Spotting Before Your Period: What Does it Mean?
Your period is not due for at least another week but you have found a little blood or pink or brown discharge in your panties that isn’t followed by normal flow bleeding. This is spotting. What does it mean? Well, it could mean absolutely nothing — or it could mean everything: you might be pregnant!
If you had sex while you were ovulating (that is when your egg was released from your ovaries about 10 days after your period ended and about 2 weeks before your next period is due) then spotting could be a sign that you are pregnant. Spotting sometimes occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself into the wall of your uterus. Your uterus is lined with nourishing blood for the growing baby and some of this blood can be expelled at implantation. Implantation is a necessary step in pregnancy and allows mom’s body to start nourishing the growing baby.
However, not all pregnant women experience spotting, and in fact few do. So you may be pregnant but experience no spotting. Spotting also is not always a sign of pregnancy, so you may also be spotting and NOT be pregnant. If you experience spotting and your period does not follow a week or so later, of if you’re concerned about what it means, it’s time to see a doctor to find out if you could be pregnant. Spotting could mean nothing and could be nothing to worry about, just a minor blip in your menstrual cycle. If you’re worried about an unplanned pregnancy and you experience spotting, your period may soon follow. If you’re hoping that you’re pregnant and you experience spotting and then no period a week after, you might be pregnant. As always, if you have any concerns about your menstrual cycle or any other aspect of your body’s normal functioning, it is best to consult your doctor.
For weekly, informative and quick info, subscribe to our hip newsletter. For further information and for links to our factual sources for this article, read our Signs of Implantation and Implantation Pain articles. You might also check the top reasons for a late period.
-Danica Longair
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[...] most common—but still rare—sign of implantation is spotting a week before you expect your period to occur. Essentially, a very small amount of blood will [...]
Pingback by Signs of Implantation: When Some Say Pregnancy Begins | UrbanMommies — August 11, 2009 @ 5:04 pm
I am 40 years old and I have been spotting before my period for a few years now. My doctor said it was a sign I was in peri-menopause. I take prometrium and it helps.
Comment by Beckie — August 23, 2009 @ 8:18 am
[...] For more information, see our articles on Signs of Implantation and Spotting Before Your Period. [...]
Pingback by Implantation Pain: Is it Normal? | UrbanMommies — August 26, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
I had spotting this month which is not common for me. then my period came way way early. it seems like a normal period. I’m 36 and ttc. Do you know what might be going on? Thanks
Comment by april — September 10, 2009 @ 6:02 pm
do you get spotting before your period? i got spotting but i havent gotten my period.This concerns me
Comment by Karen — September 13, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
Hi i am trying to concieve and i was spotting for about 4 days and got my period a week later is there any change i could be pregnant? if not how can i help my chances, ive been trying for 2 years!! thank you
Comment by danielle — September 14, 2009 @ 8:43 pm
(to karen) spotting happens sometimes a week b4 ur period if you dont get it within a week take a pregnancy test!!!!
Comment by danielle — September 14, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
I’m going through something similar…had spotting only a week and a half after my period ended (so about two and a half weeks after my period began) and now I can’t tell if I’m still spotting but it’s heavier, or if I’m having a super light period. We do have unprotected sex and we had it around ovulation and I’m usually very regular with my cycle.
Comment by Alison — September 16, 2009 @ 9:17 am
hi, im 15yrs old and i’m really concerned that i might be pregnant. I have a regular period but this month was weird, a week before my period i was spotting brown blood and then i started my period but my period is really light. and like every morning i bleed pink. and then later on that day i stop. whats happening?
Comment by Stephanie Uribe — September 17, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
hi. im 19 years old..i got my period on the 26th of august, but that month it was about 2 weeks late and i took a pt and it was neg.. then i ovulated it said on the 9th of sept. but on the 14th, i got what looked like a normal period. lasted about 4 days. i did have unprotected sex with ejaculation inside me the 10th thru the 14th. could i be pregnant? im not worried or excited, just want to know. i would honestly like to be pregnant. im done with cosmotolgy school. have a fiancee. we have been trying. im just really confused about my period lately..one month its 2 weeks late. so i expect it on the 26th of this month but it comes right around my ovulation time. if i even ovulated i guess. :/ what should i think?
