What causes bleeding between periods? Spotting when you’re not on your period will no doubt make you panic! Here are 5 potential causes to consider.
Your period can tell you a lot about your health and what’s going on in your body. Spotting between periods, also known as Intermenstrual bleeding, can be caused by several factors. It’s important to always get this checked out with a GP. But here are 5 potential causes:
Hormonal imbalance
Throughout your cycle, your hormones naturally fluctuate. Hormonal changes are a common cause of bleeding between periods. An example of this is during ovulation. Your oestrogen levels naturally dip during this phase in the menstrual cycle. This can ‘destabilise’ the endometrium.
Whilst hormonal changes are all part of menstruation, an imbalance can also be the cause. External factors that affect hormones (stress for example) can lead to a hormonal imbalance. This can also cause you to bleed between periods. Observe your body throughout your cycle. If you notice irregular bleeding alongside additional symptoms such a breast tenderness, it’s recommended to consult a medical professional for further advice.
Early pregnancy
Early pregnancy can cause you to bleed between periods. Implantation bleeding is not that common but can cause you to spot or bleed. This can resemble a period and be accompanied by the usual PMS discomfort such as cramps. If you suspect you might be pregnant then it might be time to try a test!
Contraception
On the contrary, your contraception can cause you to bleed between periods. If you’ve just started with a new contraception this can lead to irregular bleeding or spotting between periods. The NHS advise that if this lasts longer than 3 months you should seek medical advice.
Menopause
On the lead up to menopause (perimenopause), your ovaries begin to produce less oestrogen. The changes in your body can lead to irregular periods and bleeding between periods. If this is confirmed by a Doctor, try using a daily liner to protect you against sudden bleeding during the month.
Underlying condition
This is a broad subtopic but bleeding between periods can indicate an underlying condition or health concern. Whether this is an STI or undiagnosed reproductive health condition such as PCOS. It’s therefore important to never self-diagnose or ignore these symptoms. Always seek medical advice. It’s useful to share how long this has been happening, how light the flow is, the colour of the bleed and if you have any additional symptoms during the month.
As you can see there is a number of reasons why you might be bleeding between periods! That’s why it’s important to consult a GP or medical professional. To keep an eye on your period and spot irregular bleeding it’s good practice to track your cycle. More info on this here.
Photography by:
Jessica Felicio
