What is the difference between spotting and your period?

Your period comes once a month. The average woman has her period every 28 days, and it lasts about a week.
Spotting, is any kind of bleeding that could happen somewhere within those 28 days. It is usually a lighter flow as compared to the annual menstrual flow.
Spotting can be caused by certain medicines, stress, hormone fluctuations, birth control, injury, abortion, or other surgical procedures. For the average woman spotting is not normal. If you are spotting, be sure to let your doctor know.