Brown discharge or bleeding outside of your period can be worrisome at times. There can be many reasons for this, from naturally fluctuating hormones to more serious medical conditions that should be discussed with your doctor. In this article, we will summarize some of the possible causes of bleeding outside of your period.
Menstruation, non-menstrual bleeding and spotting
Let's start with some terminology. If fertilization does not occur during the menstrual cycle after ovulation, the uterus sheds its lining during menstruation. Menstruation occurs every 21 to 35 days in a healthy cycle and is considered to begin on the first day of bleeding. This period usually lasts 5-7 days.
If you experience bleeding during your menstrual cycle outside of your menstrual period, we refer to this as intermenstrual bleeding .
Spotting is defined as bloody vaginal discharge that occurs in the form of a few drops of light pink or brown color and does not require the use of menstrual protection , such as a pad, tampon, or cup. However, for some people, it may be more comfortable to reach for an intimate panty liner at such a time.
Possible reasons for spotting and bleeding outside of menstruation
There are several cases where you may experience spotting or bleeding outside of your period:
Before (and after) menstruation
One sign that your period is coming is dark discharge. According to a 2020 study, about 41% of women experience spotting at least one day before their period. ( 1 ) If this is your case, there’s probably no need to worry. As your period gradually draws to a close, you may notice dark-colored blood again. This is because blood flow is slower at this point, so it’s exposed to oxygen for a longer period and turns darker.
Ovulation bleeding
Ovulation is the moment around the middle of your cycle when your ovary releases a mature egg that is ready to be fertilized by sperm. Ovulation usually lasts 12 to 24 hours, and you may experience some light brown or pink spotting during this time. Because more cervical mucus is produced during this time , which helps sperm reach the egg, the bloody discharge may mix with the cervical fluid and have a consistency similar to raw egg whites.
Perimenopause period
Perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause. A woman’s reproductive hormones gradually decline, and women may experience a variety of symptoms due to hormonal fluctuations, including changes in their menstrual cycle. Periods may be longer or shorter than they are used to. ( 2 )
Bleeding after intercourse
During masturbation or after intercourse, insufficient lubrication can cause minor injuries, which can lead to spotting or light bleeding, known as postcoital bleeding . It’s usually nothing to worry about, but if you experience bleeding after vaginal intercourse on a regular basis or if you’re losing a significant amount of blood, see your doctor. ( 3 )
During pregnancy
Approximately 25% of pregnant women experience light bleeding or spotting during the first trimester. Spotting is a common early sign of pregnancy ; it may be related to the implantation of the embryo in the uterus, or it may be due to hormonal changes that occur with pregnancy. Other possible causes of bleeding during pregnancy include ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, in which the bleeding may also be accompanied by pain. ( 4 )
Other possible reasons
In addition to the causes listed above, spotting is also quite common when starting a new form of hormonal contraception , especially in the first few months. You might experience this with the pill, the contraceptive patch, or the intrauterine device, for example. ( 5 )
Spotting or bleeding outside of your period can be a result of certain medical conditions , such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or it can occur in the case of sexually transmitted infections. Therefore, if you are concerned about spotting outside of your period, we recommend that you contact your doctor to find out the possible causes and prevent problems in time.
Learn to track your cycle
Regularly tracking your menstrual cycle can provide much more information than just the expected arrival of your period. If you want to keep track of your period, the days of bleeding (and spotting), and all the accompanying symptoms, now is the time to dive into cycle tracking.
You will learn everything you need to know about the menstrual cycle from A to Z in our webinar Harmony of the Cycle . In the follow-up webinar Symptothermal Method in Practice, we will teach you how to effectively monitor and record all the symptoms of your cycle.
What else can you read on FEMSPACE?
- Blood clots during menstruation
- Menstrual *red flags*: 7 signals to watch out for
- How hormonal contraception works
- How to start tracking your menstrual cycle
- What is vaginal discharge and how does it change during the cycle?
- 4 benefits of menstrual products made from organic cotton
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With love
Femvie team
