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Includes Expert Content

Bleeding

An_245511 posted:

I have no idea what I should do or look for. I have already had my period this month and now I am lightly bleeding. I can only tell by the toliet paper. That would put me 17 days too early. I have looked things up but mostly nothing fits my symptoms. I just have the light blood and a small amount of pain in my stomach but nothing along craps of like a regular UTI. I have had those before and I never bled. Any suggestions would be welcomed. PLEASE HELP

1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:BleedingI have no idea what I should do or look for. I have already had my period this month and now I am lightly bleeding. I can only tell by the toliet paper. That would put me 17 days too early. I have looked things up but mostly nothing fits my symptoms. I just have the light blood and a small amount of pain in my stomach but nothing along craps of like a regular UTI. I have had those before and I never bled. Any suggestions would be welcomed. PLEASE HELP

Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:

Dear An: If you happen to be on some kind of hormonal birth control (pill/patch/ring/Mirena) the most likely explanation would be "normal" breakthrough bleeding/spotting due to the hormones in the birth control. However, if you are not using hormones then the following is my best GUESS.

You mentioned that the spotting began about cycle day 11 (cycle day 1 being the first day of your last period), if you have a typical 28 day cycle. Given this specific timing the most likely cause would be bleeding with ovulation. Right before ovulation there is a brief spike of estrogen. When this level drops back down to normal, the sharp decline can destabilize the lining of the uterus leading to spotting/bleeding. Some women have this sign of ovulation every month; others only rarely. Fortunately the amount is usually scant and brief in duration.

Some other possible causes of erratic spotting can include a new chlamydia infection (unlikely if you are both monogamous). polyps of the lining of the uterus (way more common in midlife women), or missed/erratic ovulations (usually there will be a history of missed/irregular periods).

If your erratic bleeding persists, or you develop other symptoms (eg pelvic pain from an infection or ovarian cyst) see your GYN or local family planning clinic. Hopefully, since it never happened before, this is an isolated episode of ovulation-linked spotting.

Yours,
Jane

Report This| Share this:BleedingDear An: If you happen to be on some kind of hormonal birth control (pill/patch/ring/Mirena) the most likely explanation would be "normal" breakthrough bleeding/spotting due to the hormones in the birth control. However, if you are not using hormones then the following is my best GUESS. You mentioned that the spotting began about cycle day 11 (cycle day 1 being the first day of your last period), if you have a typical 28 day cycle. Given this specific timing the most likely cause would be bleeding with ovulation. Right before ovulation there is a brief spike of estrogen. When this level drops back down to normal, the sharp decline can destabilize the lining of the uterus leading to spotting/bleeding. Some women have this sign of ovulation every month; others only rarely. Fortunately the amount is usually scant and brief in duration. Some other possible causes of erratic spotting can include a new chlamydia infection (unlikely if you are both monogamous). polyps of the lining of the uterus (way more common in midlife women), or missed/erratic ovulations (usually there will be a history of missed/irregular periods). If your erratic bleeding persists, or you develop other symptoms (eg pelvic pain from an infection or ovarian cyst) see your GYN or local family planning clinic. Hopefully, since it never happened before, this is an isolated episode of ovulation-linked spotting. Yours, Jane

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