What is reddish/brown spotting, with tissue pieces about a week before a period a symptom of? there are no other symptoms other than mild cramping. i have also been on the same birth control for over a year and this has happened about 3 times.

Normal variation: During your menstrual period, your uterine lining is sloughed off and expelled via the vagina. The red/brown spotting and tissue pieces are a common part of the menstrual period. If you are having this spotting outside of your normal period, it could indicate a hormonal fluctuation caused by stress, exercise, weight gain/loss, lack of sleep or dehydration. It is within normal variation.