Pink discharge at the beginning or end of your menstrual cycle is expected. There are many reasons for this, but one of the most common is spotting or having periods that may last fewer than two days.

You may see pink vaginal discharge as part of your period or at other times throughout your menstrual cycle. It’s not necessarily a reason for concern.

Blood may mix with clear cervical fluid on its way out of the uterus, turning it pink. This color may also be a sign of a number of different conditions, like a hormonal imbalance or infection.

The timing of the discharge — as well as any other symptoms you may be experiencing — can help you identify the underlying cause. Keep reading to learn more.

Pink discharge at the beginning and end of your menstrual cycle is natural. At this time, the blood is just beginning to flow or is slowing down. It may mix with other secretions on its way out of the vagina, diluting its red hue.

Another possibility is irregular menstruation. Light periods, for example, may last fewer than two days and be pink, more like spotting than a full flow. Anything from weight fluctuations to age to stress may make your menstrual cycles irregular.

Low estrogen levels may lead to pink discharge at different points on your cycle, not necessarily when you would expect a period. The hormone estrogen helps to stabilize the uterine lining. Without enough of it, the uterine lining may break down and shed irregularly, leading to spotting of a range of colors.

Other signs of low estrogen include:

Estrogen imbalances are treated with hormone therapy or serotonin-boosting antidepressants.

Starting a new method of hormonal birth control or switching what you’re already using may create an artificial estrogen imbalance.

You may experience light pink discharge or spotting as a result. This side effect, also called breakthrough bleeding, is more likely with methods that contain little or no estrogen.

In some cases, your hormones may adjust to the medication within a few months, and the spotting will stop. Others may see pink discharge for three months or longer.

If it doesn’t stop, you might explore other birth control options with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

An egg is released from the fallopian tube approximately 14 days before your next period starts. Around 5% of people experience ovulation, or mid-cycle, spotting.

Since wet, clear cervical fluid is produced at this time, ovulation spotting may appear pink instead of red.

Other symptoms around ovulation include Mittelschmerz, or pain in your lower abdomen. People who chart their cycles may also see a change in basal body temperature.

Your chances for getting pregnant are highest in the days leading up to and including ovulation.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled pocket or sack that develops on one of the ovaries. Some cysts are part of your menstrual cycle.

A follicular cyst, for example, is created if an egg doesn’t burst from the ovary at ovulation and continues to grow. It may cause no symptoms and go away on its own within a few months.

Others, like dermoid cysts and cystadenomas, may grow large and cause spotting or pink discharge. They may be caused by hormone imbalances or conditions like endometriosis. You may also notice pain or heaviness in your pelvis or bloating.

Cysts that are left untreated can rupture or twist the ovary, cutting off its blood supply. In these cases, surgery is necessary to restore blood flow.

Implantation occurs when a fertilized egg successfully embeds in the uterine lining. It usually happens 10 to 14 days after fertilization and may cause light bleeding of various shades, including pink.

Other early pregnancy symptoms:

  • frequent urination
  • morning sickness
  • sore breasts
  • fatigue

If your period is late or you have pink spotting in its place, consider taking a home pregnancy test.

In rare cases, a fertilized egg may implant in a fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic or tubal pregnancy, and it may cause spotting or bleeding. If discharge is light and mixed with other vaginal secretions, it may appear pink.

Other symptoms include:

  • sharp pain in the abdomen, pelvic, neck, or shoulder
  • one-sided pelvic pain
  • dizziness
  • fainting
  • rectal pressure

Fallopian tube rupture is a potentially life threatening complication. If you experience spotting or bleeding and severe one-sided pain or any other symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

A healthcare professional may prescribe medication or recommend surgery to remove the tissue from the fallopian tube. A rupture requires immediate surgery to prevent major internal bleeding.

Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation is common. Early pregnancy loss, in particular, affects 10 out of every 100 known pregnancies.

Symptoms may come on suddenly and include a gush of clear or pink fluid or heavy red bleeding. Other symptoms include:

  • pain or cramping in the lower abdomen
  • passing tissue or clots
  • brown discharge
  • dizziness
  • fainting

In some cases, the tissue may pass without medical intervention. If the tissue doesn’t clear from the uterus, you may need a dilation and curettage (D&C) to prevent further complications.

There is a four to six-week period of bleeding after delivery. This discharge is called lochia and has a stale, musty odor.

Lochia initially presents as heavy red bleeding and small clots. From around day four onward, the bleeding becomes lighter and turns pink or brown. After day 10, it eventually lightens up even more and shifts to a creamy or yellowish color before stopping.

Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional if you see large clots or experience foul-smelling discharge. These may be signs of infection.

Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may cause unusual discharge, including pink bleeding. These infections may not cause any symptoms at first.

When symptoms are present, they can include:

  • bleeding during or after penetration
  • painful urination
  • pelvic pain or pressure
  • vaginal itching
  • spotting between periods

Without antibiotic treatment, STIs can spread to the reproductive organs, causing an infection called PID. You may experience fever or other flu-like symptoms. If left untreated, PID can result in chronic pelvic pain and infertility.

A fibroid is a noncancerous tissue growth in or around the uterus. Fibroids don’t always cause symptoms.

When they do, abnormal vaginal bleeding is considered an early sign. Light bleeding or spotting mixed with other cervical fluid may appear pink.

Other symptoms may include:

  • pelvic pain or low back pain
  • pain during penetration
  • difficulty urinating or pain with urination

Uterine fibroids are treated with surgery to remove the growths from the uterus.

Perimenopause marks the transition to menopause. During this time, estrogen levels rise and fall unpredictably. As a result, you may see pink spotting or experience irregular bleeding.

Other symptoms include:

  • hot flashes
  • difficulty sleeping
  • vaginal dryness
  • mood changes

Perimenopause typically begins in your mid-30s to early 40s. Symptoms are often treated with short-term hormonal replacement therapy or antidepressants.

Pink discharge isn’t necessarily a reason for concern, especially if it occurs around the time of your expected period.

A typical menstrual cycle — from the start of one period to the start of the next — ranges from 21 to 35 days in length. The period itself typically lasts between two and seven days. Bleeding or spotting outside this timeframe accompanied by other symptoms, like pain, fever, or dizziness, is a reason to seek medical attention.

Talk with a doctor about any bleeding you experience during pregnancy. Pink discharge may be typical, especially around the time of implantation or in early pregnancy. Any pain, dizziness, tissue, or clots could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

Pink discharge after the onset of menopause isn’t typical. Irregular discharge during this time could be a sign of fibroids or other conditions that require medical attention.