A012 Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

But take a deep breath. It’s usually no big deal – especially once you learn how to deal with it. Knowing why it happens can minimize the panic of seeing unexpected blood in your undies.

So, here’s the what’s what with bleeding before your period is due, and how to be prepared for it.

Read the full article below

A012 - FC04 - Is spotting normal?

Is spotting normal?

A012 - Flash Cards - Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

MCBLA06 - How to Prevent Period Leaks?

How to Prevent Period Leaks?

PRFPEA01 - Tampons vs. Pads 

Tampons vs. Pads

Although occasional, mild bleeding may have an innocent cause—related to stress, ovulation, or changes in contraception—its regular or heavy occurrence should not be ignored. Intermenstrual spotting can indicate more serious health issues, such as intimate infections, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or even cancerous changes in the cervix or uterus. Early detection of these conditions often increases treatment effectiveness and minimises the risk of complications.

A109 - T04 - Why shouldn’t you ignore spotting between periods?

Why shouldn’t you ignore spotting between periods?

A016 Can You Swim on Your Period with a Pad?

- Up to Zero Feel Zero Leaks
- Moderate Flow
- Recommended for the day

Infinity FlexProtect Long (Size 2)

Always Infinity FlexProtect Long (Size 2) sanitary pads

Person pointing with a pen at June on a calendar

A012 - FC05 - What increase spotting

What increase spotting

A039 What Is a Sanitary Towel? (What Is a Sanitary Pad?)

What Is a Sanitary Towel?

MCBLA03 - Symptoms of an abnormal period

Symptoms of an abnormal period

Underwear with flowers symbolizing hormonal changes and spotting

Spotting vs Bleeding

Why does it happen - SP

Why does it happen

A067 Symptoms of an abnormal Period

A034 How to Stop Period Leaking at Night

Every woman at some point in her life experiences crampy menstrual pains. And how to get reduce period pain and cramps? You can start with warm compresses!

A015 How to get rid of period pain and cramps

How to get reduce period pain and cramps

MCPSA04 - How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

Calculate your menstrual cycle

- Up to Zero Feel Zero Leaks
- Moderate / Heavy Flow
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Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra(Size 4)

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MCPSA06 - How long is a menstrual cycle? 

How long is a menstrual cycle?

MCPSA05 - What causes long periods and what does it mean?

Long period

A109 Spotting between periods – causes, symptoms and prevention

Spotting between periods – causes, symptoms and prevention

MCPSA03 - Your Menstrual Cycle Phases

Your Menstrual Cycle Phases

Discovering a little blood on your knickers before your period is due can be confusing. But breathe deep. It’s usually no big deal. Click to learn more!

Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

A127 Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

A101 Should I Be Worried About Brown Discharge?

Can PMS cause fatigue? If you're feeling tired before your period, click here to learn what you can do about this!

A149 Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies | Always

Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies | Always

## Having "The Talk"
Puberty, with its physical and emotional changes, can be a rollercoaster ride for girls, so it’s important to have honest and open conversations. How you explain puberty to your daughter will set the tone for the next few years (no pressure!).

If you think it’s time to explain puberty to your daughter and have the ‘period talk’, follow these tips.

A117 How To Explain Periods And Puberty To Your Daughter

A012 - T03 - Why does spotting happen?

Why does spotting happen?

MCBLA02 - How to Stop Heavy Periods | Always

Stop Heavy Period

Medications

PRFPEA02 - What Is a Sanitary Towel?

Calendar marked with light spotting and slight bleeding occurring a week before the expected period

Is spotting normal

A010-T01-Calculate your menstrual cycle

A010- Related Articles 

Period Hub - PH02 - Menstrual Cycle

Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle | Always UK

In order to calculate your menstrual cycle, you’ll need to learn how to track your [cycle](/en-gb/period-tracker/ "Cycle"). Don’t worry. It’s pretty simple. All you need to do is mark down when your period started on a calendar for a few months in order to figure out how to count your period cycle days and to calculate the average length of your menstrual cycle.


How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

Why is my period late? This is a question that can keep many women awake at night. A period can appear a few days after the planned date for a completely different reason. If it happens occasionally, it does not necessarily mean there is a reason to worry. If your menstrual cycles are becoming increasingly irregular and the intervals between bleeds are getting longer, you should consult your doctor.

A045 Why is my period late? 10 Reasons for a Late Period

A035 Your Menstrual Cycle Phases

 PH02- A012 Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due? - Related Articles

When you’re pregnant, every little change in your body takes on greater significance, and you can read each of them as a sign of what is happening with your baby. That is great, as long as you don’t over-interpret, or assume everything is an indication that things are going wrong! The same thing applies to your discharge.

A127 - Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

A012- HT01 - Factors that may increase likelihood of spotting

Factors that may increase likelihood of spotting

Period Hub - Back to Period Hub page

ECPA02 - How Do You Work Out Your Period Cycle?

Work-out

It is characterised by a small amount of [vaginal discharge](/en-gb/period-hub/vaginal-discharge/should-worry-about-brown-discharge/ "Vaginal discharge")mixed with blood, appearing pink, red, brown, or dark brown. It can occur irregularly at different times of the cycle – before menstruation, after it, in the middle of the cycle, or even during menopause. Spotting may appear as a few drops on underwear or be slightly heavier, sometimes with clots, but it is always less intense than a typical period. It usually lasts for a short time, but its shade and amount may vary depending on the cause – fresh blood appears bright red, while older blood takes on a darker, reddish-brown hue.

A109 - T01 - What are the symptoms of spotting between periods?

What are the symptoms of spotting between periods?

A010 How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

Bleeding vs. spotting what's the difference?

A010-T03-Calculating your average menstrual cycle length

Calculating your average menstrual cycle length

Menstrual Cycle

A010-T02-How to count the days in your menstrual cycle 

How to count the days in your menstrual cycle 

Light spotting just before you get your period can be completely normal. You may even notice light bleeding up to a week before your period is due.<br/><br/>
What’s most important with spotting is to notice what is normal for you. If you don’t normally bleed before your period is due, but suddenly have started noticing pink or brown spotting before your period, it might be worth bringing up with your doctor.

Is spotting before my period normal?

A145 -  Why do you get cravings on your period?

Yes! While spotting can happen regularly for some women, it can also be a sign of a larger problem. 

Let your doctor know if you are experiencing bleeding or spotting between periods so that they can help you explain the cause or catch a more serious condition as early as possible.


A109 - T03 - Should you tell your doctor?

Should you tell your doctor?

A064 Tampons vs. Pads

## Other changes to your hormonal balance

Things like stress or new birth control pills can also change your hormonal balance and cause light bleeding before your expected period. While it can be unnerving, it’s nothing to be alarmed about.

A012 - HT02 -  Other changes to your hormonal balance

A012 Article Flash card first Image Bleeding between Periods

A012 Bleeding Between Periods

Product Recommender

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Exercise or Chilling during periods?

With Always Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra (Size 4) period pads with wings, you may even forget you are wearing a pad so you can enjoy a good-night sleep.

Always Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra (Size 4) period pads with wings

Exercise during menstruation – what to do and what to avoid?

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Period Tracker

Track your period

Can You Swim on Your Period with a Pad?

Some girls and women spot when they ovulate,
i.e. when an egg is released from one of your ovaries.

Ovulation happens 14 days before the first day of your next period (so on day 14 if your cycle is 28 days long). The change in hormones that occur during ovulation can cause light bleeding before your expected period.

A hormonal imbalance that affects ovulation can also cause spotting in the middle of your cycle. If you experience that a lot and feel worried about it, consult your doctor.

Other changes to your hormonal balance

A012 - HT01 - SUB02 - Ovulation

2. Ovulation

A009 How to Stop Heavy Periods?

How to Stop Heavy Periods

Dr. Tariq Miskry image

Dr Tariq Miskry

Flash Card Buy Now panty liners

Now, figuring out when your next period will come is easy as pie. Starting on the first day of your last period, just count out the average number of days between your periods (aka your average cycle length that you calculated) and that gives you the projected start date of your next period.

Voila! Now you know how to calculate your [cycle](/en-gb/period-tracker/ "Cycle"). Calculating your period isn’t an exact science but knowing how to calculate your menstrual cycle will give you a good approximation of when your period will come. 

Your period may not come regularly. In fact, when you first start menstruating, it’s totally normal for your period to be irregular. It may take up to a year or two for your body to get into a regular pattern so keep on tracking. 

Did all this make you a little cross-eyed? Don’t worry. You can use the [period calendar](/en-gb/period-tracker/) on this website. Knowing how to calculate your menstrual cycle is a big help for being prepared and confident around your period.

How to know when your next period is due

A128 - What Does Yeast Infection Discharge Look Like?

Light bleeding before your expected period is known as spotting. Spotting is pink or brown blood that can show up on the toilet tissue after wiping, or on your knickers. Think of it as enough pink or brown blood to leave a stain on light-coloured underpants, but not enough for a tampon.
It’s important to differentiate between spotting and bleeding. If you are bleeding enough to soak through a pair of knickers and it’s not time for your period, you should consult a doctor.

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Would you like to know what exactly a yeast infection is, and how to recognise it by your discharge? We’re here to give you the details.

A128 What Does Yeast Infection Discharge Look Like

Yeast Infection and Discharge: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

PH00 - A127 Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

Pregnancy discharge

A015 How to Manage Period Pain and Cramps

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Period pains and cramps

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Period Underwear

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A012 - FC01 - Bleeding Between the periods

Bleeding Between the periods

A010 - How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle Footer

There is no getting around the fact that going to the toilet to discover you have developed a discharge that strongly resembles cottage cheese is not a great feeling. However, its cause is one of the more commonly suffered, and most-often discussed infections that women can get, but would you know what exactly a yeast infection is, and how to recognise it? We’re here to give you the details. The good news is that at least your body has let you know something is wrong, and it can generally be easily fixed, so it is not all bad – and there is no need to panic.

