Spotting Related Questions

Spotting generally occurs due many things which may or may not be a health risk. Many times stress will cause irregular bleeding. However there are many issues that could be more serious. Many women are affected by spotting and want to know the cause. To learn about the cause of spotting and available treatments, take a look below at the questions that have been answered by Experts.

Can a cyst cause pain and spotting after a period in a women aged 39?

Generally, a cyst will cause pain but usually not spotting. In many cases, when a woman has spotting between normal periods, the cause is typically low levels of hormones which don't allow the uterus to completely slough off the lining built up from the previous period. At the age of 39, it would be more possible for a woman to experience this dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Generally the spotting would consist of brownish discharge. Cysts, on the other hand, typically grow with large amounts of estrogen in the body.

At this stage, it is advisable to get an ultrasound to check for uterine fibroids, cysts or any abnormal thickening. Blood tests to check hormone levels can also be performed. Another cause, although unlikely, could be endometriosis.

What does spotting after menopause mean?

When a woman experiences spotting after menopause, the cause is usually the thinning of the uterine walls due to a lack of estrogen. However, post menopausal bleeding should be carefully checked to rule out the possibility of uterine cancer. Vaginal ultrasounds are usually performed to detect any abnormalities by measuring the thickness of the uterine lining.

If the lining is thin, usually the cause of the spotting is due to a lack of estrogen. If the uterine lining is thick (over 4mm) the risk of pre-cancer or cancer jumps 10%. At this stage, a biopsy may need to be taken to test for possible cancer. Other possibilities could be a uterine polyp which can again be detected on an ultrasound or a prolapse that can be diagnosed with a doctor’s exam.

Can changing birth control cause spotting and pain?

Case details: Began after using the morning-after pill.

In many cases, when a woman changes birth control pills, some spotting may occur. Typically, most women’s menstrual cycles are back on track within three months.

Certain women choose to use Mirena IUD which is another form of birth control. This has a hormone coating that usually thins the uterine wall leading to lighter, shorter periods or, sometimes, none at all. The Mirena is inserted by a doctor and remains in the uterus for five years. It is also a device that can be removed whenever the woman wants and it is noticed that generally, a woman's fertility returns faster after using Mirena than any other birth control.

Can spotting after a period be an indication of pregnancy?

Case studies: Took Plan B after unprotected sex.

Generally, the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. However, stress can also cause a missed or late period. While implantation bleeding can lead to spotting, in this case, it seems like the Plan B emergency contraceptive pill may have caused the spotting as it leads to irregular bleeding many a time.

Spotting between normal periods could be due to a number of reasons and a woman may have several questions and concerns at this time. In this situation, it is advisable to diagnose the issue early on before the problem worsens. If you have any questions or concerns regarding spotting, ask an Expert for medical clarity and suggestions to possible solutions based on your case history.