Is it normal to be having bleeding between periods?

Is it normal to be having bleeding between periods?

im 14, almost 15, and i just started my period about 5 months ago, and have been fairly normal since. then just 2 weeks ago, while in between periods, i went to the bathroom and i whiped up a little blood, but when i whiped again, there was none (sorry for the tmi). after a few days there was still none, so i just ignored it and suspected that it was normal. then about 2 weeks later, i was starting to feel a few cramps so i went to the bathroom and the same thing happened to me again! after another few days, nothing happened, just like the first time. this is the first time that anything like this has ever happened to me, and im starting to worry that this is not normal. should i be concerned??? 

oh! btw, i havent been under very much stress lately. at first i had thought that that could have something to do with it, but life has been strangely less stressful lately..... so that rules out that reason. 

Is it normal to be having bleeding between periods?

Causes of in between period bleeding: 

•Uterine fibroids or cervical or uterine polyps 

•Changes in hormone levels 

•Inflammation or infection of the cervix (cervicitis) 

•Injury or disease of the vaginal opening (caused by intercourse, infection, polyp, genital warts, ulcer, or varicose veins) 

•IUD use (may cause occasional spotting) 

•Ectopic pregnancy 

•Miscarriage 

•Other pregnancy complications 

•Vaginal dryness due to lack of estrogen after menopause 

•Stress 

•Stopping and starting birth control pills or estrogens 

•Underactive thyroid (low thyroid function) 

•Use of blood thinners (anticoagulants) 

•Cancer or precancer of the cervix, uterus, or (very rarely) fallopian tube 

•Cervical or endometrial biopsy or other procedures 

Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods — what most of us call spotting — is a common problem. Almost every woman will experience it at some point in her life. 

In most cases, spotting before your period is no cause for concern. However, in some situations, it could signal a reproductive health problem or even a life-threatening disease 

If you experience spot bleeding before your period or in the middle of your cycle, there’s no reason to be overly worried. “A little bit of bleeding between menstrual periods or occasional spotting is fairly normal,” says Autry. Do make sure the bleeding is coming from the vagina and not from the rectum or from your urine — use a tampon to find out. 

About 10 percent of menstruating women regularly spot at the time of ovulation due to a temporary drop in estrogen at the time the ovary releases an egg. 

Often, women will get vaginal discharge tinged with a little blood. You may also feel a slight pain or cramp. The clue to this harmless kind of spotting is that it happens every month about 10 to 14 days after your menstrual period ends — or as early as two weeks before your period. A little spotting may also be a sign of getting your period (you know your body best, so you know whether this is true). 

What to Do About Spotting Between Periods 

Even if your vaginal blood spotting doesn’t signal a health problem, there’s no reason to put up with the inconvenience of spotting before your period. Spotting during one cycle isn’t really a cause for alarm, but “if the spotting becomes the ‘new you,’ I recommend you see your medical provider,” says Weiss. 

With your doctor’s help, you can prevent vaginal bleeding between your menstrual periods or reduce the risk of spotting by: 

Taking birth control pills as prescribed. Skipping pills is a common cause of spotting. Stopping and restarting the pill may also cause bleeding between your menstrual periods. Try to take your pill at around the same time every day to reduce the chance of spotting, recommends Autry. 

Limiting your intake of aspirin. Because aspirin can cause bleeding, it should be avoided if spotting is a problem. “Aspirin is a blood thinner, which could exacerbate bleeding between menstrual periods,” says Autry. 

Getting regular pap smears. This screening for cervical cancer can catch the disease before you get symptomatic bleeding. Cervical cancer is 100 percent curable if caught in its early stages. An annual pap smear can detect any abnormal cells in the cancer’s earliest, treatable stage. 

Maintaining a healthy weight. This will reduce your risk of uterine cancer. “Obesity is a strong risk factor for uterine cancer,” says Autry. Because uterine cancer is most common in post-menopausal women, contact your doctor immediately if you have any spotting after menopause. 

Switching birth control methods. Spotting is common in women who use intrauterine devices (IUDs). Usually, the bleeding isn’t harmful, but switching to a different form of birth control can end the inconvenience of spotting. 

Managing stress. Emotional stress can cause a woman’s menstrual cycle to get out of whack, which can cause spotting or irregular periods. Try to keep stress under control with relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, visualization, and aerobic exercise.