Seeing blood only when you wipe, but not on your pad, usually means your flow is very light. This is common at the start or end of a period, and the blood may come out slowly in small amounts, sometimes dark or brown, which is not enough to soak a pad. Hormonal changes, stress and natural variations in the cycle can make a period lighter than usual.
Light spotting can also happen with hormonal birth control, especially in the first few months or after missing pills, around ovulation or during perimenopause. In some cases, blood seen on toilet paper may not come from the uterus, but from the urinary tract, such as with a urinary tract infection, or from the anus, due to hemorrhoids or fissures.
If your period is late or there is any chance of pregnancy, take a pregnancy test, as light bleeding can occur in early pregnancy. Go to the emergency room right away if bleeding is accompanied by severe pain on one side of the abdomen, dizziness or fainting.
See a gynecologist if this pattern continues for several cycles, if your periods become irregular, or if you have burning when urinating, fever, unusual discharge, a bad odor, or bleeding that soaks a pad every hour for several hours. Any bleeding after menopause, even a small amount, should be checked by a doctor. Do not start or stop hormonal medications without medical advice.