Very light bleeding between periods: what to know

Spotting can occur around ovulation, after a change in hormonal contraception, or when the cervix is irritated. Chlamydia can inflame the cervix and cause bleeding with discharge, pelvic pain, or pain during sex. Polyps and fibroids can also bleed between periods.

Bleeding between periods is a presentation of cervical dysplasia and can occur with womb cancer, although these are not the usual explanation for an individual episode. Bleeding after menopause, bleeding in pregnancy, or a pattern that keeps returning should be assessed rather than attributed to hormones without a review.

Make a routine appointment for new or recurring spotting, especially if you have pain, unusual discharge, bleeding after sex, or a missed period. Record cycle dates, colour, amount, possible triggers, contraception, medicines, and pregnancy possibility. A clinician may offer a pregnancy test, infection testing, an examination, blood tests, or an ultrasound depending on your history.

Continue prescribed contraception unless a clinician advises otherwise, and do not use leftover antibiotics. If pregnancy is possible, take an appropriate test and mention the result when seeking advice.

Seek urgent care for bleeding with severe pelvic pain, faintness, shoulder-tip pain, fever, or a positive pregnancy test. Prompt assessment is also needed if bleeding becomes heavy, you feel weak or breathless, or you have severe pain on one side of the lower abdomen.

Could my contraception, ovulation, an infection, or a womb condition explain this? Do I need pregnancy or infection testing? Is an examination or ultrasound appropriate? Which symptoms should make me seek urgent help?