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.

7. Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like yeast infections, chlamydia, or gonorrhea, can cause spotting between periods or after sex. You may also experience other symptoms like a burning sensation when you pass urine, a white, yellow, or green discharge from your vagina, itching in the vaginal area, and pain in your lower pelvis. Most STIs can be treated with medication if they are caught early.

8. Pelvic inflammatory disease

When bacteria from a vaginal infection spread upwards and affect your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, you may experience abnormal bleeding and spotting. This is a symptom of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). You may also have a fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and pain while passing urine or having sex. If a PID is not treated by antibiotics, the bacteria may spread to your blood and this can be life-threatening.

9. Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are soft tissue growths in the uterus. They can affect fertility, making it harder for you to get pregnant or take a pregnancy to term. As a result, you may experience heavy or more extended periods, pelvic and lower back pain, and frequent spotting. Most fibroids are benign and may shrink on their own, while others need medication or surgery.