Hello, I'm concerned with this prolonged spotting problem of mine. I had my period sometime in the second or third week of April, but a week or two ago I've been experiencing brown vaginal discharge that started very light and slowly progressed to a medium flow before receding to a light spotting again. At the moment it continues to stay light, however I'm assuming it will continue until god-knows-when.

I've delved into some research like WebMD and other sites, and learned that it could be from a number of causes such as lifestyle in diet/exercise, late periods, infections, etc. I'm not really up to seeing a doctor myself because it's embarrassing and I have a nosy mother whom I do not feel comfortable sharing these problems with.

I'm 18 and 5'0" but reasonably athletic. I avoid fast and junk food, and participate in exercise such as tae kwon do (I recently took up jogging/running). I have good hygiene and have had normal periods (although there is the occasional late period), but I've never had a spotting session that has been prolonged to such an extended amount of time. I, uh... I'm also a bit of a sex fiend, so I tend to masturbate a lot using a vibrator, but I always clean it before and after with a baby wipe. I don't engage in intercourse with other people.

I'm aware that there are other spotting threads in this sub-forum, however everyone's problem is their own and sometimes cannot be related to one's own problem.

Thanks.

First, let me say that the spotting you are experiencing is not embarrassing, its actually quite common! The only way to find out the cause is to see your doctor, of course, and at 18 you don't have to tell your mother if you don't want to.

Spotting you described can be a simple vitamin or progesterone deficiency, both easily treated. I am a "spotter" as well, due to a progesterone deficiency. My doctor has put me on suppliments.
Using a vibrator would not cause this, so there is probably no reason to worry about that as long as you continue to be clean and use it appropriately.

You could be noticing a change in the amount or frequency in your spotting because of hormone fluctuations (quite frequent around your age) or because it continues to go untreated.

This could be a very minor concern, or it may be more... but don't be embarrased--the doctor has seen much worse. Spotting is routine ;)

Good luck to you!