Spotting between periods how much

Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor. Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:. You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home. Severe vaginal bleeding means that you are soaking 1 or 2 pads or tampons in 1 or 2 hours, unless that is normal for you.

For most women, passing clots of blood from the vagina and soaking through their usual pads or tampons every hour for 2 or more hours is not normal and is considered severe. If you are pregnant : You may have a gush of blood or pass a clot, but if the bleeding stops, it is not considered severe. Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause changes in vaginal bleeding. A few examples are:. Based on your answers, you may need care right away.

The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.

Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. There is no home treatment for abnormal vaginal bleeding. With some types of vaginal bleeding, it may be okay to wait to see if the bleeding stops on its own.

If the bleeding continues or gets worse, see your doctor to find out the reason for the bleeding. If you are using tampons for abnormal vaginal bleeding, be sure to change them often, and do not leave one in place when the bleeding has stopped. A tampon left in the vagina may put you at risk for toxic shock syndrome TSS. TSS is a rare but life-threatening illness that develops suddenly after a bacterial infection rapidly affects several different organ systems.

If you are age 40 or older, you may be experiencing perimenopause. For more information, see the topic Menopause and Perimenopause. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. Blahd Jr.

Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.

Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding. Topic Overview Many women experience abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods sometime in their lives. Vaginal bleeding is considered to be abnormal if it occurs: When you are not expecting your menstrual period.

When your menstrual flow is lighter or heavier than what is normal for you. At a time in life when it is not expected, such as before age 9, when you are pregnant, or after menopause. Causes of abnormal bleeding Abnormal vaginal bleeding has many possible causes. Because bleeding can mean a problem with pregnancy, possible pregnancy should always be considered in a woman of childbearing age.

Spotting to minimal bleeding may be normal. But any bleeding during pregnancy needs to be evaluated by your doctor. Heavy vaginal bleeding or bleeding that occurs before 12 weeks may mean a serious problem, including an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Heavy vaginal bleeding or bleeding that occurs after 12 weeks also may mean a serious problem, such as placenta previa. Ovulation can cause mid-cycle bleeding. Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS is a hormone imbalance that interferes with normal ovulation and can cause abnormal bleeding.

Medicines , such as birth control pills, sometimes cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. You may have minor bleeding between periods during the first few months if you have recently started using birth control pills. Many infections can be successfully treated with the right therapies. Uterine fibroids are growths on the uterus. In addition to spotting between periods, they can cause symptoms, such as:.

Fibroids are also typically benign and may shrink on their own. Endometriosis happens when endometrium-like tissue grows outside the uterus in areas like the ovaries, abdomen, and bowel.

This condition can cause bleeding or spotting between periods, as well as other symptoms. About 1 out of every 10 women in the United States is believed to have endometriosis, but many cases go undiagnosed.

Irregular bleeding between periods is sometimes a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS. Stress can cause all kinds of changes in your body , including fluctuations in your menstrual cycle. Some women may experience vaginal spotting due to high levels of physical or emotional stress. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners, thyroid medications, and hormonal drugs, can cause vaginal bleeding between your periods. Sometimes, an underactive thyroid can cause you to spot after your period ends.

Other signs of an underactive thyroid hypothyroidism include:. Certain cancers can cause abnormal bleeding, spotting, or other forms of vaginal discharge. These may include:. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes , liver disease, kidney disease , and bleeding disorders, may cause spotting between your periods.

Spotting is different than the bleeding you experience when you have your period. Typically, spotting:. Pregnancy tests measure the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin hCG in your urine. You should also see your doctor if your period is over a week late and you have a negative pregnancy test. Your doctor can run tests to determine if an underlying condition is responsible for your missed period.

You should see your doctor if you have unexplained spotting between your periods. Although it may be nothing to worry about or go away on its own, it could also be a sign of something more serious.

Try to record exactly when your spotting occurs and any other symptoms you have so you can share this information with your doctor. Ohio State is filling training gaps for Ohio health care providers with two projects designed by experts in maternal-fetal medicine and emergency medicine. Stroke is not just a man's disease. Know the indicators and risk factors for women.

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Bleeding or spotting between regular monthly periods can be alarming. I often get questions about spotting between periods from my patients. Normal menstrual bleeding lasts about five to seven days. While your period usually occurs an average of every 28 days, anywhere from 21 to 35 days between periods is considered normal.

Often, a clinician will consider your age when evaluating the possible reasons for bleeding. Many young women have irregular bleeding for normal reasons, and breakthrough bleeding during the middle of a menstrual cycle is not uncommon.

If you notice spotting between your normal cycle times, contact your doctor for an evaluation. Other possible causes for spotting are bleeding disorders, pregnancy, cigarette smoking, infection such as those sexually transmitted or trauma.

Rarely, bleeding between periods is due to cancer of the female genitalia or reproductive system. You can make a few notes in a calendar on your phone or in a planner.