Bleeding Before Period is due

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Bleeding Before Period is due

Spotting before period is usually nothing to worry about. Light bleeding before period is due is known as spotting. There may be times when you notice light bleeding in the week before your period. Understanding the reasons for the same can help put you at ease and minimize the panic of seeing a few spots of blood on your underwear before you get your period. In order to understand the reasons for spotting, it is important to quickly go through the difference between spotting and bleeding.

A typical menstrual cycle ranges between 21 to 35 days. Spotting is basically the vaginal bleeding that happens before or after or period. This can be pinkish brown spots on your underwear or a toilet paper. The quantity is barely enough for a panty liner, whereas bleeding requires a sanitary pad to soak in the flow. What is important though, is understanding what is normal for you. So, if you have never experienced spotting before your period, and suddenly notice spots, it may be worth speaking with your doctor. In all likelihood, spotting is typically associated with ovulation pattern of the body. There are several other reasons why this may happen. Read on to know more –

Your First Period

The first few years of menstruation can get mighty confusing with irregular cycles, cramps and much more. Brown discharge or spotting before period is one of the many things for those who have newly started their periods, experience. This is normal, wherein the hormones are still settling in with the new changes happening in the body. It is only a matter of time before you see any spotting.

Ovulation

Ovulation

Ovulation spotting is a common occurrence for some people and is nothing to be concerned about. Spotting can appear a day or two after ovulating. When you ovulate, you may notice mild spotting, which is usually pale pink in color. Ovulation spotting can be caused by several factors. The emergence of ovarian follicles, for example, can induce it. When a follicle grows and bursts, it can produce some light bleeding in the form of brown discharge before period, and mild pain. During ovulation, an increase in estrogen levels might cause light spotting or bleeding. Make sure you don't confuse this spotting with menstruation spotting!

Stress

Stress

Stress can affect your body in various ways. Spotting may be an effect of hormonal imbalance caused by stress. Your period cycle can be affected by emotional stress (depression, anxiety, concern, insomnia) as well as physical stress (weight loss or gain, illness, bad food, excessive exercise). This is because elevated levels of stress lead your body to produce more cortisol, which causes your body to produce less estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle, causing irregular or late periods as well as spotting in between. While exercise is a helpful stress reliever, excessive exercise can lead to a lack of menstruation and spotting.

PCOS

PCOS

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that prevents regular ovulation and can result in abnormal bleeding or spotting between cycles. It can also result in unwanted hair and acne. It is particularly common in young teens. PCOS affects one out of every ten individuals. Typically, the ovaries do not get the correct hormonal signals from the pituitary gland in cases of PCOS. It becomes difficult to ovulate every month if these signals are not correctly passed on, which impact the menstrual cycle. You may then experience irregular cycles, with bleeding before periods. Birth control or other types of hormone medication are the most popular treatments for PCOS.

Birth Control

Birth Control

Spotting before period can be caused by hormonal birth control tablets, patches, injections, rings, and implants. Bleeding before period is due can happen by itself or when you first start using a hormone-based birth control method, skip doses, alter the dose of your birth control; or use birth control for a long time. Birth control is sometimes used to address irregular bleeding between periods. If your symptoms don't improve or worsen, it is advised to see your doctor.

Hormone Fluctuations

Hormone changes can disrupt the menstrual cycle and cause spotting before period. This spotting is more likely to happen while an individual’s menstrual cycle is just getting started. During this stage, certain periods may be shorter and lighter than others.

When to See a Doctor?

When to See a Doctor?

Bleeding before period or spotting between periods is usual, but if it happens more than once or twice in a row, you should see a doctor to identify the source and make sure it doesn't pose a health risk, or take steps to control it if the cause is a medical concern. See a doctor if –

  • You're pregnant and can't explain why you're spotting between period
  • The spotting occurs after menopause
  • It progresses from spotting to heavy menstrual-like bleeding
  • You're in pain, weary, or feeling dizzy

Don't worry if you're noticing brown spotting between period! Whisper pantyliners help absorb vaginal discharge and spotting and are much thinner and more flexible than pads, so they're ideal for days when you don't have a period but still require protection.