Do you commonly find yourself asking, “why am I bleeding after my period?” Every woman’s cycle is slightly different, but the typical menstrual cycle is 28 days long with 4 to 5 days of bleeding. There are many reasons you may notice spotting after your usual period has ended including something as simple as a drop in estrogen before ovulation occurs. Keep in mind, spotting is not heavy bleeding but small drops of red or brown blood that doesn’t require anything more than a light panty liner.
What is Menstrual Bleeding?
Menstrual bleeding serves an important purpose. Your body is an amazing machine that quite literally prepares itself for pregnancy each month. As a result, the uterus lining thickens and releases an egg from your ovaries. If you do not conceive that month, estrogen and progesterone levels drop and, as a result, your period starts.
Why Am I Bleeding After My Period? Top Reasons Why Women Experience Bleeding After Their Period
Most women will experience spotting at some point in their menstrual lifetime, but if you are spotting after every period there may be a greater underlying condition at play, such as fibroids. It’s not “normal” to spot after your period but it’s not typically cause for concern unless it’s happening all the time. If you find yourself wondering why am I bleeding after my period?, it may relate to one of the following.
Hormonal Imbalances
Your hormones play an incredibly important role in so many areas of your body and life, including how and when you menstruate. For instance, when you enter perimenopause, it’s normal to experience irregular periods and/or spotting. In addition, medical conditions that impact your hormones such as thyroid disease or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may also cause spotting or unpredictable periods.
Thyroid disease can cause low or high thyroid levels that impact your menstrual cycle and lead to spotting, irregular bleeding, longer than normal periods, or skipping your period altogether.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that impacts ovulation and is commonly associated with irregular periods. If you have PCOS it is common to spot between periods; some women even experience heavier flows in between their regular cycle.
Pregnancy
One good thing about being pregnant is no periods for 9+ months! Yet, spotting can still occur. Spotting can happen when the fertilized egg implants in your uterus and starts to grow.
If your bleeding is heavier than spotting it may signal a miscarriage. In addition, an ectopic pregnancy, when the fertilized egg implants outside of your uterus, which may also cause bleeding and is considered a medical emergency.
Polyps or Fibroids
Polyps are made up of tissues that line the uterus. On the other hand, fibroids consist of connective tissue and muscle cells. They are different conditions but often have overlapping symptoms, such as spotting or bleeding in between cycles, so it’s important to get an official diagnosis from your doctor.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and chlamydia are the most common sexually transmitted diseases that cause irregular spotting and vaginal bleeding.
Certain Medications
Common medications that cause spotting include anticoagulants, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, and corticosteroids.
How Period Underwear Can Help (Shop really, really leakproof period underwear)
Spotting between periods usually isn’t heavy enough to warrant the use of a tampon or pad, yet you don’t want to ruin your favorite pair of panties or risk leaking through your new white pants. That’s where period underwear comes into play, giving you the ability to stop stressing about period spotting while remaining comfortable and confident.
Take trust in our leak-resistant line of period underwear that come in a wide variety of styles, colors and absorbency levels. Whether you’re looking for a sleek thong or something with more full coverage, we’ve got the perfect pair of panties for you - all designed with leakproof technology. Think of them as basics made better. Shop out super-light leak resistant collection!
4 Benefits of Using Period Underwear to Manage Post-Period Bleeding
There are so many benefits to using period underwear if you find yourself thinking “why am I bleeding after my period?” Offering the fit and feel of your everyday undies but with added coverage and absorbent power, you may want to wear them all of the time.
Provides extra protection
Pick the level of coverage you need and then take trust in the fact you are wearing really (really)leakproof underwear. Our Leak-resistant Everyday Undie holds up to 1 light tampon or panty liner, while our Leakproof Hipster Underwear provides the highest level of protection with the power to hold up to 5 tampons thanks to our unique Leak-Loc® technology.
Comfortable and Convenient
If you’re wearing period underwear you can rest assured you will stay dry and protected. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort for convenience either. Our super soft period underwear is made to fit you, while offering comfort and protection.
Reusable
Because you should always have protection available, our leakproof panties are machine-washable and reusable. That makes them environmentally and budget-friendly. Slip them on and enjoy protection while being incredibly comfortable - so you don't even have to think about what's going on down there.
Helps Reduce Anxiety and Stress
So you want to wear the white shorts but you’re unsure if you’re going to spot today? We feel you. As if there aren’t enough things to stress about in your everyday life. Period underwear takes the stress out of spotting and unexpected leaks with unparalleled protection.
There are so many benefits to using period underwear to manage your post-period (as well as period) bleeding.
Of course, just because you’ve got a trusted solution in place doesn't mean you should ignore the issue. If spotting or abnormal bleeding is becoming a regular part of your post-period routine, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor to make sure there are no underlying issues at play.
