How different is spotting from menstruation?

[Andrew Sherman]

Spotting refers to light vaginal bleeding that occurs outside of a woman’s regular menstrual cycles. This bleeding is usually much lighter than a normal period; it might just be a few drops of blood that can appear on your underwear or require only a light panty liner. It's not typically enough to fill a pad or tampon. The color of spotting can vary, including shades of pink, bright red, or a dark brown. Darker blood often indicates that it's been present in the uterus or vagina for a longer period and is therefore older blood.

The amount of blood expelled during spotting and the frequency of it can vary from person to person. Let's first understand how exactly is spotting different from menstrual bleeding and some of the causes of spotting before periods:

• It's irregular and unpredictable - Unlike menstrual bleeding, spotting can be sporadic. You may start spotting, have a day with no bleeding, and then spot again. Periods have a predictable bleeding pattern; spotting does not.
• The colour is different - Some women find they spot brown blood, which is distinctly different from the standard deep red of menstrual bleeding.
• The length of time - A period typically lasts for around three days or more, whereas spotting only lasts for one or two days. You won't need more than one pad per day when you are spotting.
• Other symptoms - Menstruation is accompanied by other symptoms like cramps, fatigue, etc. Spotting isn't.