# Spotting between periods

> What a little unexpected blood can mean.

Category: Cycle basics · 4 min read · Written by the Splash team · Sources checked October 2026
URL: https://splash.care/learn/cycle-basics/spotting-between-periods

## 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](https://splash.care/learn/glossary/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](https://splash.care/learn/conditions/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](https://splash.care/learn/glossary/cervix) (cervical ectropion), small growths on the cervix (polyps), vaginal dryness and STIs as possible causes. A [doctor](https://splash.care/learn/conditions/talk-to-your-doctor) or nurse may ask questions, do a [pregnancy test](https://splash.care/tools/pregnancy-test-timing), a blood test and an [STI](https://splash.care/learn/glossary/sti) test, and look at your cervix.

> **Splash says:** log spotting as "spotting", not as a period start. It keeps your cycle stats tidy. If it happens again, jot down the dates, colour and anything that might link, so you can tell the clinician.

### When to see a doctor

See a GP or sexual health clinic if you bleed between periods or after sex. Any bleeding after menopause also needs checking. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you have recently missed a period, have unusual bleeding and pain anywhere in your tummy or pelvis. This could be an ectopic pregnancy and needs checking as soon as possible. Call 999 for severe pain with dizziness, fainting or heavy bleeding.

**Quick quiz:** You notice light bleeding a week after your period ended. What is the best next step?

1. Ignore it forever
2. Log it as spotting, and see a GP or sexual health clinic if it keeps happening
3. Log it as a new period

Answer: 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

1. [NHS: Vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/vaginal-bleeding-between-periods-or-after-sex/)
2. [ACOG: Abnormal uterine bleeding](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/abnormal-uterine-bleeding)
3. [Nemours KidsHealth: Could I get pregnant if I have sex during my period?](https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/sex-during-period.html)
4. [NHS: Periods](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/)

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).