Spotting how does it look like

Spotting is light bleeding that can occur between periods. Many factors may cause spotting, but it is usually not a cause for concern. When people experience vaginal bleeding at times other than during normal menstruation, doctors refer to this as intermenstrual bleeding.

Spotting tends to occur between periods and can happen at any age after puberty. Spotting is a very light bleed from the vagina. It differs from the light bleeding at the start and end of a period. Several conditions, infections, and medications can trigger spotting. Although most reasons for spotting are mild, some can be severe. This article explores the potential causes of spotting, and looks at when a person should see a doctor.

People usually notice they are spotting if they see a small amount of blood on toilet paper after wiping. They may also observe a few drops of blood on their underwear. Some forms of birth control list spotting as a side effect, including. Spotting is most common in the first few months of using a new method of hormonal contraception. The bleeding will usually go away without intervention. Spotting sometimes occurs during pregnancy. Heavy spotting during pregnancy may indicate pregnancy loss.

Other symptoms of pregnancy loss may include:. Heavy spotting can also be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Doctors call a pregnancy ectopic when the fetus grows outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. A person with this condition needs immediate medical attention. Spotting or bleeding later in pregnancy can be a sign of going into labor or a complication, and a person should seek medical advice.

If the bleeding is heavy, they should go to the delivery hospital immediately. When people stop having periods, doctors refer to this as menopause. This tends to develop at 45—55 years of age. So — is your bleeding pregnancy-related? Here are some additional identifiers, other early pregnancy symptoms to watch for, and notes on when to see a doctor. Implantation bleeding may appear as light spotting — blood that appears when you wipe — or a light, consistent flow that requires a liner or light pad.

The blood may or may not be mixed with cervical mucus. You may see a range of colors depending on how long the blood has taken to exit the body:. Be sure to take note of the color and consistency — as well as the frequency — of your bleeding.

Implantation bleeding is diagnosed through a process of elimination. This means that your doctor will rule out other possible causes of bleeding, such as polyps , first.

If you experience heavy bleeding or clotting, see your doctor right away. This may be a sign of an early miscarriage.

The color and consistency of implantation bleeding may vary from person to person and pregnancy to pregnancy. But if you think you might be pregnant, there are other symptoms that you can watch for. Frequent urination, fatigue, and nausea are some of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. Your breasts may also become tender or swollen due to the hormonal changes that occur shortly after conception.

One of the most reliable symptoms is a missed menstrual period. Pregnancy test makers claim home pregnancy tests are up to 99 percent accurate. Tests may pick up the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin hCG as soon as the first day of your missed period, sometimes earlier.

This hormone doubles in concentration every two or three days in early pregnancy. You may consider testing if your period is late or you have many early pregnancy signs.

For the most reliable reading, consider waiting a week past when your period should have started. Concentrations of hCG reach the blood before the urine, so a blood test may give a positive result sooner than a urine test. If you do get a positive home pregnancy test, make an appointment with your doctor. Implantation bleeding should last only between a couple of hours to three full days.

Women who are going through their first pregnancy will likely spot or bleed a little bit more than women who are used to the egg attachment. It is similar to dental flossing of the gums as the first time the gum line is aggravated, it will bleed more, while subsequent times bleeding is lessened. About days after conception when the sperm joins with the egg , the embryo will implant itself into the wall of the uterus.

This movement may break down some blood vessels within the uterus wall and cause some bleeding. Some women may simply believe their period is a few days early.

Implantation bleeding typically happens within the week before the expected period. For example, if you are sexually active and expect your period on January 25th, then you might question any spotting you have between Jan.

It is not common that implantation bleeding would occur before this time or after a period is expected or missed. However, if one experiences ovulation early in the fertility window and the implantation process is quick, or one experiences ovulation late in the fertility window and the implantation process is slow, it is possible.

Women know what their normal menstrual flow looks like, and as long as they are not on any kind of new medication including birth control and emergency contraceptives or have a change in stress level, then their menstrual blood flow, color, and consistency are usually the same. So, when this lighter, pink spotting occurs, it will appear a bit out of place. Implantation bleeding should not be a cause for concern and should pose no real risk to the developing baby. If you experience bleeding or spotting more than a few days after your missed period, it is not likely to be implantation bleeding.

True pregnancy concerns rarely come from implantation and usually occur after the missed period. Though this post-implantation light bleeding during pregnancy is not considered normal, there are a few main reasons it may occur:. Extended bleeding can be a sign of something more serious, especially further on during the pregnancy. Molar pregnancy or miscarriage are two concerns, which is why whenever visiting the OBGYN or other doctors, it is necessary to inform them of current or recent bleeding especially if it is heavy , as well as any other symptoms you are experiencing.

In your first trimester, be sure to let your healthcare provider know about any spotting. Let your healthcare provider know immediately about any spotting in your second or third trimesters. If at any point during your pregnancy you experience heavy bleeding, contact your healthcare provider immediately or consider seeking emergency care.

Cramping is normal during pregnancy, yet if the level of pain during cramping increases, it is recommended to contact a doctor.

Affordable and accurate pregnancy tests can be purchased from our corporate sponsor Fairhaven Health. You are welcome to contact our toll-free helpline at to speak with a pregnancy educator.

Often, taking a pregnancy test before the missed period or during implantation bleeding is just too soon for tests to offer conclusive results. Ideally, waiting a week after the spotting or missed period is most desirable as the results should prove more accurate. Implantation bleeding is a sign of a potential pregnancy.