Do you get spotting before AF / period? Come and talk to me here

I know this is a really old thread bit I feel like the spotting issue is an age old problem that no one ever seems to have any answers for. So I just wanted to add my story in case it helps anyone else struggling with ttc.

I started ttc my 3rd over 2 years ago, I have always spotted a couple of days before af and again afterwards but it never caused too much of an issue. In my 3 previous pregnancies (1 mmc) I always thought of myself as a 'bleeder' with lots of unexplained spotting in the first trimester and plenty of reassurance scans. After about a year of ttc this time my spotting started to get worse, sometimes for up to a week before af would start and for days afterwards as well. I started to look into why and decided that it must be due to low progesterone. I asked for day 21 blood tests at the doctors and they always came back with low progesterone, implying that I hadn't ovulated. I knew that I was though because of my monthly temperature shift, so looked to see if there were ways of increasing my progesterone naturally.

Long story short I tried all sorts of supplements, accupuncture, lifestyle changes but in the end I finally managed to get progesterone pessaries prescribed. The first month on them I bled for a total of 5 days when I got my period, absolutely no spotting before or afterwards, and the second month I got my bfp!! It's still very early days and I don't know what the outcome will be (praying it sticks) but I just wanted to give hope to any serial spotters that it can happen given the right help. I actually had to ask my fertility specialist to prescribe them to me as he hadn't thought of it as an option! I feel like doctors easily dismiss it as not being a problem but I 100% believe that without my progesterone pessaries I wouldn't be pregnant now, I just wish I'd been prescribed them sooner!

Just wanted to share my experiences. I have spotted 4/5 days prior to AF for as long as I can remember. I used to get so upset about it but was dismissed when I brought it up. In 2019, I unexpectedly fell pregnant with my DS (wasn’t trying at the time). I spotted that month like normal too. I’m now almost 20 months post partum and I had no spotting at all post birth, until now, when this cycle I had 7 days spotting. Hoping it doesn’t impact our ttc number 2. Feeling both nervous but positive that it will be ok.

Hi ladies just wanted to update as I know how frustrating it is..... As I've said before ttc over 2 years 1 mmc..... No one would listen about spotting before af up to 6 days... so seeing new clinic and wants the spotting gone... So this cycle was on letrozole 5 tabs day 3 5 tabs day 4... I know unusual... Then gonasi trigger hcg then gonasi 3 dpo 5 and 7 dpo....... This month peak plus 7 progesterone was 111 nmol and oestradial 1000 🤯..... Prog was in and around 30 always this clinic likes it to be over 60! I possibly popped 2 eggs as it was so high... And guess what ZERO SPOTTING first time in forever with a 14 day lp.. even with bfp I spotted
It always niggled me about the spotting..... This clinic tells you not to ttc until cycle, hormones are perfectly balanced to reduce any mc and to monitor reactions as they want to avoid multiples where possible
Sending love ♥

Just found this post. I've started spotting 3/4 days before AF and now it's happened even earliar the last two months. Been ttc for 5 months. Worry that it's a factor that could affect conceiving. It's that time again and I was getting weird achy boobs but then the usual spotting so I think it's another disappointment month again. Very strange. I wonder if it's normal if so many experience it.

Hi ladies great to see thread still going just an update I posted before (michele112 the site asked me for new username when logged bk on.?! ) ..... After expressing concerns to 3 GPS and 2 fertility experts they didn't bat an eyelid at it but was always bugging me about spotting
I attended a new fertility clinic that takes a different approach to just suggesting ivf straight away which a lot of clinics do??
So he said no way is it normal and will hopefully try and rectify I spot anywhere for 6 to 3 days before af TMI......... Spotting is brown or mucous or stringy
So he works kinda diff that you have to sign up to programme with him so hoping I will get some answers
Ttc since Aug 18 mmc nov19 🙏
Will update

Hi, I am so glad I have found this. I have been TTC since September last year never had spotting till October (not sure why). I have had some tests done and other than slightly low oestrogen nothing to be concerned about. I am 39 so I know this is a factor when TTC. I have been taking pregnacare since last month, currently on day 12 of tww and started spotted yesterday this is the same pattern as previous months. If anyone could help I would much appreciate it.

Oh thank God I am not alone, thank God for You girls! I was already going crazy. Had 3 consultations with my OBGN since June when it got worse than ever (12 days before AF - immediatly after OV), he atributed it to hormones but I went to private lab and did the testing (3x since then, they seem ok, not in menopause (I am 37), progesterone ABOVE the limit (?) the rest in the limits (estrogen close to lower limit). Nothing seems to match. I dismissed idea of having another child because I am now scared for my life, this looks sooo haunting that I keep thinking they are overlooking something and that I am sick. Please, if someone knows if it is safe to take SOY ISOFAVONE in case of trombophilia (AntiphospholipidSyndrome) since estrogen therapy is not allowed in that case (I was thinking maybe such a discrepancy between estrogen and prog. is causing the spotting, so maybe the natural way of boosting estrogen to make some balance...(?)

