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Quick answer
Spotting is light bleeding outside your period, often brown or pink. Common, usually harmless causes include hormonal contraception, ovulation and early pregnancy. The NHS advises getting bleeding between periods or after sex checked by a GP or sexual health clinic, as infections or changes to the cervix sometimes need treatment.
- Spotting is common, especially with hormonal contraception.
- The NHS says to get bleeding between periods or after sex checked.
- Log spotting separately from your period.
- Spotting with a missed period and tummy pain needs urgent advice.
Spotting is light bleeding outside your period, often just a few drops or brown streaks on toilet paper. It is common and often harmless. The NHS is clear on one thing though: always get bleeding between periods or after sex checked by a GP or sexual health clinic. It is not usually serious, but it can occasionally be a sign of cancer, so it is better to know.
Common causes
- Hormonal contraception, such as the pill. The NHS lists it as a common cause of bleeding between periods.
- Small growths in and around the womb, such as polyps or fibroids.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia.
- Around ovulation: some people get light spotting mid-cycle (KidsHealth notes it tends to be lighter than a period). Even so, mention it to a GP if it keeps happening.
- Early pregnancy: light bleeding can happen.
If it happens after sex
The NHS lists changes to the surface of the cervix (cervical ectropion), small growths on the cervix (polyps), vaginal dryness and STIs as possible causes. A doctor or nurse may ask questions, do a pregnancy test, a blood test and an STI test, and look at your cervix.
- Ignore it forever
- Log it as spotting, and see a GP or sexual health clinic if it keeps happening
- Log it as a new period
Show the answer
B. Log it as spotting, and see a GP or sexual health clinic if it keeps happening
One-off spotting is often harmless, but the NHS says bleeding between periods should always be checked, and that definitely includes bleeding that keeps coming back.
Sources
Written by the Splash teamSources checked
This is general information, not medical advice. Splash can’t diagnose. If you’re worried, talk to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US). How we write and check articles.