How many cycles should I track?

Start now. One good cycle is useful. A few cycles can show a clearer pattern if the issue is not urgent.

Should I wait to call if bleeding feels wrong?

No. If bleeding is heavy, sudden, painful, or paired with faintness, shortness of breath, pregnancy concern, or bleeding after menopause, contact a clinician now.

Can I track this in Floriva?

Yes, if you want a private app log. Floriva keeps cycle notes on your device. You can also use this page on paper.

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Abnormal and Breakthrough Bleeding Log

A complete bleeding diary covering spotting, light periods, bleeding after sex, breakthrough bleeding on birth control, and start-stop patterns, with visit prep and privacy notes.

Bleeding that does not match your usual pattern shows up in a lot of forms: spotting instead of a period, bleeding after sex, breakthrough bleeding on birth control, a period that starts and stops, or one that is much lighter or shorter than usual.

This log gives all of it one home. It is educational only. It does not diagnose the cause.

If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, faintness, pregnancy concerns, or bleeding after menopause, call a clinician now.

Fast summary for your visit

Fill this in before the appointment.

Field Your notes Main concern Date the change started Last normal period start date Current birth control or hormone medicine Pregnancy test date and result, if relevant Heaviest bleeding day Biggest clot size Worst pain score, 0 to 10 Symptoms with bleeding What you want help with today

Daily bleeding log

Use one row per day. Keep the words plain. Your goal is a clear pattern, not perfect medical terms.

Date Cycle day Bleeding type Flow Products used Clots Pain 0 to 10 Other symptoms Notes : : none / spotting / period / between periods / after sex none / light / medium / heavy / very heavy none / small / quarter size / larger dizzy / tired / nausea / fever / pelvic pressure

Flow words: spotting (marks on underwear or liner, no pad or tampon needed), light (protection lasts most of the day), medium (change every few hours), heavy (change often or plan your day around bleeding), very heavy (soak through fast, leak, or feel worried).

Spotting instead of a period

Use this if you expected a period but saw spotting, with or without a pregnancy test.

Question Your note Expected period date Date spotting started Spotting color pink / red / brown / rust / mixed Amount wiping only / underwear mark / liner / light flow Did flow build? no / yes / not sure Pregnancy test date and result, if relevant negative / positive / unclear / not taken

A negative pregnancy test is a result from that test at that time. It does not explain the spotting on its own. MedlinePlus says bleeding between periods can have many causes, including pregnancy, hormone changes, medicines, and infection this table does not tell you which one fits.

Light or one day periods

Use this if your period was much lighter, shorter, or harder to name than usual.

Question Your note Date bleeding started Date bleeding stopped Flow spotting / light / medium / not sure Color pink / red / brown / rust / mixed Did flow build? no / yes / not sure Was it due around now? yes / no / not sure

Spotting is usually too light for a pad or tampon. A period often builds, then fades. Mayo Clinic says cycles and flow can vary that does not name the cause for your specific change.

Periods that start, stop, and restart

Use this if bleeding paused and came back.

Date Cycle day Bleeding status Flow Color Pain 0 to 10 Clots : : spotting / full flow / pause / restart / no bleeding none / light / medium / heavy pink / red / brown / other none / small / quarter size / larger

"Started Monday, stopped Tuesday, came back Thursday" is a useful note. OWH says to call a doctor for bleeding over 8 days you do not need to finish a log before asking for care.

Bleeding after sex

Use this if bleeding or spotting shows up after sex, whether or not you are on birth control.

Date Cycle day Timing Color Amount Pain 0 to 10 Discharge change Pregnancy concern STI concern : during / right after / later / next day pink / red / brown one spot / a few spots / light / more yes / no yes / no yes / no

ACOG lists bleeding or spotting after sex as a type of abnormal uterine bleeding. CDC notes that cervicitis can involve bleeding between periods, especially after sex, sometimes with no other symptoms. This table cannot tell you if that fits your case.

Context you may want to share (only what helps):

Context Note Contraception method pill / patch / ring / shot / implant / IUD / condoms / none / other Missed or late contraception New lube, soap, wipe, or product Recent pelvic exam or test

Breakthrough bleeding on birth control

Use this for the pill, patch, ring, shot, implant, or hormonal IUD. Skip rows that do not fit.

Question Your answer Birth control method Brand or type, if known Start date or switch date Date the spotting or bleeding began Missed or late doses (fact only, not a dosing decision) New medicines or supplements Recent illness, vomiting, or diarrhea, if relevant

CDC's Selected Practice Recommendations address bleeding irregularities during contraceptive use, including spotting, light bleeding, and heavy or prolonged bleeding. Do not change pills, doses, timing, or method based on this log ask a clinician or pharmacist.

Pattern checklist

Check what fits. This does not tell you the cause. It helps your clinician ask better questions.

Bleeding between periods. Bleeding after sex. Bleeding after menopause. Periods that last longer than usual. Periods that come much closer together than usual. New heavy bleeding or new large clots. New pelvic pain or pressure. Dizziness, faintness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue. Bleeding after a missed period or possible pregnancy. Bleeding that started after a new medicine, birth control, or device. Missed or late pill, patch, ring, or shot. STI concern.

If any item feels urgent, do not wait for a full diary. Call your clinician.

Questions to ask your clinician

Bring the questions that fit. Cross out the rest.

What bleeding pattern do you see in my log? Does this count as abnormal uterine bleeding? Could pregnancy, miscarriage, or birth control explain this? Do I need a pregnancy test today? Do I need blood work for anemia or thyroid issues? Do I need testing for infection or an STI? Do I need an ultrasound or other imaging? Could fibroids, polyps, PCOS, perimenopause, or endometriosis fit this pattern? Could cervicitis need to be checked? Should I change any medicine or birth control? What symptoms mean I should call right away? When should I follow up if the bleeding continues?

A short script for the appointment

"My bleeding changed on . Since then, I have had . The heaviest day was . I used products that day. My worst pain was out of 10. I am worried about . I would like to know what to check next."

If the visit is short, start with the facts that changed your daily life. Leaks, missed work, sleep loss, pain, and fear matter.

One page summary

Fill this in before a visit or message.

Summary item Your note Main change Date it started Bleeding type and pattern Amount and color Pain score Discharge, odor, itching, or burning Pregnancy concern STI concern Birth control or medicine context Main question

Privacy note

Bleeding notes can include sex, pregnancy tests, miscarriage, birth control, discharge, and location details. If you keep this diary in an app, know where the data goes.

Floriva can hold this kind of log on your device. A notebook can too. The right choice is the one you can keep private and bring to care when you need it.

Before sharing a log, read the sex pain and bleeding data privacy checklist. For appointment prep, use Floriva for gynecologist prep.