Spotting while not on your period

Spotting is light bleeding outside your expected menstrual flow. It can occur around ovulation, after starting or missing hormonal contraception, or when vaginal or cervical tissue is irritated. An infection such as Chlamydia may cause bleeding, discharge, pelvic discomfort, or pain during sex. Cervical Dysplasia, cervical polyps, Uterine Fibroids, or Endometrial Polyps can also contribute. Less commonly, abnormal bleeding is a presentation of Cervical Cancer or Womb Cancer; this does not mean that spotting itself identifies a cancer.

Note the colour, amount, timing, relation to sex or contraception, and whether pain, fever, unusual discharge, dizziness, or pregnancy is possible. Those details help a clinician choose an examination, pregnancy test, infection testing, or imaging.

Record when the spotting began and whether it is changing. Use a pad or liner if needed so you can observe the amount, and avoid vaginal products that make the bleeding harder to judge. Arrange a medical appointment if it is unexplained, returns, follows sex, or occurs after menopause. Do not stop prescribed contraception or other medicines without advice. If pregnancy is possible, take a pregnancy test and tell the clinician.

Seek urgent care for heavy or rapidly increasing bleeding, faintness, severe or one-sided pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, fever, or feeling very unwell. Get prompt assessment for bleeding during pregnancy, after menopause, or with pelvic pain or unusual discharge. A clinician may need to rule out pregnancy-related problems, infection, or a cervical or womb condition.

Ask what may explain the timing, whether you need a pregnancy or infection test, and whether your cervical screening is up to date. You can also ask which changes should prompt urgent review and when to return if the spotting continues.