Breakthrough Bleeding

Breakthrough bleeding means spotting or bleeding in between your periods. It can sometimes be inconvenient, but it doesn’t need to control your life.

There are lifestyle changes you can make and product choices available to help you get the best out of the whole month.

Check out the symptoms, causes and solutions for managing breakthrough bleeding.

Breakthrough bleeding: symptoms

Also known as spotting, breakthrough bleeding is a common problem that is not always a cause for concern. The most common symptoms are:

A very light period flow, or light bleeding in between periods
Mid-cycle discharge that is tinged with blood.

Light period and spotting: causes

Breakthrough bleeding can be caused by different factors related to your lifestyle and health:

Contraception
Stress
Hormonal changes
Pregnancy
Menopause

Track your period

Keeping track of your period can help you to see changes to your menstrual cycle. You may be able to see patterns between your lifestyle and your period, and spot any problems.

Use a simple Period App to start tracking your period, and take control of your month.

Breakthrough bleeding solutions

De-stress your day

Stress is a common cause of period irregularity. Try to relax after a busy day, and keep a regular pattern of eating and sleeping to help your hormones stay balanced and reduce bleeding before your period and bleeding after your period.

Menstrual cups for a healthy period

Using tampons or pads when you are bleeding lightly can cause irritation and discomfort – menstrual cups collect your flow and are made from a healthy material, so they don’t dry out your vagina. If you are worried about bleeding unexpectedly, or have light spotting, wear a menstrual cup and feel secure and confident.

See what else a menstrual cup can do for your life and health in Ruby Cup Benefits, and check how to Get Started With a Menstrual Cup to make a positive change to your whole month.

When to see a doctor

If you are bleeding very heavily between periods, bleeding during pregnancy or bleeding after sex, it may be an indication that you have a health issue. If you are concerned about spotting, visit your doctor for a health check.

Learn more

Do you have more questions or concerns? We have put together helpful pages to answer your period questions. Have a look at our additional links: