Why am I spotting a few days before my period?

[Olive180]

Every month for the past couple of years I've had light pink/brown spotting for 2-3 days around the time of my period, followed by 1-2 days of no bleeding, and then my period starts. I've had blood tests and an ultrasound scan but all normal and GP just says it's probably just harmless hormonal changes in my cycle.

I'm in my early 30s and my periods are regular every month on a 30 day cycle (give or take a day here and there) and I typically have light period bleeding. No other symptoms apart from period cramps on the day my 'actual period' starts.

I've had this since I turned around 39 or 40. It's really annoying.

Sorry, nothing more useful to add but you aren't alone. I did once it could be a sign of lower progesterone but I don't know how accurate that is.

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I know a few women who say this happens to them. I think it’s normal.

Thanks, I appreciate the post! A few American health sites (that i generally take with a pinch of salt) suggest low progesterone but none of them really explain what that means, is it bad etc. But also progesterone levels normally fall a lot before your period anyway?

I'm 36 and had this for about the past year too. Very annoying

I’ve been getting this for the past year or so as well, I’m 40. I did discuss it at my recent smear test (which came back normal). I’d like to think it’s just hormones changing but who knows…

Do you have a cervical ectropion? I've worked out this is what mine is. I have a cervical ectropion from long term hormonal contraception use and since I came off the pill I get this spotting. It's changes in my hormone levels in my cycle causing changes in my cervix shape and the cervix is sensitive and causes the ectropion to bleed. Had this for 11 cycles and fell pregnant a lil while ago. I'm now 8 weeks and have had a bit of spotting now and then but had scans etc. And the sonographer and midwives have blamed the ectropian.

30 and had this the past year or so also. Really irritating and makes it feel like I'm on my period for ever

No words of advice but I have this too since coming off the pill last year.

Regualr cycles but it’s really annoying. Also interested about what it might mean / if I should
be worried

I have this since my miscarriage. Very annoying and I broached low progesterone with my gp who said nothing to worry about apparently.

I'm early 30s and have had this the last few years. I may have had it earlier but was on the pill which obviously changes everything.

I had this when I was trying to conceive and was prescribed progesterone, which stopped it, apparently my progesterone level were dropping prematurely and it’s common in your 30s and 40s. The hormonal migraines and cramps I used to get before my period stopped with the progesterone too.

Yeah I get this as well. I got shown some lovely photos of what my cervix looks like once. Smears are fun anyroad.

I get this since coming off the implant. I just assumed it was hormone levels.

I had this from my late 20s

This is interesting. I had the pre-period spotting at about the same time I was told during a smear that I had an ectropion. Mine seemed to be caused by my hormones rebalancing after I stopped breastfeeding (I’d been pregnant or bf continually for 6 years!) The spotting would be before very heavy periods, for which I had a Mirena fitted. Annoyingly I do still get a light period with my Mirena but I don’t get the spotting now, so maybe the ectropion has gone

Literal phase spotting /defect. I started getting his after my Covid vaccine. Still happening!

*Luteal !

Oh, I can't be bothered to correct myself again haha

That's really interesting actually, thanks. I was once told that I have cervical ectropion and this has been happening roughly since stopping the pill (probably about a year after stopping, which is when my periods got properly back to normal). I had been on the combined pill on and off for about 10 years.

I hot this when I had the copper coil. It gradually got worse until my entire luteal phase was spotting so I had it removed. No more spotting with immediate effect :) I figure it was a low level inflammation or infection somewhere.

This is very interesting, I've been getting it for about a year now, since I had my mirena coil replaced.

I get this! 5 says to week before my period I get what seems like the start of my period but it lasts just the day. It's only been happening for the last 5-6 months. I'm in my early 40s

I've had this for about the last year. I'm late thirties so assumed it was hormonal changes as I get older, my cycles have been getting more irregular too.

I get this a lot of months (some months I just get crazy spotting throughout). I have had all the tests for cervix/uterus issues so I know its hormonal. Interesting about progesterone...my hormones feel completely fucked these days.