Do you notice any minor bleeding outside of your period? These losses, called "spotting", affect many women. How to recognize spotting? What are the causes ? Are there any solutions? We tell you everything.
What is spotting?
The "Spotting", (meaning task in English) describes a blood flow from the genital tract outside the periods of menstruation. This bleeding can be more or less important. It should not be confused spotting and rules. Indeed, the spotting is less abundant and of a generally darker color (brown blood) than the rules. Another difference: spotting bleeding is occasional, unlike menstruation which is cyclical.
The causes of spotting
This light bleeding can be caused by various factors. Many physiological or psychological events sometimes disrupt the entire functioning of the body:
Hormonal contraception (pill, implant, patch, hormonal IUD …) contains a certain dosage of estrogen and / or progesterone. This dosage varies from one method of contraception to another (and even between brands / types of birth control pills!). Your method of birth control may contain an unsuitable or higher dosage of hormones for you, causing spotting. Spotting is very common when changing or stopping a contraceptive, Whether it is the pill, IUD or an implant. The body needs time to adjust to changes in hormones. This is particularly the case when switching from hormonal contraception to the copper IUD, but spotting can also follow a change of pill, for example. If the bleeding does not get better, see a doctor.
Pre-menopause can cause spotting due to the hormonal transition the body goes through during this time. Warning: If you have any bleeding after going through menopause, see your doctor.
- Stress and emotions
Yes, he is often the worst enemy of our body. Stres causes a hormonal disorder that can cause bleeding between periods.
In addition to having an impact on sleep, jet lag can disrupt the menstrual cycle, especially if the jet lag is severe.
Spotting during pregnancy
For most women, being pregnant means stopping menstruation. However, some women may have slight bleeding. One in four women is reportedly affected by "pregnancy spotting," also known as the "birthday period," which usually does not last beyond the first trimester. Bleeding during pregnancy can also be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Any bleeding during pregnancy should lead to a consultation with the gynecologist.
Spotting caused by gynecological diseases
Most often, the spotting is mild and painless. But if it is prolonged in time or if it is frequent, it should lead to a medical consultation. We then speak of metrorrhagia.
The metrorrhagia, or prolonged spotting, can be caused by many medical factors, such as a fibroid on the lining of the uterus, and needs to be watched for. It can also be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection or endometriosis. By carrying out a few examinations, your health specialist will be able to refer you and reassure you.
Spotting: what possible treatment?
The treatment of spotting is based on its cause:
- If the spotting is due to an inappropriate horomonal dosage, a change of contraception may be proposed,
- In case of uterine fibroid or polyp, surgical treatment may be necessary,
- If the spotting is due to an infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. This treatment should be taken by the sexual partner (s) for the past two months.
Some references to find out more:
See also: all you need to know about premenstrual syndrome