When you start to have menstrual cycles, you may notice a little brown or red spotting that happens at times when you are not having your period, and often this is completely normal. Spotting looks like it sounds - red, pink, or brownish spots in your underwear or on the paper when you wipe.
Pre-period spotting
In the days before your period is due, you might notice some brownish or darker spotting in your underwear, only enough to wear a light flow pad.
Ovulation spotting
Hormones can make spotting happen around ovulation, so you may see this and cervical fluid at the same time.
Spotting with a breakthrough bleed
When you’re in puberty, you may experience a lot of menstrual cycles without ovulation. You won’t have menstruation, but you might have a breakthrough bleed that can look like spotting and lighter menstrual blood.
Stress or hormone-balance related spotting
If you experience a day or two of spotting, it might be due to stress or hormone shifts and is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you are spotting everyday for a longer time, talk about it with your doctor or a trusted adult.
