Abnormal spotting shows up at times other than the above mentioned times. Abnormal spotting lasts for days. It’s abnormal to spot days before your menstrual cycle is due. The causes of abnormal spotting vary.

One common cause of spotting several days before the menstrual cycle is due is low progesterone. It is the hormone progesterone that helps to maintain the uterine lining for pregnancy.  When pregnancy occurs the progesterone should keep the lining in place and fluffed up to hold on and nest the new life.

In a cycle without the occurrence of pregnancy, progesterone begins to diminish and  and when the progesterone level drops the lining is no longer held in place and the menstrual cycle occurs.  In women who are deficient in progesterone, they will see spotting several days to a week before their cycle is due. This can also cause minor infertility and early miscarriage.  Both are symptoms of low progesterone.