Understanding Mid-Cycle Bleeding: Causes & What to Do

Question
Hi I'm from Oregon. I had a miscarriage in Oct. 2012 and my cycles have just been starting to get back to normal the last few months. This month has been weird however, I don't track ovulation or anything because I'm not trying to concieve. But my cycles are normally around 22-27 days. They average around 25 usually. I've never had any kind of bleeding or spotting mid cycle. I'm on cycle day 19 right now and yesterday I woke up with bright red bleeding (not a ton of blood but definitely more than spotting). After cleaning the blood away, it was just spotting throughout the day mixed with ewcm. I don't think it's spotting from ovulation, because I assumed that I had already ovulated. (I usually ovulate around CD 13). Plus, when I woke up with the blood, there was a small clot. But all the blood and spotting went away completely within just a few hours so I'm completely confused. I had slight cramping, but not much. I was worried because i thought my period was starting which would've made this cycle only 18 days, but the fact that I bled for no reason scares me just as much. Could a hormonal imbalance cause this bleeding? I have been sexually active, so if my period doesn't show within the next week or so I would consider pregnancy. I haven't been able to get pregnant since my miscarriage though, so I'm worried something else is going on.
Sorry for the long novel, just wanted to include as much detail as possible in case it makes a difference with whatever could be going on with me!

Answer
Hello Kaya from the U.S. (Oregon),

Of course, I can't tell you exactly what the cause of your bleeding is.  There are several possibilities including hormonal abnormalities, anatomical/uterine abnormalities, pregnancy, etc.  I think that an examination and evaluation are warranted because it is not certainly something normal.  I wish I could tell you more but the Internet does have its limits.

Good Luck,

Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com

Monterey, California, U.S.A.

for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf.  Skype and internet comprehensive consultations now available via my website for those who want a more extensive evaluation that this site can accommodate.