Spotting After Period: Causes and Treatment
When bleeding occurs in between your periods, it is called abnormal bleeding or spotting. Abnormal spotting after your period can be caused by a variety of conditions, from a hormonal imbalance to a sexually transmitted infection.
A typical menstrual cycle is 28 days long with a four-day period of bleeding. However, menstrual cycles are different from woman to woman and can be anywhere from 21 to 35 days long with a period that lasts between 2 and 7 days. Anything outside of this, such as bleeding or spotting after your period should be over, is considered abnormal.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding can be caused by many different conditions, but does not always indicate a serious condition.
There is no home treatment for abnormal vaginal bleeding, and professional medical treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Because bleeding after your period could be a sign of an underlying medical condition, it is always best to get it checked out by a medical professional. If you are experiencing other symptoms along with the spotting, such as pain, dizziness, or fever, you may need immediate medical care.
When to get care right away
- You are pregnant
- There is any unexplained bleeding between periods
- There is any bleeding after menopause
- There is heavy bleeding with periods
- The bleeding comes with other symptoms such as pain, fatigue, dizziness or fever; you may need immediate medical care
FastMed offers prompt medical treatment for non-life-threatening medical conditions 365 days a year. Each of our locations has extended hours, and our staff members are dedicated to providing you with quality personal medical care. If you are experiencing abnormal spotting after your period, don’t hesitate to walk in to a FastMed location near you.
Bleeding between periods is called abnormal bleeding or spotting. Causes range from a hormonal imbalance, an intrauterine device (IUD), infection and pregnancy complications to uterine fibroids or polyps, stress, inflammation of the cervix and cancer. A typical menstrual cycle is 28 days with about four days of bleeding, but cycles of 21 to 35 days and periods of 2 to 7 days are also normal; bleeding after your period should have ended is considered abnormal. There is no home treatment, and the right treatment depends on the cause.
What counts as spotting after your period?
When bleeding occurs between your periods, it is called abnormal bleeding or spotting. Menstrual cycles differ from woman to woman: a typical cycle is 28 days long with a four-day period, but cycles can be anywhere from 21 to 35 days with a period that lasts between 2 and 7 days. Anything outside of this, such as bleeding or spotting after your period should be over, is considered abnormal.
| Measure | Typical | Normal range |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle length | 28 days | 21 to 35 days |
| Period length | 4 days | 2 to 7 days |
What causes spotting after a period?
Abnormal vaginal bleeding can be caused by many different conditions, and it does not always indicate a serious condition. Reasons include:
- Hormonal imbalance
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
- Infection
- Pregnancy complications
- Uterine fibroids or polyps
- Cancer
- Stress
- Inflammation of the cervix
Is there a home treatment?
There is no home treatment for abnormal vaginal bleeding. Professional treatment depends on the underlying cause, and because bleeding after your period can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, it is best to have it checked by a medical professional.
About FastMed
FastMed is a North Carolina-based integrated healthcare company based in Durham, NC. It operates more than 50 locations in 34 counties providing urgent care and occupational health as well as primary care at select locations. FastMed accepts most insurance plans and is one of a few private urgent care centers also accredited by The Joint Commission. Learn more at fastmed.com.