Comment by ashley — September 22, 2009 @ 10:18 am
Im having the same problem!!!!!
I used the ovulation calendar and it said i ovulated on the 15th – 20th.
I figured it was safe to have sex the next day cause i wasnt ovulating.
On sept 1st – 3rd i had my period.
On the 4th i decided to have sex and the condom broke.
I know i cant get pregnant unless im ovulating but last week i noticed i been having light pink bleeding which only lasted 1 day.
I have a week and 1 day to get my period and the light pink bleeding is back and jus wanted to know if it was implantation bleeding? Or could it be something else?
Plz help should i wait to see if i miss my period or go to the doctor now?
Comment by Kesha Johnson — September 22, 2009 @ 11:01 pm
Uhm Im 15 and Ive been getting this for a little while , I dont know why . It has been months since Ive had sex without a condom , wouldn’t I be showing now if I was pregnant ?
Comment by Sasha — September 26, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
my husband and i have been trying to get pregnant. we had sex when i was ovulating on the 14th. now my period is 7 days early. its never been that early and usually its late. what could that mean?
Comment by amanda — September 30, 2009 @ 8:05 am
its also a brownish red color
Comment by amanda — September 30, 2009 @ 11:06 am
its light but its not light enough to be spotting.
Comment by amanda — September 30, 2009 @ 11:07 am
Hi, my name is Courtney. I’m 15 years old, and I have been having unprotected sex almost every week this month of October. On Monday 5th or Sunday the 4th, and experienced pink spotting for only one day. I have never had it before. My period is due in a week. I took 3 pregnancy tests the week before I started spotting. They all came up negative. This week on Tuesday and Thursday, I took a pregnancy test, and they both came up negative. I’ve heard that I may not be pregnant, and my cervix might just be irritated. I’m not sure what is going on. Is it still to early to be taking a pregnancy test?
Comment by Courtney — October 8, 2009 @ 7:05 am
**I’ve also been having some unprotected sex in september to.
Comment by Courtney — October 8, 2009 @ 7:06 am
I have a question, my last period was on sept 21st. On October 6th and 7th i was experiencin some light spotting (pink and brown discharge) which i have never had before. I still have not gotten my period, could I be pregnant?
Comment by Sarah — October 11, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
I wondered the same exact thing whenever I was spotting. It was the very first time I ever had it. I had spotting 6 days before my period was supposed to begin, but it turned out that I got it on that Saturday. Spotting is normal sometimes before you get your period when you have unprotected sex. That, or your cervix might be irritated or you might even have a bladder infection. It all depends. So the best thing to do is wait…But whether your pregnant or not it all revolves around how your period is and when. Make sure you don’t jump to conclusions till you know exactly when its supposed to start, and if you know for sure you missed it. When is your next expect period?
Comment by Courtney — October 13, 2009 @ 7:11 am
I have had my last period Oct. 6, 09 (3 days late) and started spotting for three days Oct. 21-23, 09. The first day was pinkish mucus, 2nd day spotting in my panties, 3rd day brownish to black mucus. I have not had my period as yet, it is due to come Nov. 3rd. I have had a tubal reversal in Feb. 09 after having three children (15,16 & 17).. am I crazy… some may say yes.. I am mainly doing this for my fiance’ who has no kids (3 kids are for my ex-husband). I will take a home pregnancy test tomorrow morning and a hcg blood test on Monday (already scheduled) I’ll let you all know who I make out… pray for me that I am withchild….!!!!
Comment by Ashlyn — October 29, 2009 @ 6:51 pm
Congratulations Ashlyn! I’ve been trying to for 2 months now. I’m pretty mature for my age, and I have a job and a few extra bucks in my paycheck. So I am stable to care for a child. But the problem is, I haven’t gotten pregnant yet. I need all of your guy’s thoughts and prayers!
