15 Reasons why you may be spotting before your period

3. Perimenopause

The most common sign that you may be approaching menopause is irregular or missed periods. Still, some women may also experience spotting as their cycles get lighter or heavier than usual.

4. Cancer

Certain cancers that affect the female genital organs like uterine, cervical, ovarian, or vaginal cancer can cause abnormal bleeding, spotting, and vaginal discharge. While spotting is not always a sign of cancer, repeated spotting after menopause should be checked out.

5. Trauma

Some people may experience spotting after sustaining injuries to the vaginal area. The most common causes are after a procedure like a pelvic exam or inserting a condom. In other cases, rough sex or sexual assault can irritate and damage the delicate tissues of the vagina.

6. Uterine or cervical polyps

Cervical polyps are small finger-like growths that arise from the inner lining of the uterus and cervix. Your doctor can see polyps during a routine examination, and you may not always need treatment if they aren't causing any symptoms. But, in some cases, they can cause irregular and heavy periods, light bleeding between periods, spotting after sex, and unusual discharge from your vagina.