening history. Depending on your answers, they may offer an examination, infection testing, pregnancy testing, or further assessment. Read more about [Bleeding Between Periods](/symptoms/bleeding-between-periods/).

Get urgent help if bleeding becomes heavy, you feel faint or unusually weak, or you develop severe abdominal or pelvic pain. Seek prompt advice for bleeding with fever, offensive discharge, or a positive pregnancy test, particularly if pain is one-sided. These features need assessment for causes that cannot be sorted out safely from the bleeding pattern alone.

Ask what might explain the timing, whether you need pregnancy or infection testing, and whether your contraception or medicines could contribute. Ask when to return if spotting recurs and whether you are due cervical screening. Bring a record of dates, flow, pain, discharge, and any relevant test results.