Spotting Between Periods? Here’s What Might Be Behind the Abnormal Bleeding

In an ideal world, your periods come every four weeks or so, last 3-4 days, and bring minimal cramping. That is certainly not always the case given that up to one-third of women will experience abnormal bleeding at some point in their lives.

One of the more common ways abnormal bleeding presents itself is spotting between periods, which can not only be a hassle but also a worry that it’s signaling a larger problem.

Many patients come to Advanced Endometriosis Center because of abnormal bleeding. As a result, Dr. Ulas Bozdogan and our team are well familiar with some of the more common culprits behind spotting between periods, and we review them here.

(Please note that we’re excluding pregnancy from this list. If you spot during your pregnancy, this is something you should address with your obstetrician.)

Hormonal birth control

Nearly 65% of women in the United States of reproductive age use some sort of birth control and hormonal methods account for a large chunk. The goal of hormonal birth control is to introduce reproductive hormones to prevent ovulation (and pregnancy).

Whether you take a birth control pill, use a patch, get injections, or have a hormonal intrauterine device, many women experience spotting when they first get started on the hormones. This spotting can last for a few months and usually isn’t cause for concern, but if it continues past six months and the bleeding is more than spotting, we want you to come see us.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

One of the common side effects of polycystic ovary syndrome, affecting 8-13% of reproductive-aged women, includes spotting. With PCOS, you have a hormonal imbalance — your androgen levels are too high — which can lead to cysts on your ovaries. Between the hormone imbalance and the cysts, your menstrual cycles can become very irregular and spotting is possible.

Perimenopause and menopause

If you’re nearing the age when your body is preparing to transition out of the reproductive stage, your periods can become erratic. Most women enter perimenopause in their 40s and the average age of menopause is 51. During this time, your ovaries slowly shut down and your periods may become less predictable.

Uterine fibroids

Many women develop uterine fibroids — benign growths in the walls of the uterus — during their reproductive years. Sometimes, these growths can lead to bleeding outside your regular periods, as well as heavy bleeding during your periods.

Endometriosis

As the name of our practice suggests, we’re leading experts in the area of endometriosis, a condition that affects at least 11% of reproductive-aged women. With endometriosis, endometrial tissues grow outside your uterus, which can lead to heavy periods and spotting between periods.

This list isn’t complete, but it gives you an idea of the wide range of issues (and perfectly normal circumstances) that can lead to spotting. If you’re concerned about your abnormal bleeding, it’s a good idea to have us check it out, even if it's just for peace of mind.

To get that diagnostic ball rolling, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bozdogan today online or over the phone. We have offices in New York City and Paramus, New Jersey.