Spotting 2 days before period on birth control

Spotting is also a common symptom of early pregnancy. About 1 in 4 people experience spotting, usually between gestational weeks 5 and 8 (or about 1 to 4 weeks after someone expects their period) (6). Spotting is usually nothing to worry about—research has shown that people with spotting aren’t more likely to have a miscarriage than people who don’t have spotting (6). However, heavy spotting or bleeding may be more of a concern. If you’re pregnant and bleeding, call your healthcare provider to let them know what’s going on.

Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum

What is the difference between an embryo, a fetus, and a baby?

Fetus or baby? Why language around pregnancy matters

by Laurie Ray, DNP

While many sources call spotting in early pregnancy “implantation bleeding,” there isn’t strong evidence that it’s associated with an embryo’s implantation in the uterus. It may actually be related to hormonal changes, as the production of progesterone switches from the ovary to the forming placenta (6).

Spotting can be a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy (7). This is a pregnancy that is growing somewhere other than the uterus, usually the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancy bleeding may be coupled with other symptoms including abdominal pain on one side, shoulder pain, and/or dizziness. If you experience symptoms of spotting and suspect you may have an ectopic pregnancy, seek immediate medical help.

3. Physical conditions, infections, and spotting

Spotting can also be caused by infections and physical changes in the reproductive tract, or hormonal imbalances. Physical conditions that can cause spotting episodes include fibroids (abnormal growth of muscle tissue on your uterus), uterine or cervical polyps (abnormal growths on your cervix or the inside of your uterus) and endometriosis (8).

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which happens when certain pelvic infections (like STIs) go untreated, can also be another culprit for unscheduled spotting. Other symptoms of PID can include pain in the lower abdomen, unusual vaginal discharge, and fever (9). If you suspect you have spotting and other associated symptoms of PID or of physical pelvic conditions, it’s important to discuss this with your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause bleeding from the urethra (where you pee from, between your clitoris and vagina). Pain while urinating, paired with a small amount of blood on the toilet paper, might be signs of a UTI (10).

Consistently spotting after penetrative vaginal intercourse is not considered normal. Bleeding after sex (postcoital spotting) is often caused by an issue with the cervix or polyps (11). Some people may experience spotting after their first intercourse experience, which is normal. If you’re noticing spotting after sex, talk to your healthcare provider.

4. Ovulation, hormonal issues, and spotting

Spotting can also occur around the time of ovulation. It’s unclear why some people experience ovulation bleeding while others don’t—some research suggests it happens in people who have higher levels of some hormones (12).

Spotting a few days before the period starts, in the late luteal phase, might suggest low progesterone (especially if your luteal phase is unusually short) (13), but more research is needed.

Understanding your body can improve usage of non-hormonal birth control. to learn more about Clue Birth Control.

This article was originally published on October 5, 2017.

Live in sync with your cycle and download the Clue app today.

References

1. Fraser I, Munro M, Critchley H. Abnormal uterine bleeding in reproductive-age women: Terminology and PALM-COEIN etiology classification. UpToDate; 2019[updated 2018 Aug 13].

2. Vitzthum VJ. The ecology and evolutionary endocrinology of reproduction in the human female. American journal of physical anthropology. 2009;140(S49):95-136.

3. Kaunitz AM, Barbieri RL, Levine D, Falk SJ. Approach to abnormal uterine bleeding in nonpregnant reproductive-age women [Internet]. UpToDate; 2019.

4. Dickey RP. Managing Contraceptive Pill Patients (15th edition). Emis Inc. 2014.

5. Edelman A, Kaneshiro B, Zieman M, Barss VA. Management of unscheduled bleeding in women using contraception. UpToDate; 2019[updated 2018 Oct 8].

6. Hasan R, Baird DD, Herring AH, Olshan AF, Funk ML, Hartmann KE. Patterns and predictors of vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. Annals of Epidemiology. 2010 Jul 31;20(7):524–31.

7. Kirk E, Bottomley C, Bourne T. Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy and current concepts in the management of pregnancy of unknown location. Hum Reprod Update. 2014 Mar 01;20(2):250–261.

8. Munro MG, Critchley HO, Broder MS, Fraser IS, FIGO Working Group on Menstrual Disorders. FIGO classification system (PALM-COEIN) for causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in nongravid women of reproductive age. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2011 Apr 30;113(1):3–13.

9. Mitchell C, Prabhu M. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2013 Dec;27(4):01–21.

10.US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Urinary tract infection. 2015. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/uti.html

1. Selo-Ojeme DO, Dayoub N, Patel A, Metha M. A clinico-pathological study of postcoital bleeding. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2004 Jul;270(1):34–36.

2. Dasharathy SS, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, Perkins NJ, Mattison DR, Wactawski-Wende J, Schisterman EF. Menstrual bleeding patterns among regularly menstruating women. American journal of epidemiology. 2012 Feb 20;175(6):536–45.

   Why am I spotting before my period on birth control?

   Spotting often occurs in the first several months of taking a new birth control pill. It may take time for the pills to regulate the menstrual cycle as the body needs to adjust to the new hormone levels. As a result, a person may still experience some irregular bleeding between periods initially.

   Is it normal to bleed a few days before your period on birth control?

   Breakthrough bleeding is a common concern among women using hormonal birth control. It's usually a small amount of spotting at a time when you're not expecting your period, though some women have heavier bleeding.

   Is it normal to spot 2 days before period?

   Spotting before your period is generally harmless. It may be an early sign of pregnancy or due to hormonal changes, implantation bleeding, polyps, or another health condition.

   Does spotting mean pregnancy while on birth control?

   Breakthrough bleeding on birth control is generally normal. If you are taking birth control pills for the first time, you may experience some spotting. Breakthrough bleeding may also occur if you switch to a different type of contraception. Some infections may also cause breakthrough bleeding.