Spotting should i be worried

Blood loss during a period averages about 40 ccs, or the equivalent of only three tablespoons. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy when you stand is also concerning," says Dr. She also urges women to see a doctor if they experience bleeding after going through menopause, or if they experience bleeding while pregnant.

A blood flow of 80 ccs five tablespoons or more that lasts longer than seven days may signal that you have menorrhagia — excessively heavy and prolonged menstrual periods. If heavy and prolonged periods interfere with living your daily life consult your doctor.

Excessive blood loss can also lead to anemia, an iron deficiency, and may signal other medical conditions. Anemia can cause fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath or dizziness. Bleeding that occurs between periods or is not directly associated with your normal menstruation is referred to as metrorrhagia.

This can consist of light or heavy bleeding or spotting that may be accompanied by abdominal pain or cramps. Metrorrhagia is more common for teenagers and women nearing menopause.

Less commonly, bleeding irregularities can indicate pre-cancer or cancer. Stress and lifestyle changes — Stress and lifestyle changes, such as gaining or losing weight, dieting, changing exercise routines, traveling, illness and other disruptions to your normal daily routine can impact your menstrual cycle and cause irregularities.

Birth control — Going on or off birth control pills can affect your menstruation. Some women may experience irregular periods or miss periods for up to six months after stopping birth control pills. Other forms of birth control, such as IUDs, can cause period irregularities lighter or heavier flows or cause your period to stop. Birth control pills that only contain progestin no estrogen may cause bleeding between periods.

Medications — Some anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants blood thinners , hormone medications or steroids can affect menstrual bleeding.

Hormone imbalances — An excess of estrogen and progesterone can cause heavy bleeding. This is most common for girls in the first year or so of having her first period and for women nearing menopause.

Uterine polyps or fibroids — Uterine polyps are small growths in the lining of the uterus, while fibroids are tumors that attach to the wall of the uterus. Both are usually benign noncancerous but can cause heavy bleeding and pain during periods. Light vaginal bleeding outside of your period is known as intermenstrual bleeding.

Though not uncommon, it can be a symptom of some other health problem. Most women are quite familiar with spotting. And then, when you realize it was just a one-off, you exhale with relief and forget about it.

But should you always ignore it? Light vaginal bleeding outside of your period is known as intermenstrual bleeding or spotting. You might notice a spot or two of blood in your underwear - which will not necessarily require a sanitary pad or tampon, maybe just a panty liner. It can be inconvenient though. Spotting in young women is not uncommon and is often not harmful. However, it is wise to not ignore the intermenstrual bleeding as it can be a symptom of some other health problem.

Other than being inconvenient or uncomfortable, intermenstrual bleeding may cause problems like anxiety and stress. It is rarely painful. If a sexually transmitted infection or STI is the cause of the spotting, it can also lead to fertility-related problems. Bleeding can signal a sexually transmitted infection STI , such as chlamydia or gonorrhea , that should be treated promptly, Ford says.

Another condition that can lead to bleeding after intercourse is cervical entropion, in which the fragile glandular cells lining the cervical opening grow on the surface of the uterus. Much more rarely, post-sex spotting can be a sign of cervical cancer. Your doctor can take a Pap smear, a sample of cells from your cervix the opening of the uterus at the top of the vagina to test for STIs and abnormal precancerous or cancerous cells. Ectopic pregnancy , in which a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus usually within the fallopian tubes , can also cause bleeding, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG.

Spotting may also be due to vaginal trauma. Once you reach your thirties, the chance that spotting could indicate endometrial cancer , a type of cancer of the uterus, increases. Dabney says. It's probably one of those things, but unless you have it evaluated, you don't know if you're that one in 1, people who has the cancer.

Fibroids, benign growths that can form in your uterus, are more likely to cause irregular bleeding if they grow into the uterine lining. Polyps, another type of benign growth, can also grow in the uterus or on the cervix and may cause bleeding.

Both fibroids and polyps can be removed surgically. Endometrial hyperplasia , in which the lining of the uterus grows too thick, can also cause abnormal bleeding.