Many women have many misconceptions about spotting. Like why are they spotting? Is this any indication of disease, etc.
Most women have the wrong thinking about spotting. According to him, this is an extraordinary situation. But in fact it is a very common process that occurs during pregnancy, menstruation and sometimes after sex. It occurs in three months of onset in 30% of pregnant women. So let’s know in this article what causes spotting and how it differs from menstruation.
What is spotting
Spotting is a very common problem. In fact it occurs in the form of bleeding as a result of an injury, infection or discomfort. It is not a sign of any woman being unwell but it is a concern if you are having excessive bleeding or if the blood color is more red. If a woman feels these symptoms during pregnancy, the doctor advises her to have a medical examination as it can be normal and warning of any serious problem. Whenever you are uncomfortable with this type of bleeding, contact the doctor.
Difference between spotting and period
The main difference between spotting and menstruation is blood volume. Spotting brings a very small amount of blood to the vagina, which may appear as a slight red mark on the underwear. But there is an excessive amount of bleeding in menstruation which requires sanitary pads. There is a difference in blood color between menstruation and spotting. If more red blood symbolizes menstruation and spotting blood is light brown. Spotting is a normal physical mechanism but sometimes it is also a sign of an unhealthy body while menstruation always indicates a woman’s health. Spotting can occur at any time while the period of menstruation is almost fixed.
Read more:What is a menstrual cup? Methods and benefits of its use in periods
Spotting symptoms
During menstruation, the blood flow is very high due to which you have to use pads or tampons but spotting is much less than menstruation and for this you do not need to use pads because during this very Blood comes out in small quantities as well as the color of spotting blood is also lighter than the color of period blood.
It is also another way to find out if you are having periods or spotting. You will feel the following symptoms before menstruation or during menstruation:
1. Swelling
2. Breast discomfort
3. Twitch
4. Fatigue
5. Changing mood
6. Nausea
Although sometimes spotting and menstruation occur simultaneously, the symptoms of spotting are as follows:
1. Excessive bleeding during menstruation
2. Vaginal itching and redness
3. Irregular menstruation
4. Nausea
5. Pain or burning during urination or sex
6. Stomach or pelvic pain
7. Unusual discharge and smell from the vagina.
8. Weight gain
Read more: Reasons for long periods and what to consider for early periods
Causes of spotting
During the menstrual cycle, when there is ovulation, there is light brown or pink bleeding but it stops in a day.
Two weeks after the last menstruation, light pink color bleeding may occur. This happens when the egg from the ovary enters the fallopian tube. During this time, a small amount of blood can flow from the vagina. In most women, ovulation spotting occurs due to increased estrogen levels during which the lining of the uterine wall comes out.
Only 20–30 percent of women experience spotting during pregnancy. The first three months when the fertilized egg is implanted on the uterine wall, most women consider this implantation to be menstrual because this bleeding occurs when they are not even aware of being pregnant. Pregnant women should take special care of it because sometimes it can be a sign of something serious. It can be a sign of miscarriage, placenta problems, ectopic pregnancy or premature labor. All of these situations require immediate medical treatment.
At the end of pregnancy, bleeding can also be a sign of childbirth. The blood comes from the mucus plug when the body is ready for delivery. It usually occurs after 37 weeks of pregnancy. If spotting occurs before then you should consult a doctor.
If Bleeding
If bleeding is not happening due to the above mentioned reasons, sometimes it can also be due to infection. This infection can occur in the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix and ovaries and should never be overlooked as it can have serious consequences. Spotting can also be a symptom of serious diseases such as cervical cancer, endometriosis, lesions in the uterine wall, etc.
Irregular bleeding is also a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In which extra male hormones are produced from the ovaries.
Birth control pills can also cause spotting, especially when you first start using them or you change pills. Women who have an intrauterine device.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous nodes that form outside or inside the uterus. These cause abnormal vaginal bleeding and pain.
Cervical polyps occur on the cervix. It is not cancer, but it can cause bleeding. During pregnancy, they can cause bleeding due to hormone changes.
Spotting can also occur due to fluctuations in the level of hormones during menopause, but once complete menopause occurs the bleeding should stop.
If there is any damage to the vagina during uncomfortable sex or sexual assault, spotting can occur.
Read more: Pain in Periods?, Cramps and It’s Cure-All you need to know