Vaginal bleeding that appears outside your periods is considered abnormal. Spotting usually involves small amounts of the blood that you may notice in the toilet paper or on your underwear. Intermenstrual bleeding may have many different causes. While some of them are not dangerous others may cause serious health problems. For this reason, if you regularly experience intermenstrual bleeding it is extremely important to call your gynecologist.

Below you can find 8 common causes of intermenstrual bleeding and learn more about them.

1. Ovulation

Some women may experience spotting during ovulation. This kind of spotting usually looks light pink or red bleeding that occurs when your ovary releases the egg. This often happens between 12 and 21 days of your menstrual cycle. Such spotting may last up to two days. Other symptoms of ovulation include abdominal pain, bloating, low body temperature, and an increase in cervical mucus.

2. Trauma

Vaginal or cervix trauma may cause spotting outside the periods. The main cause of the trauma is rough intercourse. The tampon may also damage sensitive vaginal mucus and cause bleeding. Another cause of spotting is a gynecological procedure like a pelvic exam. If you experience spotting due to trauma your gynecologist may prescribe you a special healing ointment.

3. Birth control

Hormonal birth control options like pills, rings, and injections may all cause intermenstrual spotting. It may happen spontaneously when you just start using birth control, skip them, or change the dose or type of birth control.

4. Infections

Sexually transmitted infections often cause light bleeding between periods and after sex. If left untreated STIs may cause serious health problems. Patients with this issue often report painful urination, vaginal discharges, abdominal pain, and itching. If you experience the same symptoms it is very important to visit the gynecologist as soon as possible.

5. Polyps

Polyps are abnormal abdominal tissue growth. Polyps often look like tiny and flat bumps. They may develop both in the cervix and uterus. Most polyps are non-cancerous. Common symptoms of cervix and uterus polyps include bleeding and pain during sex, bleeding between periods, and atypical discharge.

Usually, no treatment is needed for polyps except for situations when they cause unpleasant symptoms. Cervical polyps can be easily detected during the routine pelvic exam. To detect uterine polyps an imagining test is needed. Polyps often cause light spotting outside the periods. Other symptoms of the polyps include irregular, painful periods, and even infertility.

6. Fibroids

There is no clear reason why fibroids develop. The symptoms of fibroids usually depend on the size of the fibroids, location, and how close they are to pelvic organs. However, the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids are vaginal bleeding and abdominal pressure or pain. The doctor may diagnose uterine fibroids during the pelvic exam or by ultrasound.

There are several ways to treat fibroid. Depending on the severity of your condition gynecologist may offer surgical or medication treatment.

7. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that affects about 10% of women in the United States. It happens when the tissue inside the uterus starts growing abnormally outside the uterus. This disease may cause spotting and very heavy periods. Other symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic cramping, pain during sex, digestive issues, and fatigue.

There is no treatment for endometriosis. However, the doctor may prescribe you medications that will help relieve and manage symptoms.

8. Stress

Stress may cause different kinds of health problems. It affects almost all systems of your organism including pelvic organs. In some women, stress may contribute to changes in the menstrual cycle by influencing hormonal background. Other women may experience vaginal spotting between the period because of high levels of stress.