Brownish Spotting After Period: What Could It Be? - Health Advice

Question
Hi.  My cycle is 28 days.  My period was due January 7th (Day 1 of the cycle).  On that day, nothing occurred, but later on that night, I experienced brownish spotting when I went to the bathroom, but nothing else.  Day 2 and 3 was virtually the same, nothing but a bit of brownish discharge and spotting.  Not even enough to wear a pad, let alone a panty liner.  On the night of Day 3 I had sex, afterwards I urinated and there was a tiny bit of red blood instead of brown, but even that tapered off within 2 hours.  It wasn't even enough to consider it a 'light' period.  Now is day 4, and it's stopped completely.  It's like I barely even had a period at all.  I ALWAYS have heavy periods so it was shocking that by day 2 & 3, there was hardly anything but a bit of brownish fluid on the toilet paper!  And then today, which was Day 4, there was nothing at all!  It stopped!  My periods last a full 7 days?

Could this be implantation bleeding??????

Answer
Dear Melanie,

Implantation bleeding can be brown, red, pink - barely noticeable or mistaken for a period. It is different for different women. Some women don't even experience it. So it would be very difficult for me to tell you for sure, based on this information, that this is implantation bleeding.

If you had unprotected sex 6-12 days prior to this occurring, then it's possible that it very well could have been. Otherwise, it could be a variance in your cycle due to a change in diet, excessive weight gain/loss, stress, excessive or strenuous exercise, thyroid problems, or a hormonal imbalance, etc,...

I wish I could be more specific for you. COULD it be - yes. But can I tell you for sure, no.

I hope I've helped somewhat. I wish you well.

Brenda