Lubricating bleeding before the period

Lubricating bleeding that occurs before the period is also called premenstrual lubricating bleeding or pre-bleeding. Probably the most common cause of such prebleeding is a weakness of the corpus luteum (corpus luteum insufficiency). Due to hormonal disorders, the corpus luteum does not mature properly in the second half of the cycle and does not produce enough progesterone.

This leads to spotting about 2 days before the start of the actual period. The so-called ovulatory bleeding or ovulation bleeding is also a premenstrual spotting. It can be accompanied by a pulling abdominal pain, which is called Mittelschmerz.

Spotting instead of period

Instead of period bleeding, in some cases only spotting may occur. The absence of menstrual bleeding and the simultaneous occurrence of spotting can indicate pregnancy. If you cannot exclude a pregnancy with certainty, a pregnancy test should be performed in such a case.

Hormonal contraceptives are also the cause in some cases. Hormonal contraceptives such as the pill do not cause real menstrual bleeding, but a hormone withdrawal bleeding. This is often so light that it looks like a spotting. Even a naturally very weak period can look like spotting. Such a weak period can be caused by an eating disorder or a chronic inflammation of the uterine lining.

Lubricating bleeding after the period

Spotting that occurs after the period is called postmenstrual bleeding or post-bleeding. The causes for such spotting are very diverse. Hormonal fluctuations and cycle irregularities, hormonal contraceptives or hormone treatments can cause postmenstrual bleeding. However, there are also a number of organic causes such as myomas, endometriosis, inflammation of the endometrium or polyps. In rare cases, cancers of the female genital tract are also possible causes of secondary bleeding.

Spotting after ovulation

Immediately after ovulation, a so-called ovulation bleeding can occur. This is caused by the natural drop in oestrogen after ovulation in the second half of the cycle. It is therefore a slight hormone withdrawal bleeding.It can be accompanied by a pulling pain in the lower abdomen, known as Mittelschmerz. This is how some women notice their ovulation. Ovulation bleeding is not an illness, but quite natural.