Period came early after smear? Or what is the bleeding like?

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Had smear test this morning, and have sticky brownish discharge this evening. Period not due for 4 days- is this likely my period coming early or bleeding from smear?

Can't seem to find any info on what the bleeding is usually like after smear- I assume normally fresh red blood?

Can smear test trigger period to come early?

Ideally there will be no bleeding after a smear. But if you have some cervical erosion, that's one reason why there might be a tiny bit of bleeding, if the cervix is particularly fragile. It would be fresh red blood in that case.

Thanks, probably period making an early appearance then! Do you know if smear can trigger it to come early?

When I bleed after a smear (some women just do, thanks to hormones or cervical erosion making the cervix more sensitive) it is always fresh red blood. Brown spotting tends to be linked to older blood or your progesterone level not being quite right. I’d assume it is your period starting early. Do you usually get brown spotting before your period arrives? I don’t believe that a smear can cause a period to come 4 days early.

I'm normally bang on 35 day cycle (or up to 37) but never early! Very strange. Do occasionally get some dark down spotting a few hours before period arrives properly.

She really scrubbed away at my cervix but no fresh blood!

Very strange

I’ve never had a smear (under 25) but have had a couple of speculum exams. I think slight bleeding afterwards is normal; your GP wouldn’t find it unusual.

I did have a cervical ectropion on one occasion - but I also slightly bled after all exams to date, including before the ectropion formed/after it was treated. It’s just one of those things. I don’t have periods due to my contraception so it’s definitely from the exams rather than cycle related.

Brown blood could be explained by something as simple as a tiny amount of blood mixing with normal discharge - presumably the clinician used lube which you’re passing out too

I dont have periods due to the pill. I had a smear 2 weeks ago and had some brownish pink bleeding later that day and the next day.

I think it's very normal to bleed after a smear, but do call the doctor to double check if you are worried. Weirdly enough, my period was actually a bit late after having a smear!