TTC & light periods. Off to Dr for bloods. Anyone else?

[TinyBarista]

Been TTC 10 months. Previously on depot injection, been off 3 years, had a year without anything, then on Ridgevidon pill until end of last year.

Cycle seemingly regular 28-32 days, but my period is nowhere like I remember. There is some bleeding, I don't fill a tampon or pad, it's just when wiping. For about 2 max 3 days. Numerous tests all BFN. Have put on weigh around tummy and boobs.

Went to dr who advised would like to do internal exam and bloods. Anyone else had this? I am unsure what it could be or what the bloods will tell the dr....

Any similar tales? Hand hold may be needed, am quite worried.

[RedPanda25]

Sorry I don't have any advice for you but I'm here to hand hold! When do they want to do the bloods and eternal exam? Thinking positively for you

[TinyBarista]

Thanks Red it's on Tuesday. In a way I'm happy because I might find out something they can 'fix'. And glad they haven't said just give it a couple more months. We'll see...!

[RedPanda25]

That's really good that you don't have to wait long. As you said it'll be good to hopefully get answers. Here if you want to talk, although not sure if I'm of much use! Hopefully someone else will post shortly too.

[Iwantmyhatback82]

I've been to the doctor about a similar problem - my periods have only been lasting two days.

I got a letter back saying that they had tested my bloods for pretty much everything (menopause, thyriod, etc) and all was fine. My doctor suggested that my decreased period length could be due to stress so I've been going to acupuncture to try and calm myself down(!). She also said that periods can get lighter with age. I'm in my mid thirties.

Wishing you the best of luck - hopefully your doctor will come up with something a little more constructive than mine

[fempsych]

Had similar problem but period slightly heavier - used 1-2 tam pins over a day and then it stopped. Had bloods and something was 'bit low' and then had internal scans. Looked like I was ovulating but lining never got v thick - upto 5.5 I think which isn't great. Anyway, they thought that was the problem and I was waiting for hospital appointment and then two months later I fell pregnant - now 8 weeks. I guess upto a year is average to get pregnant... my research showed it is often thin lining that equals light period but not always. Good luck l.

[Sazwest]

I feel the same as you Hun I've been trying to conceive number 4 since February my last 3 periods have been 3 days max last month I spotted one day was heavy for about an hour the following day then back to spotting then it stopped and not filling a tampon its more like spotting( before trying to conceive they were 7 days bang on and very heavy where I have to change tampon a lot) . I have put in weight round my stomach and boobs and feel sick on and off all the time. I don't know weather to go to the docs. As I feel they will tell me I'm just overweight xx

[TinyBarista]

Yes I think I'll get the overweight message too.
Thanks all I really appreciate hearing your stories. fem that's wonderful news! I'll update you all.
iwantmyhat I've got quite a busy job and the stress thing is something I have been wondering about too. Acupuncture sounds interesting has it helped you feel more calm! Can't say it's something I've ever considered! But worth a go?
saz I've seen you on a few threads I've been on, hopefully we'll be sharing good news soon.

[clairettc]

Hi all,

I'm in a similar boat. I've been off the pill for just over a year but was diagnosed with underactive thyroid just after that. Didn't use contraception whilst thyroid was abnormal but weren't trying trying either. started REALLY trying in January when thyroid function was in the correct range for TTC. All the way along my periods have been super light - I've had a couple of "normal bleeds" and kept thinking it was just my thyroid normalising.

Anyway one year in - my last period was the lightest ever! So been to the GP and having day 1-3 tests as soon as this months period arrives. (Kind of wish I'd gone about light periods earlier but also just wish started trying earlier as worried about running out of time!)

I've done quite a lot of reading and as far I can work out light periods might be a problem as can't implant but also lots of people with light periods get pregnant! So I'm none the wiser!!!
Watch this space......

[Iwantmyhatback82]

Tiny I think acupuncture has made me feel calmer as we've been having a very stressful time of late. Fingers crossed it does the job. I'm a naturally stressy person so find it very hard to calm myself down, but I do feel that the acupuncture has taken the edge off and I'm definitely not as anxious as I was.

I was on holiday last month and my period lasted four days for the first time in a year then the one I've just had on returning home was shorter again. Not sure if it's a coincidence or related to stress - Maybe I need to convince my husband we need more holidays(!)

Best of luck to you

[TinyBarista]

claire I've googled lots last couple of days and it's either made me very worried or very positive, so .
iwantmyhat that sounds like it is useful option for me, thanks .... and yes I'd definitely try for more holidays!
Why is this all so difficult... spent so many years 'trying not' to get pregnant and then nothing.

