I spot for two or three days before every period. Is that a problem for fertility?

Light brown spotting a day before the period is common and often nothing serious. When it regularly lasts two or more days before the real flow, doctors sometimes look into a few possible reasons. These include a shorter or weaker second half of the cycle (the luteal phase), polyps in the lining of the uterus, fibroids, endometriosis, thyroid imbalance, raised prolactin, or infection of the cervix. Hormonal contraception stopped recently can also cause irregular spotting for a while. A gynaecologist will usually start with a pelvic ultrasound, ideally just after your period, to look at the lining and check for polyps or fibroids. Thyroid and prolactin blood tests are simple to add. A cervical screening test (Pap smear) may be suggested if it's due. Sometimes a saline-infused scan or a hysteroscopy is used to look inside the uterus more closely. Keep a record of how many days you spot, the colour and amount, and your cycle lengths for two or three months. That pattern is very useful for the doctor. Bleeding after intercourse, bleeding between periods, or heavy bleeding with clots should always be checked promptly.