Women have many physiological phenomena going on time and again. In many cases, the phenomena are somehow similar to each other such that the scenario might be pretty confusing. One common example is that of period and spotting. These two are often taken to be the same as both are linked with vaginal bleeding. But are they the same? Well, the answer is NO! Just because both include vaginal bleeding, period and spotting aren’t the same things. If you’re a woman past the mid-teenage, you have most probably experienced vaginal bleeding. Sometimes you’re pretty clear that it’s your period, but you can’t exactly identify it as menstruation in some cases. That might be spotting! So, wanna know what is spotting and how is it different from the period? Well, we’ve got your back as this article will detailly explain the two phenomena and their difference:
What is Period or Menstruation?
The menstrual cycle is the natural series of hormonal changes and structural changes of the uterus and ovaries that make pregnancy possible. The menstrual cycle lasts 28 days on average but can vary from woman to woman. The last 4-6 days of the menstrual cycle characterized by vaginal bleeding is known as menstruation or period, as we say commonly. Menstruation can last anywhere from 4-6 days, the vaginal bleeding during those periods is expected and completely healthy. It’s always healthy to have a period, what’s unhealthy is experiencing fluctuation in menstruation. So, if you always get your period on time, know that your reproductive health is doing fine. Periods are annoying but hey, that’s what your body needs!
How to Know If It's Your Period?
- Continuous bleeding from 4 to 6 days - Light to heavy bleeding is surely experienced. In some cases, the period can stop at 3 days whereas it can be as long as 7 days in some women. The menstrual blood is usually red in color.
- Abdominal Cramps- Menstrual cramps are a common issue tolerated by women. The majority of women experience abdominal cramps. But if your periods pass by without cramps, you’re one lucky girl!
- Acne- Oh! You hate it, don’t you? But, menstruation without the pimple outburst is rare.
- Back Pain- The back of your body surely hurts during menstruation. The pain is usually experienced in the lower back.
- Mood Swings- You know your mood is swinging as fast as the swing you played in childhood. You keep wondering about your behaviors! And BAM! There’s your period and you know why!
- Fatigue- Your body feels tired and bloated than usual. You feel your energy is drained and you pretty much just wanna lie down for the rest of the day!
Besides, food cravings, headaches, and sore breasts are other common symptoms of menstruation.
What is Spotting?
Spotting has one thing in common with menstruation.- vaginal bleeding! Spotting is the light vaginal bleeding experienced outside your period days. Spotting involves a slight amount of bleeding and doesn’t last long like menstruation. While menstruation requires period products like tampons and sanitary pads, you can get past spotting using panty liners. You even don’t know you’re spotting in many cases, so pretty much the products don’t come in use. Spotting can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days. You can simply understand spotting as a mini-menstruation. But hey! Spotting can occur for wholly different reasons. No worries, we’ll talk about that too!
How to Know if It’s Spotting?
- Occurs outside menstrual days: If you’re having your period and have very light bleeding, you can’t name it spotting. Because spotting doesn’t occur while menstruating. It can be spotted anywhere between two menstruation.
- Light Bleeding: The bleeding is pretty light, you won’t usually feel it. You may know there’s bleeding when you see stains on your underwear or while using toilet paper.
- Irregular Time Interval: You know your period is due next month but spotting doesn’t occur at fixed time intervals. You can’t predict spotting like menstruation. You may get it after a year or the next day, you never know!
- A Different Colour: The color of the blood during spotting doesn’t match that of period blood. The color can be light unusual red or brown. The spotting can have an odd smell too!
Symptoms Associated with Spotting
Spotting isn’t usually associated with the symptoms. But if the spotting is due to the medical conditions, the following symptoms may be experienced:
- Abdominal Pain
- Heavy bleeding during the menstrual period
- Irregular periods
- Abdominal pain
- Burning or pain during urination and sexual intercourse
- Vaginal discharge, redness, or itching
If spotting occurs with these symptoms, one must immediately seek medical help. It might be the result of some medical problems.
What Causes Spotting?
The causes of spotting can vary from person to person depending upon the changes in lifestyle or other conditions. Some causes won’t be much of a deal but some may require urgent medical attention. Check out these common causes of spotting:
- Implantation: Implantation is usually followed by spotting. The majority of women experience spotting when the implantation of the embryo takes place in the uterus. Yes! You guessed it right, spotting can indicate pregnancy too!
- Birth Controls: Spotting can occur when you first use birth control pills or switch between birth control methods. Continuous use of hormonal birth control can also be the reason behind spotting.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS): It’s not that you have PCOS just because there’s spotting. But, if you experience irregular periods along with spotting and other symptoms, PCOS may be the cause too. So, better get checked ASAP!
- Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs)- STIs can also cause spotting as an initial symptom of the infection. The spotting can be frequent and irregular.
- Miscarriage or Ectopic Pregnancy: Spotting in the implantation phase is common but if spotting occurs during pregnancy, it can indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy too!
- Injuries: Injuries on the vagina, cervix, or uterus can cause spotting too! Spotting due to such reasons is accompanied by abdominal pain.
Period and spotting are often misunderstood. While they might show some similar signs, they’re different and their causes are diverse too. So, it’s highly essential to know the difference between these two so that you know what your body is going through. Never delay seeking medical help if required!