My wife began spotting 1 week before her period was due to start.  She is on birth control pills and her periods have been regular since starting the pills many years ago.  Is this an indication that something is wrong?  An advice nurse had suggested getting a pregnancy test, which she has done.  We were just curious as to what other maladies, if any, this could be pointing to.  Thank you. HY

My wife began spotting 1 week before her period was due to start.  She is on birth control pills and her periods have been regular since starting the pills many years ago.  Is this an indication that something is wrong?  An advice nurse had suggested getting a pregnancy test, which she has done.  We were just curious as to what other maladies, if any, this could be pointing to.  Thank you. HY If it's still before her period is due, the pregnancy test might give a false negative. Emily

An advice nurse had suggested getting a pregnancy test, which she has done.  We were just curious as to what other maladies, if any, this could be pointing to.  Thank you. Well, it COULD point to a wide range of issues, ranging from hormonal problems to fibroids to cancer.  However, by far the most likely explanation is that her body (like most human bodies) is not a machine, and occassionally experiences variations.  Maybe she missed a pill, or took one late. Or maybe it was just a hormonal misfire.   You don't say how old she is, but if she's in her late 30's or older, she could be peri-menopausal, which can lead to variations in hormone levels. If it doens't happen again next month, I wouldn't give it another thought.  If the problem recurs, or she continues to spot/bleed through the next cycle she'll want to check with her doctor.  It could be as simple as needing a different pill formulation, or it could be the first sign of a more serious problem. Naomi