Vaginal spotting is light bleeding between menstrual cycles and can be caused by a variety of conditions, including hormonal changes, infections, and more serious health problems. Women experiencing spotting should seek medical attention to rule out serious causes.
Vaginal spotting is light bleeding from the vagina that occurs between menstrual cycles. Spotting can be a sign of a variety of conditions, but is often quite harmless. Health experts often advise women experiencing spotting to visit a gynecologist or health care professional to rule out any potentially serious causes.
Spotting, unlike normal menstrual bleeding, is often very light and may consist of only a few drops of blood. The blood may look different than menstrual blood or be mixed with vaginal discharge. Dark brown or pale pink drops of blood are common during spotting. Spotting can be the result of an injury to the vagina, an underlying health condition, or a natural or doctor-induced hormonal shift.
There are many different causes of spotting. Even a normal hormonal change, such as one that occurs during ovulation, can occasionally cause light bleeding. Some women using oral contraceptives or hormone-enhanced intrauterine devices (IUDs) may experience spotting. Menopausal women, those under high levels of stress, or women with erratically low thyroid levels are prone to sudden and unusual hormonal changes that can even cause light bleeding.
Vaginal spotting can also be a sign of an internal infection. Bladder or cervical infections are not uncommon causes of the symptom. Other signs of infection, such as frequent or urgent urination, itching, or unusual vaginal discharge, can help identify the cause of an infection. In most cases, the infections that cause spotting can be resolved quickly with antibiotics, so experts usually recommend prompt medical attention.
Many women in the early days of pregnancy experience a type of vaginal spotting known as implantation bleeding. This occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine wall, which can cause some bleeding as the egg inserts itself inside. Implantation bleeding does not occur in all pregnant women, but in some it can be the first sign of pregnancy. Bleeding may also occur later in pregnancy; While it can have a variety of causes, health experts recommend contacting a doctor right away if you experience spotting or bleeding during pregnancy, as it can be a sign of serious health problems.
Sometimes vaginal bleeding can be caused by more serious health problems, such as endometriosis, STDs, or even cervical or uterine cancer. While many cases of spotting are caused by minor problems that are easily fixed, there is the potential for more serious causes. Visiting a doctor for a pelvic exam and further tests can help determine the true cause of vaginal spots, even if the cause is just an irregular hormone pattern.
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