Spotting outside your period: what to know

Light bleeding between periods can occur when hormone levels shift, when contraception is started or changed, or when ovulation affects the uterine lining. Cervical irritation after sex and infections such as Chlamydia may also cause it. Cervical Dysplasia and Cervical Cancer can present with bleeding between periods, while Endometrial Polyps and Uterine Fibroids can affect bleeding from inside the uterus. These conditions cannot be diagnosed from spotting alone.

Pregnancy is another possibility when it fits your circumstances. The pattern matters: note whether the bleeding is new, repeated, linked to sex, accompanied by pain, or followed by a missed period.

Keep a simple record of bleeding days, flow, cycle timing, medicines, contraception, sexual activity, and associated symptoms. Take a pregnancy test if pregnancy is possible and follow the test instructions. Book a routine appointment if spotting persists, returns across cycles, happens after sex, or occurs with discharge, pelvic pain, or urinary discomfort. A clinician may examine the cervix, check for infection, review contraception, and decide whether further testing is appropriate.

Seek urgent care if bleeding is heavy, you feel faint or unusually weak, or you have severe pelvic pain, fever, or worsening illness. Possible pregnancy plus one-sided pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, or fainting requires prompt assessment. Arrange timely medical review for bleeding after menopause or a pattern that keeps returning, even when each episode is light.

Could my contraception or an infection be contributing? Do I need a cervical examination, pregnancy test, or Chlamydia test? What pattern should I record, and when should I return if it continues?