Spotting occurs during the time of a regular period or between regular periods. In most cases, it is not a dangerous problem. But still, many women worry when they have spotting but no period. Before becoming worried that you might have some kind of disease or might be pregnant, you need to pay attention to your level of stress. Stress can cause hormonal imbalances that can lead to menstrual irregularities like that. But if it is persistent, you should have it checked out.

What Causes Spotting but No Period?

You'd better know the various causes of the problem and should be prepared to control the underlying condition.

1.   Pregnancy

It can be a normal pregnancy or a pregnancy with problems. Implantion bleeding happens about 10 days after conception, sometimes around the time of your period. You'll notice pink or brown spots on your underwear. Mild spotting in early pregnancy is a normal phenomenon, but, if the following occurs, you'd better seek your doctor's advice.

• ŸBleeding heavily from the uterus in the first or second month of your pregnancy can mean you are having a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
• ŸIf bleeding occurs in the second trimester, there can be an issue with the placenta lying too low in the uterus or it may be bleeding from the edges of the placenta.
• ŸYou can also have spotting during breastfeeding, which can mean that your fertility is returning.

2.   Ovulation

Ovulation happens when the egg is released from the follicle in the ovary. It occurs between seven and twenty-two days after the first day of your menstrual period. There may be spotting that occurs during this time, which is usually in the middle of the cycle.

3.   Anxiety and Stress

Like mentioned in the very beginning, if you happen to be under a great deal of emotional anxiety or stress, you can have spotting but no period and can suffer from irregular menstrual periods.

4.   Medications

Some medications can contribute to having spotting. Birth control pills can cause this, especially in the first few months of taking the pill. If you have been taking the pill for a while, there can be bleeding, especially if you skip take a pill in the cycle.

5.   Health Problems

Certain health problems can contribute to spotting at various times during the cycle. Here are some health conditions you should know about:

• There can be sexually transmitted diseases. Bleeding can come from the uterus, vagina, fallopian tubes, cervix, or the ovaries. Spotting can occur after intercourse or after you use a douching product.
• If you have pelvic inflammatory disease or PID, you can have abnormal bleeding or spotting because of inflammation and infection of the reproductive organs, including the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and ovaries.
• Uterine fibroids or myomas can result in bleeding or spotting. These are benign tumors that can grow within the lining of the inner part of the uterus. Bleeding can occur between your periods or you can have spotting but no period.
• You can have spotting from polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. This happens because there is an imbalance of the hormones that make normal ovulation difficult to occur.
• You can have an IUD (intrauterine device), which irritates the lining of the uterus. This can cause spotting at various times of the cycle or a difficulty with bleeding during the period.
• Vaginal or uterine cancer can result in spotting. Ovarian cancer can also contribute to spotting at various times during the cycle.

6.   Others

There can be other causes of spotting without period. These include the following:

• Sexual assault or sexual abuse
• Polyps within the cervix
• Foreign bodies in the vagina
• Old blood in the vagina that is left over from a previous menstrual period

But how can you make sure it is spotting instead of period? Watch the video below to get ideas.

What to Do If Noticing Spotting but No Period

As you have seen, there are many different causes of spotting or bleeding during the menstrual cycle. You should see an OB/GYN doctor if you have persistent spotting between your periods or if you have spotting without period.

The first thing you need to do, however, is to determine if you are pregnant or not. You should take a home urine pregnancy test that checks for the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in a urine specimen, which is produced in the uterine lining after implantation has occurred. You might be pregnant if you miss your period and just have spotting. Take the test as the first thing in the morning, when the HCG levels are at its highest. If the test is negative but you still have symptoms, you should take the test again a few days later or see your doctor.

If you have spotting associated with dizziness, pelvic pain, or abdominal pain, this could mean you are having an ectopic pregnancy, which should be evaluated by your doctor. If you aren't pregnant or if you know you don't have an ectopic pregnancy, see your doctor about your symptoms, so you can have something done to remedy the situation.

You'd better learn the following tips to prevent vaginal spotting:

• Use birth control pills consistently without missing a period. Common causes of spotting include stopping and restarting the pill or skipping taking a pill for more than one day.
• Decrease your intake of aspirin. There are other pain medications you can use that won't cause spotting or bleeding.
• Get screened for the presence of cervical cancer by having a Pap test annually.
• Make sure your weight is normal as this lessens your chances of getting cancer of the uterus.
• Use yoga, meditation, aerobic exercise, visualization and deep breathing techniques to lessen the stress in your life.
• Document your spotting and bleeding problems, so you can show this to your doctor for help in resolving any possible problems.