Abnormal Periods vs. Spotting: Understanding the Difference
When it comes to your period, Dr. Kelly Morales and our team at Willow OB/GYN in San Antonio, Texas, know it’s always concerning whenever things don’t seem normal. One of the most common questions our patients ask is how to know if they’re spotting or experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding.
Spotting and abnormal periods aren’t the same, but there can be some overlap between the two. Keep reading to learn the facts about spotting, abnormal periods, and how to know which is which.
What is spotting?
When you have very light bleeding between your regular periods, it’s called spotting. It’s uterine bleeding that’s not caused by your period, and it can happen for many different reasons, including:
Hormonal changes, like shifts in the levels of estrogen or progesterone
Pregnancy, due to implantation of a fertilized egg or hormonal changes
Ovulation, when the egg is released from your ovary
Medications, like some hormonal birth control
Certain medical conditions (e.g., infections, uterine fibroids)
Stress can also trigger spotting and other abnormal uterine bleeding. The continued or frequent release of stress hormones affects the balance of all hormones in your body and can affect your cycle.
What are abnormal periods?
Periods are considered abnormal when the amount of bleeding, the duration of bleeding, or the regularity with which your cycle takes place changes or takes place outside the range of normal.
One of the reasons it’s challenging to tell the difference between spotting and abnormal periods is that spotting can be a symptom of abnormal periods. But abnormal periods also have other irregular symptoms, including:
A cycle shorter than 21 days
A cycle longer than 35 days
Not menstruating for over three months
Irregular periods (come unpredictably)
Periods that last longer than a week or less than 3 days
Bleeding after intercourse
Heavy bleeding (bleeding through feminine products or needing to use a combination of products at one time)
Frequently having large blood clots
Severe cramps during your period
Many different conditions can trigger abnormal periods and irregular uterine bleeding, including serious underlying conditions that require medical treatment, like sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), cervical polyps, gynecological cancers, and hormone issues.
These conditions can worsen if not treated, and may even become life-threatening. For this reason, it’s extremely important to talk to us at Willow OB/GYN if you’re experiencing any signs of abnormal menstruation.
Is there help for spotting or abnormal periods?
If you’re experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding, including spotting, heavy, or lighter-than-normal bleeding, schedule an exam with Dr. Morales for a diagnosis of any underlying issue and personalized treatment recommendations when required.
Dr. Morales reviews your symptoms and medical history, performs a physical exam, and orders any additional tests as needed to understand the underlying cause of your problematic bleeding. Some of the tests may include:
STD screening
Ultrasound
Pregnancy test
Blood work
Hysteroscopy
Biopsy
Based on her diagnosis, Dr. Morales creates a personalized treatment plan specifically for your needs. Sometimes, she treats spotting and minor symptoms associated with abnormal periods with lifestyle changes, hormonal birth control, hormone therapy, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Other times, she may recommend a minimally invasive therapy, like dilation and curettage (D&C) or endometrial ablation, to destroy the uterine lining and reset your periods. For some women, a robotic-assisted hysterectomy may be the best option.
Get to the bottom of your abnormal periods or spotting and get the treatment you need by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Morales at Willow OB/GYN in San Antonio, Texas, today.