Spotting between periods...what does it mean?

[IBlameThePenguins]

Hi, Please forgive if this is TMI.

I finished my period about a week ago, but when I went to the toilet today I noticed some spotting (it's very similar to the sort of blood at the very end of your period, IYKWIM?)

Should I be worried? Can this be perfectly normal? It's never happened to me before.

Sorry if this is a daft question.

TIA

bump.

Do you think the timing is likely to coincide with ovulation? Some women get a small amount of blood with ovulation each month and this isn't anything to worry about.

However, since it hasn't happened before, it is worth seeing your GP to get checked out. Also, if you aren't up to date with smear tests, you should book one. I think abnormal bleeding should always be checked out because in rare cases it can be a sign of something serious. Also, if the bleeding occured after sex, this is another sign that you should see the GP.

Thank You for your reply. I suppose it could coincide with ovulation - I am still breastfeeding DD (20months), so my cycle is pretty irregular. I am quite achey this evening (a lot like period pains), which could mean I am ovulating, couldn't it?

I had a smear test about a year ago. Do you think I should ask for a more up to date one? DP and I last had sex on Saturday night (sorry if TMI) but there was no bleeding yesterday.

Do you know what it could be a sign of? Sorry, I know I should just go to my GP and ask all of this, but I have a total phobia of going for anything remotely "intimate" after a horrid op to repair my epesiotomy when DD was 6months old.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

I have just booked a GP appointment for the same reason. I am also still BF my 19 month DD, freaked me out today but I think it is to do with BF. Was stupid brave enough to search the internet earlier and there does seem to be a link with BF. I think it's best to get it checked out anyway.

You would count as up to date on your smear tests since they are normally every three years.

And sorry I should have said that by bleeding after sex I meant very soon after sex, not a few days later. So nothing to worry about there.

It sounds like the timing could coincide with ovulation, and some women have a small amount of blood at that time of the month which is nothing to worry about.

It's also possible that it is just a dip in your hormones that triggered it, especially since you are still breast-feeding. Stress can also have an effect on hormones (not just psychological stress but also getting overly tired, or losing or gaining a lot of weight, for example). Thrush can also cause some bleeding, but you shouldn't use canesten when breastfeeding (would have to ask the doctor first). There are many possible causes of bleeding between periods (the NHS lists some of them here).

It sounds like it is probably nothing to worry about. If you are worried, or if it persists for more than three months, then see a doctor.

Thanks both, yes, I was a bit freaked out today too, Gruffalo ( love the name, btw!) I thonk I'll see what happens tomorrow, and then decide about a GP apt.

Redwingwinter - We have been under a lot of stress lately. I have been very tied, totally de-motivated, and have put on about 12 lb :( I have just started seeing a counsellor, as my GP has queried mild PND. She has referred me to a health trainer to help with some of these issues. Do you thibk it's possible that the lack of energy, weight gain etc could all be hormonal?

Thanks again for your very reassuring replies.

IBTP

Have your thyroid levels been checked?. That may be another possibility.

cervical erosion?

IBlameThePenguins, how are you doing today?

The weight gain and fatigue can all be linked in. Like Attila said, did your GP check your thyroid levels, as that could cause weight gain and fatigue too.

Hi Atilla, It's funny you should say that, I had my thyroid levels checked about 5 months ago, and they were slightly low. I had to go back a month later, and they were within normal limits, although my GP did say it was the lower end of normal limits.

I'm OK today thanks Redwing. No bleeding today, so it was very brief. I think I will book a GP appointment to discuss the above though.

Thanks again for your responses.