Does temp always go down when period starts?

[yellowflowers]

Hi,

I temp and usually temp plummets the day I start spotting/period. I've had very ligh spotting for three days now (sometimes I spot before period, sometimes I don't) but my temp remains high. Any thoughts (except wait a few days!!). I am 13dpo today, nose is stuffy but boobs entirely normal. But I don't think I am I'll so really don't think temp is because of that.

Thanks.

[liahgen]

test test test.

High temp and stuffy nose, (nose for me every time)

Go on you know you want to.

[Bleatblurt]

My temp didn't usually go down until a day or two into my period.

But you should definitely test! [poas pusher]

[liahgen]

pmsl at POAS pusher,

"hey guv, got some luvvery new hpt's, wanna try, eh eh?"

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

yellowflowers

Do you have PCOS?. I only ask this as temp charting is really problematic to do if this is a factor.

Have you spoken to anyone about the spotting between periods; this should be checked out further medically to ascertain the cause. Sometimes this is due also to a lack of progesterone.

[yellowflowers]

Hi attilla, yes I have pcos but my consultant unconcerned by spotting and says bloods are fine though is about to do a whole heap of tests in advance if clomid in new year.

I know charting not great for pcos but my charts tend to be textbook showing ovulation 14 days before period and a clear temp rise after ovulation with a patten of temp dip before ovulation. Occasionally they go a bit weird and consultant reckons these are anovulatory (every five months or so)

Tomorrow is 14 dpo so will test then if spotting not become period proper.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Hi Yellowflowers

re your comments:-

"Hi attilla, yes I have pcos but my consultant unconcerned by spotting and says bloods are fine though is about to do a whole heap of tests in advance if clomid in new year.

Hmmm. Not convinced, was wondering how he can assert your bloods are fine (usually with PCOS there is an imbalance of LH to FSH. Is this the case with yourself now?). Spotting can also be indicative of a lack of progesterone. On what basis is he saying your bloods are fine and when were the last lot of tests done?. Sorry for all the questions but its all too easy to be fobbed off and you will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

What tests are you going to have done next prior to clomid?.

"I know charting not great for pcos but my charts tend to be textbook showing ovulation 14 days before period and a clear temp rise after ovulation with a patten of temp dip before ovulation".

You can have a temp rise in the middle of your cycle when an egg has not been shed. Charting is particularly unhelpful when it comes to PCOS because the chart is extremely hard to interpret (it can appear like the Rocky Mountains). If you want to continue charting because it makes you feel like you're being proactive then that is okay. However, you need to be aware of the pitfalls too associated with this method. Also ovulation is not an exact science, it certainly does not always occur around 14 days before period!!. It can occur earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle. It is also quite possible to have periods without ovulating (again common with PCOS).

"Occasionally they go a bit weird and consultant reckons these are anovulatory (every five months or so)".

You should be closely monitored every month through both blood tests and internal ultrasounds. That way he can build up a clear picture of your cycles whether they are anovulatory or ovulatory (Some PCOSers have the occasional ovulatory cycle). If this is not happening I would ask why.
All your symptoms are par for the course with PCOS.

With best wishes

Attila

[liahgen]

atilla How come you know so much?

My first chart is all over the place. up down up down. Regular periods but no baby and this is month 8.

What do you think?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Hi liahgen,

Will answer in two parts.

From personal experience of subfertility unfortunately (was diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS) but am now a parent.

General consensus seems to be that if you're over 35 and have been ttc for more than 6 months without success then a visit to the GP is in order. Normally gynaes like to see people after a year of ttc without success.

GP may now want to do simple investigative tests to start with, namely a blood test for you and a semen analysis for your man. These tests should be repeated as well.

[yellowflowers]

Thanks Attila,

What I really want to know is the answer to the temp question for someone without pcos, as my pcos is mild and my temp charts largely textbook, so am interested to know what answer would be if pcos not a factor.

Spotting is not between periods so much as in a few days leading up to period. Never mid cycle.

Re bloods being fine - I mean he is satisfied they show ovulation and possibility of conception. I take his word for it because he is one of the best doctors at one of the best hospitals in the world. But next time I see him I will ask about progesterone.

I know ovulation not exact science but I know my temp rise correlates with ovulation usually because I feel it and because i had scan last month showing I had ovulated when I thought I had.

I'm not being ungrateful for your helpful answer - I do appreciate it. x

[2ndDestiny]

Hi yellowflowers

My temp didn't drop til 4th day of AF proper (after several days of pre-AF spotting) this last cycle. This was an ovulatory cycle as shown by a good progesterone blood test result. I also have PCOS but usually ovulate predictably.

Will keep my fingers crossed though that the spotting stops and your temp stays high...

[liahgen]

We started ttc last Sept, had very early loss at Christmas and nothing since.

After the mc, periods went from textbook 28 days to textbook 26 days. I have ov pains and have had pos opk's regularly.

Was bf dd until July this year, only at bed and morning as she is 2. Stopped as doc and myself thought it could be making a difference.

Doc then told me that they won't investigate until I have been free of bf for a year, even given my age, (43 next week) as you need to be ttc with nothing hat could make a difference, (ie BF)

My chart is very up down up down so we will see.

thanks for info.

[yellowflowers]

thanks 2nddestiny - alas af started today (though bang on 14 days which is always reassuring).
x

[Issy42]

Hi yellowflowers. Sorry AF got you. Really hope you have better luck next cycle.

Just wanted to add to the temping debate. My temp always dipped day of or day before AF and sometimes started dropping the day before that. However, when I got pg this time it did the same thing. I'd tested early so thought I was going to mc again, but 22 weeks later she's still with me. Wanted to mention it in case it happens to any of you as scared the hell out of me.

Liahgen - Your doctor should definitely investigate if you haven't conceived after 6 mths if over 35. Is there a different doctor at your surgery you could see?