[Schnapps00]

Hi Tiny, almost identical here! Going into cycle 11, spotting today boo :( . Also finished on Rigevidon start of the year, previously was on a few different combined OCPs for 12 yrs on & off (eek!) Like you say, have spent whole adult life trying not to get upduffed & now doesn't seem too easy!! Also v v light periods & v short cycles, use a Mooncup & it's never even half full, also quite (TMI alert!) gungy brown rather than any red flow, do you get this? Had day 4 FSH back as ok, had to redo day 21 Prog as didn't work last time (wrong day due to irreg cycles), will get result this wk. Suspect thin lining is an issue but not sure if it's directly linked to prog levels? Have seen things about raspberry leaf tea & acupuncture helping, will consider soon if nothing happens..no weight issues but mid-30s so conscious haven't got forever! Hand hold offered anytime :)

[Schnapps00]

Hi too to Clairettc, I wouldn't worry about the light periods in relation to thyroid, it seems quite a common thing as you get older & may be nothing to do with it?? But I don't know at what point it becomes an issue..think I would like to get lining scanned at the year point anyway.

[clairettc]

@TinyBarista yeah googling is a dangerous thing to do and really doesn't shed much light!
@Schnapps00 my thyroid's been normal for last 8 months so don't think it is related to that - but I guess would have been good if it was as it's easy to fix!

Oh well- just in the wait for my period now (due in 2 days) and then can get bloods done! It's the first cycle I'm not POAS - just got too disheartening!

[TinyBarista]

Yes schnapps with you on the odd, brown 'period'. Sound like we could be in same (sad) boat?

I'll keep this thread updated so we can all hang out here and share our tales of woe without turning into bitter old ladies

[Schnapps00]

Sounds good Tiny, will let you know how I get on. I'm definitely not stressing just yet as the stats say even after a year 1 in 5 won't be preggers Your cycles sound much longer than mine (although stretching out to 24ish days now, were 20-21 for 1st 6m), so I wondered how that links in to the lining, thought it would make sense if it wasn't having time to build up but who bloody knows! I have a biology degree but it's not much use to me here! Positive we'll get there eventually..

[Schnapps00]

Clairettc I go for the fatalist approach (neve POAS since ttc) - assume it hasn't worked until proved otherwise!

[Chunkymonkey123]

I don't know if this is helpful or not but we were TTC for 2 years and I had very light periods that would not need anything more than a panty liner. The NHS did all the tests and said that it wouldn't affect my ability to conceive but we had a private appointment and they did a scan that found I only built up 4mm lining when really you need 8+ for implantation.
We had 2 rounds of IUI (on the NHS) where they monitor your lining (so why did they say it wasn't as issue before) and the lining needed to be 8+ which is was due to the drugs.
We were successful on our second round and now have a gorgeous baby boy.
Good luck to everyone with your TTC!

[Calmanglass]

I had extremely light periods... maybe use one pad and that was it. We ttc no1 for 14months... and no2 took 5 months. Nothing was ever found and my doc said the 2 day (really 1 day and some brown blood when wiping on the 2nd no pad needed ) period wouldn't affect anything.

[clairettc]

@Schnapps00 ha I gave in and poas - surprisingly enough negative! I think your fatalist approach sounds better just need the willpower to stick to it!

Thanks for the success stories with light periods - def. helps. Just waiting for AF in the next couple of days and then came go finally get blood tests done! I'm interested to find out if there's anything wrong! X

[hashtagtubechat]

I had light periods for the last couple of years, I saw GP and they never found the reason. It went from 5 full on days to a maximum of 3 days, and considerably lighter. I have an autoimmune disease and I was really worried put together I will not be able to get pregnant, but in the end I conceived after just 2 months. When I asked the obstetrician about the light periods (at a prenatal appt) she wasn't too concerned. I'm 34 years old

[TinyBarista]

Thanks for sharing your stories, seems to be more common that I thought, glad you got your BFPs

[Schnapps00]

Thanks all, chunkymonkey that sounds pretty mad that they told you 2 completely different things! Did you get a measurement of lining in an initial scan?

[Schnapps00]

Sorry Clairettc, on board for Sep together?! It probably helps that I am 'thrifty' and take 1 look at the price of tests to think twice! Doesn't stop me symptom spotting though!

[Chunkymonkey123]

Yes they did a lining scan as part of the normal rounds of tests when we went to the private clinic and when you have IUI they use internal scans to monitor you.

[MouseLove]

It may be that you are lacking progesterone. (I think that's my problem) I'm sure the bloods will tell you everything you need to know. Keep us updated.

Ps. I've been TTC #1 for a year now. 😢