Read the full article below 

A0110 - What causes long periods and what does it mean?

What causes long periods and what does it mean?

As soon as you feel that your period is coming soon, you start feeling hungry. Are cravings before and during period normal? Click to find out!

A145 Is It Normal to Have Cravings Before And During Period | Always

Is It Normal to Have Cravings Before And During Period? | Always

A149 Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies

### On a visit to the loo, you may have noticed some brown discharge in your underwear or on the toilet paper. Although it can be a little disconcerting, it is usually perfectly normal and no reason to worry.

Whether it’s an entirely new experience for you or it happens every so often, read on to get of the rundown on the ins and outs of brown discharge, what causes it, and when to worry (and when you can safely relax – which is most of the time! Great!)

A116 The Right Pad to Prevent Leaking

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A012 - FC03 - Why does it happen?

Intermenstrual spotting, although often a result of natural processes in the body, such as ovulation or hormonal changes related to contraception, should not always be ignored. The most common causes of intermenstrual spotting include:

- __Ovulation__: Some women notice light spotting for a day or two after ovulation. This happens regularly for some people.  [Ovulation](/en-gb/period-hub/menstrual-cycle/menstrual-cycle-phases/ "Ovulation") is the time in your cycle when you are most fertile. If you are avoiding [pregnancy](/en-gb/period-hub/menstrual-cycle/menstrual-cycle-phases/ "Pregnancy"), make sure not to get ovulation spotting confused with menstrual bleeding!

- __Contraception__: Spotting between periods is a common side effect of hormonal birth control, like birth control pills, hormonal IUDS and patches, injections and implants. Spotting may occur when you start the contraceptive or shortly after stopping its use. If you experience 'break-through bleeding' every month, let your doctor know, as they can advise you on how to manage it and determine whether you should explore other contraceptive options that may be better suited to your body.

- __Pregnancy__: Spotting during pregnancy is a symptom that can cause concern for expectant mothers, though it does not always indicate a problem. It is estimated that up to 20% of women experience bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy, and in many cases, it is physiological – for example, during embryo implantation in the uterine wall. This type of spotting is usually light, short-lived, and not accompanied by pain. However, bleeding during pregnancy can also be a sign of more serious issues. Every case should be consulted with a doctor to ensure the safety of both the mother and the developing baby.

- __Menopause__: As your body prepares for this transition, you may experience hormonal imbalances that cause spotting. This can be a sign that you are starting the transition to menopause.

- __Infections__: [Vaginal and cervical infections](/en-gb/period-hub/vaginal-discharge/yeast-infection-and-discharge-symptoms-causes-and-treatment/ "Vaginal and cervical infections") caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses can lead to inflammation of the mucous membrane, causing slight bleeding between periods. Such spotting is often accompanied by other concerning symptoms, such as itching, burning, pain during intercourse, an unpleasant odour, or changes in discharge consistency.

- __Uterine fibroids:__ Intermenstrual spotting is one of the common symptoms of uterine fibroids – benign tumours developing in the uterine muscles. Although these growths are not malignant, they can significantly affect quality of life and the regularity of the [menstrual cycle](/en-gb/period-hub/menstrual-cycle/how-to-calculate-your-menstrual-cycle/ "Menstrual cycle"). Fibroids cause irregular shedding of the uterine lining, leading to light bleeding, especially a few days before menstruation. If you experience persistent or unusual bleeding, consult your GP  to rule out other underlying conditions and determine the best course of action for your health.
- __Endometriosis:__ Intermenstrual spotting can be a sign of endometriosis – a chronic condition affecting women of reproductive age, with its exact cause still not fully understood. The disease involves the presence of endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, outside its cavity – most commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic walls. This type of bleeding often occurs alongside painful menstruation, pain during intercourse, difficulties with urination or bowel movements, as well as chronic lower abdominal and lower back pain. If you experience persistent spotting, severe pain, or other concerning symptoms, consult your GP for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.

A109 -T02 - What can cause spotting between periods?

What can cause spotting between periods?

ECPA04 - Exercise during menstruation – what to do and what to avoid?

Period and sport

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How long is a menstrual cycle? 

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What to do about it?

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Spotting vs Bleeding - SP

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Always_EN_UK/Articles/A012-Why-Am-I-Bleeding-Before-My-Period-Is-Due/01-You_re-just-starting-your-period.jpg

A010 - How to calculate your menstrual cycle

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Bleeding Between the Periods

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Bleeding Between the Period SP

What increase spotting - SP

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/Always_EN_UK/Articles/A012-Why-Am-I-Bleeding-Before-My-Period-Is-Due/03-Stress.jpg

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What to do about it

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Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

Read the full article below

01 Bleeding vs. spotting what's the difference?

02 Is spotting before my period normal?

03 Why does spotting happen?

Period Tracker