Comment by Courtney — November 2, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
I had unprotected sex w/ejaculation 3x on nov 1. I’m due for my period on nov 13. I’ve been tracking my periods and the tracker has been fairly accurate. this time I’ve had spotting from the 5th-7th and minor cramps. I took 1 test and it told me to see pamphlet! so it was a dud! my boyfriend and I are anxiously awaiting the news. I’ve never spotted, and my periods are usually extremely heavy! I’m thinking this might be an implantation thing going on!
Comment by JadaLynn — November 7, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me out, I had light spotting about 5-6 days after my last period, the spotting lasted about 3 days, well now i’m supposed to start my period in about a week and have just started spotting again today and having minor cramping. Any ideas what this may be?? before i start getting super stressed out, I keep finding a lot of forums saying pregnancy and/or implantation bleeding. I’m just wondering if anyone has any ideas what this may be. I am on the pill but my bf and i have had unprotected sex a couple times in the past month.
Comment by Lucy — November 8, 2009 @ 2:00 pm
Hello my name is katiera and im 15 in half and ive been missing my period before know if im pregnet of not… and ive have been having morning sickness all 1 weeks so i need some help
Comment by katiera brown — February 6, 2010 @ 3:01 pm
Hi Katiera, Sorry we haven’t responded until now. Do you have any updates?
Comment by Jill — February 11, 2010 @ 5:28 pm
hi.im 24 and due on 2day,but ive been spotting for about 6days…sometimes pink,brown but now it looks a bit orange/pink!! done a few tests, latest one being today..all neg. i have a healthy 3yr old,but have lost 4 pregnancys since!! really need to know whats happening!! never usually have spotting and usually on time!!
Comment by melissa — March 4, 2010 @ 1:03 pm
I’m 15 and I finished my period 4th march and after I finished my period I have had pains since and this morning I had little blots of blood in me knickers and through the day it started too get more blood. What could it mean ? “/ I did think it was my period again but I ain’t long finished it :S x
Comment by Hollie — March 10, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
well my friend has that and she not having sex or neither prego so whats happening???
im reals concerned about her.
Comment by angie — March 15, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
Hey ive bin spotting since saturday its not enuff to wear anyfink.ive been having unprotected sex with my bf for the past couple of months now.i should hav my period around the 13 of this month im just gettin a little bit worrid can anybody help
Comment by trisha — May 3, 2010 @ 4:40 am
hi my name is lexa im 20 years old and between april 7th and the 11th i had unprotected sex with my fiance. yesterday may 6th around 11pm i noticed some very light pinky brown colouring you could barely notice it. today may 7th i noticed that the colour got a little bit brighter (more visible) but its more of a light brown colour i have never experienced this before my period is messed up because i was in the hospital from march 26th to april 12th and they had me pumped full of drugs (sedatives anti-seisure medication,anti depressants, meds for my blood pressure they also gave me a drug to have short term memory loss because i was in a medically induced coma) so im not sure whats going on i could possibly be pregnant but with everything thats happened and with all the drugs that were in my system who knows what it could be…!
Comment by lexa chocolate — May 7, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
[...] This can happens when sperm meets egg, about 6-12 days after conception, and may produce a small spot of blood on a tissue. 2. You feel hot. And it’s wintertime. 3. You get gas. Stinky gas. 4. There are [...]
Pingback by Very Early Pregnancy Signs | UrbanMommies — July 19, 2010 @ 9:39 pm
Hi Im 20 years old and I got off my last period on the 28th of last month and I was suppose to start my next period on the 24th of this month and on the 21st I think I was starting my period because I saw some blood where it looked like i was about to start and today is the 22nd and it barely looks like im on it and it looks like im almosr done with it.
Comment by Tiffany — July 22, 2010 @ 5:58 pm
Im 17 years old and recently had a d&c about 6 weeks ago now due to losing my baby at 4 months, i blead for couple days after d&c as normal and had nothing till 2 days ago when i found spot of blood in my pants. I have no idea when my periods are due because of the d&c i had on 10th july, but i am worried i could be pregnant again as my bf and have been having unprotected sex again? I have heard that finding spot of blood in pants could be a sign of pregncy, i have also had extremely itchy nipples every night for past 3 nights, starting day of spotting. Any advice you.can.give me id really appreciate it i need help??
Comment by amy — August 20, 2010 @ 3:58 am