Why am I spotting before, after, and in between my period? – Cora

Should you worry?

Don’t worry until it’s time to worry. Basically, if you can link your spotting to stress, birth control, the morning-after pill, or your first period, you’re in the clear. If you think you have an STI, cervical cancer, are pregnant, or have uterine fibroids, it could be time to schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Overall, spotting is normal and nothing to freak out about. It’s not something you can (or need to) try and stop. Just let your uterus do its thing. On that note, if you are spotting for more than a week at a time, have any pain or discomfort during spotting, or just have a feeling that something isn’t right – trust your gut instinct and head to your gynecologist.

One final point on spotting: don’t use a tampon (even a low-absorbency one) to control spotting. This can greatly increase your risks of getting Toxic Shock Syndrome, since spotting doesn’t produce nearly enough moisture to make using a tampon safe. Stick with a pantyliner and you’ll be just fine.

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Janet Brito.