Let me share my experience.
When I was 26 I spotted for 2 days Bp and tried to conceive a year after and I fairly easily conceived on my first cycle. I did see the brown spotting also on day 33 of cycle and that it’s the beginning of my period but it ended up being implantation bleeding since I saw the same with my second pregnancy .

The spotting stopped after my first child .

Yes @Michelle122 I’m the same, the GP is so dismissive of it, it makes me feel better for a few days and then it happens again and I get worried! @orangeloo I have had my TSH and a few other things tested and all seems to be fine. My Prolactin levels were quite high the first time I got tested but they have come down a bit now. @Kiza I have an appointment tomorrow morning so will mention it again, she was also not too fussed when I said it at my initial meeting 🥴 x

@EB211 definitely mention it to your acupuncturist, the 2 courses I've had it's eliminated the spotting. The moment I stop acupuncture it seems to come back, however I know other women who have undergone acupuncture and it hasn't stopped their spotting.

Welcome @EB211 I too was relived to find this group. I'll also say I know ppl have got pregnant with spotting. I also agree with @Michelle122 some days I feel ok with gp's etc saying it's fine. Then other days I feel quite down that it won't happen and I'm a medical mystery. Look at hypothyroid symptoms if u have any it's a good idea to get tested as this is a common cause of spotting although treating mine did not stop my spotting.

Hi @EB211 I know the relief to see a page that relates keep in mind it's completely normal to take a year ttc.... Not that I thought I would be in the bracket until I started this ttc journey 😔but it can and is normal keep the spirits up..!
I know some days I'm like I've told numerous GPS and fertility experts I spot and they say its fine so it must be.... Then other days it's like why is no one taking this spotting seriously..!

Hi everyone! So glad to have found this thread! :) I’ve been reading it from the start and found it so helpful. We’ve been ttc since November. I always thought spotting before AF was totally normal, as a kind of warning ‘I’m coming!’ but I can’t remember if it happened before I went on the pill, which I’ve been off for about 4/5 years. Like others have said, the doctors are very unconcerned about it even though I mention it every time I talk to them. My progesterone is good but I spot anywhere between 6 and 2 days before and it has worried me that it is causing a problem. I’m having acupuncture at the moment so am going to mention the spleen qui that someone talked about a few pages back. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and how happy/relived I was to see the topic name! :) nice to know I’m not alone, as this journey can feel very lonely at times X

Thanks @Michelle122

Hi Imworthit wow your really late I admire your will power not testing..! Let us know if it a bfp
Yes testing twice a day last few cycles was positive opk on cd 15 non medicated which I was so happy with tried of dtd now 🙄 and still no positive hopefully I just missed the peak
Wishing you everything this cycle Morgane777 ♥

Thanks @orangeloo and @Michelle122
@Michelle122 have you been testing more than once daily? It happened to me that I didn't get any positive on the mornings must mostly on the afternoons with a 4-5hour hold.
@orangeloo I hope you'll hear from them soon!
I'm starting a new cycle. Hope this one will have a better outcome!

I do have cervical erosion. Don't worry ladies sounds worse than it is! Common in your 30s. Explains the red spotting but the brown is very strange for me

Started my own thread but it makes more sense here.

Been regular for over a year since coming off pill. Age 34. First month TTC (He said yes! 😁), usually 28 day cycle but on day 37. Been having sex like rabbits. Had red spotting last week (one wipe) bfn. Brown spotting this morning (one wipe) but afraid to do another test cause my gut says not pregnant. Was pregnant at 19 (no birth), so I know the 'feeling'. Have no idea what's going on now. Help?!

So sorry to hear about chemical Morgane777
Congratulations Bubblybub
No news this side on cd 20 no positive opk yet wtf so sick of all of this sitting awake crying thinking there must be some reason why it is so difficult
Sending love ♥

@Morgane777 so sorry to hear about your chemical lovely
NHS referral has been sent off but I have no idea how long it will be until I hear anything. X

@Bubblybub yes you're right. I have thyroid problems, so cannot go that way :(
A good weekend coming for you getting to know more about your baby!

Yes finding out the sex next weekend. I do think the soy isoflavones was the reason I got pregnant but it’s a shame not everyone can take them with thyroid and other problems :( x

Thanks @Bubblybub and I'm happy for you! I wish everything continues to go well with your pregnancy! Are you going to find out the sex of the baby?

Sorry to hear about your chemical that sucks x

I’m nearly 15 weeks now. All going well touch wood. Spotting stopped around 6 weeks. Not had any since x