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If you're not trying to get pregnant, and are worried that you might be, then seeing blood in your underwear can feel somewhat reassuring. Bleeding means you have your period, which means you're not pregnant, right? Not necessarily, because there's always a chance that you're experiencing implantation bleeding, which means the exact opposite: pregnancy. That's why anyone trying to conceive might actually feel a surge of hopefulness at the sight of a little blood. When a fertilized egg is in the process of attaching to the uterine lining, sometimes it can cause light bleeding, also known as "implantation bleeding," says Raquel B. Dardik, MD, an Ob/Gyn at NYU Langone Medical Center. During implantation, it's almost as if the embryo is "trying to burrow into the uterus," so it's normal to have some spotting, Carolyn Alexander, MD of the Southern California Reproductive Center told Refinery29 last year. It's easy, at first, to confuse implantation bleeding with your period. Hey, hoping to be pregnant and hoping to NOT be pregnant can both be pretty intense situations. Rather than losing it over a little blood, learn to spot the difference between the two, so you'll know right off the bat what you're dealing with. In general, implantation bleeding tends to be spotty and light, not necessarily flowing like a period, Dr. Dardik says. The blood itself is usually pink to light brown, she says. Some people say that it kind of looks like rust, and doesn't look like their typical period blood. But implantation bleeding can happen near the time that you get your period, which causes some people to think it's just an early flow, Dr. Dardik says. Often, the timing can actually indicate whether you have implantation bleeding or your period. A fertilized egg typically implants about 10 days after ovulation, Dr. Dardik says. "So, on a 28-day cycle, you would ovulate on day 14, implant on day 24, and skip your period on day 28," she says. That is, it could be implantation bleeding if it's happening a few days before you expect to get your period. "This assumes you are very regular," she says. "If you have cycles that tend to vary in length, even by a few days, it may seem to happen when you anticipate your period." So you can see why this could get confusing. Implantation bleeding can last a few hours or a few days, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The bleeding will go away on its own, and you don't really have to do anything when it happens — although it might be a good time to take a look at your calendar or pill pack and figure out where you are in your cycle, to see if it might just be an early period. Really, the only way to know whether you are pregnant or not is to take a test. Of course, you'll have to wait a few days for an accurate read. After a fertilized egg implants, the placenta forms and produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is what pregnancy tests are looking for, according to the Mayo Clinic. HCG enters the bloodstream first and then moves into urine, so that's why you pee on a pregnancy test. For an ASAP answer as to what's going on, head to your doctor for a blood pregnancy test. Otherwise, wait a few days until you expect your period to arrive and, if it doesn't, test then. If you are trying to get pregnant, paying attention to symptoms like implantation bleeding can later help you and your Ob figure out exactly how far along you are (romantically keeping tabs on the dates you've had sex helps with this, too). If you already know you are pregnant, and are experiencing light bleeding, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. Some spotting early in pregnancy is usually not a big deal, and happens to 15 to 20% of people during the first trimester, according to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology. But heavier bleeding, or bleeding later in pregnancy can be a sign of something more serious. Welcome to Mothership: Parenting stories you actually want to read, whether you're thinking about kids or not, from egg-freezing to taking home baby and beyond. Because motherhood is a big if — not when — and it's time we talked about it that way. You may experience spotting instead of a period for a number of reasons, including pregnancy, menopause, ovulation, stress, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Other medical conditions, trauma, smoking, and taking birth control pills can also cause spotting. Spotting is not like menstrual flow. It is abnormal vaginal bleeding that occurs outside of or instead of your period. It's considerably lighter, usually dark brown, red, or pink, and lasts up to a few days. You may notice it on your underwear or when you wipe. Read on to learn more about spotting vs. your period. Verywell / Jessica Olah What Causes Spotting Instead of Period?Some causes of spotting are related to the body's hormonal changes, while others are medical conditions or external factors. Depending on the cause, the blood may come from places other than the uterine
lining that sheds during your period. Natural Changes in the BodySpotting can occur instead of a typical period bleed. This is especially true at the very beginning or end of your period, when bleeding is just starting or tapering off. It can also occur if your periods are irregular. Other possible causes related to natural changes in the body include:
Medical ConditionsSpotting can be a sign of pregnancy, but also various medical conditions that warrant investigation and may need treatment.
External FactorsThere are also outside factors that cause spotting outside or instead of a period:
If you feel concerned or it seems unusual, painful, or accompanied by discharge, call your healthcare provider. Menstrual Cycle PhasesYour menstrual cycle is composed of several phases, though the length of a person's menstrual cycles varies from person to person. Different experts may divide it into two, three, or four phases. Here's a look at the general division of the cycle into four phases:
If the egg is not fertilized, your hormone levels drop, you have your period, and a new cycle begins. What may
appear to be spotting during your menstrual cycle is considered normal, especially at the beginning and end of your period. Spotting vs. Discharge vs. Regular CycleIt can be difficult to know if you are experiencing spotting, discharge, or bleeding as part of your regular menstrual cycle. But there are some signs to indicate what is occurring. Spotting is light, vaginal bleeding. It can be either red, light brown, or a dark brown. There are several types of vaginal discharge, including:
Red discharge or bleeding is generally part of your menstrual cycle. If it is very heavy or comes at an unusual time, there may be a medical reason for it. Contact your healthcare provider if your period seems out of the ordinary or particularly painful. Know Your Menstrual CycleYour period is such a regular part of life during the reproductive years that it can be easy to not pay full attention. However, it's helpful to know your cycle so that you know when something is off. Mark the first day or your period on a calendar and do that every month for six months to get an understanding of your cycle. Note its regularity, light days, heavy days, and any spotting. When something changes, you'll be more aware of it and can contact a healthcare provider as advisable. When to See a Healthcare ProviderAlthough most people with menstrual cycles spot at some point in their lives, there are instances when you should see your healthcare provider about spotting. Ask yourself these questions, and if the answer to any of them is yes, make an appointment to see your healthcare professional:
In general, anything out of the ordinary with your vaginal spotting or bleeding means it's worth contacting your healthcare provider. SummaryThere are many reasons why you may be spotting when you are not having your period. Most likely, it may be a part of the beginning or end of your period. For people who menstruate, spotting can be a normal part of the reproductive years. However, there are times when it might be an indication of something more serious. Understanding when spotting is not typical and paying attention to your own cycle can help identify when it's time to contact a healthcare provider. A Word From VerywellIf you are spotting when it's not your period, don't panic. But you also shouldn't ignore it. Your healthcare provider can help you figure out if it needs to be treated or not. Even though spotting and discharge can be perfectly normal, it's always best to reach out if something seems off. Frequently Asked Questions
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Nancy LeBrun Thanks for your feedback! Why do I have brownish discharge but no period?Is it normal to get brown discharge instead of your period? Yes! This is normal. Sometimes months your uterus has less tissue to clear than others - when this happens, you'll experience brown discharge instead of a full period.
Why have I been spotting Brown for a week?Brown spotting is often just sign of ovulation or your actual period starting. This is totally normal and nothing to be concerned about.
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