STOP! Yammer time. 🍠

Hi Yammers, sorry I've been AWOL for a couple of weeks. I found the IVF cycle really hard going.

My official testing date isn't until next weekend, but I cracked and tested early at 7dp5dt. Nothing actually counts until next Saturday, but it looks like the IVF has worked. Fingers crossed for the same result next weekend.

@Owlpatrol I hadn't heard of progesterone dominance before, interesting. Part of me feels as though whenever hormones are involved, the symptoms among many different issues often overlap meaning I don't seem to fit into any box very well, I just decide there is probably something wrong and let the panic ensue

@OrcinusOrca no I'm the same and to me spotting pre period from usually around cycle day 26 is "normal" for me and I've only just recently considered it might be a symptom of progesterone dominance but I don't usually get the heavy periods with it and some of the other symptoms

@Owlpatrol what's the story with your spotting, do you get it every cycle before AF and have your progesterone levels come back OK? I've done loads of googling about it lately and don't feel any wiser.

@Owlpatrol. It's weird isn't it. I have only ever spotted once. My period is just like BAM! Here I am lol

Ahhh think af coming early. Just went pee and spotting still. Cycle day 24 not usually spot till 26! I'm away for the weekend so I'll have to go get some tampons tomorrow. How strange but I know it's af as cramping getting worse as well

@Owlpatrol. I'm a stick dweller too lol so I understand your predicament - hence the online test! x

@LookingAtTheStars89 oooh I didn't know I might try that. I'll see if I can get them to 're print my day 1-3 test because if af comes this week I should be able to get it done easily. It sounds like I'm putting up barriers but I live in the sticks and the hospital is an hour round drive before work....im planning a home birth....when I get pregnant

@Owlpatrol. I hope they are sorting it asap for you. If you're struggling for time off you can buy blood tests online you know. That's what I have done for my day 21 this month - it's just a finger prick thing x

Yeah need to be 're tested @LookingAtTheStars89

@Owlpatrol. Are you having your progesterone checked again?

Argh... cycle day 24 and had some brown spotting today along with cramping. Not holding out much hope for implantation I've spotted thus early before....af due Wednesday

Can I join in with you ladies? I think this is the thread I probably fit in the best with/feel suits me!

We've only had one cycle TTC this year as stopped towards end of last year but had no joy after 5 ish months last year. I'm going to ban myself from early testing, and I am most definitely not into symptom spotting, but I feel like I could do with charting to others who are getting impatient and frustrated too.

I recently had two 40+ day cycles and my last one was just 32 which is better. O'd on CD 22 though and I spot during luteal phase so bit worried about that. Had some blood tests due to the long cycles and was in my luteal phase at the time. My LH was over three times my FSH (GP said no action based on bloods it's just me looking at the detail) but they were in line with luteal phase numbers and my progesterone was in line too, so theoretically nothing to panic about.

I'm on vit d as I'm low in that and folic acid. I've just started on B6 too; does anyone else take it? I was going to do 50mg a day post ovulation but I'm tempted to do 50mg a day and up it to 100mg post ovulation given the spotting and 10 day LP...I'll shut up ranting now! Going to read back and get to know who's on here. Hopefully I can be a late joiner if you'll have me!

@Owlpatrol.

Not tested early this month....its hard to remain positive but af will come....cramps and boobs confirm it. Sigh onto cycle...18

It's new to me. Never happened before and a part of my heart wants it to be a sign I'm fertile and everything is right. My brain keeps saying "you're a Doyle you can't ha e a baby"

Ditto @starwishing I definitely get an annoying ache, like the cramps and bleeding aren't enough 😒

@starwishing. Mine feels exactly like that during my period. Sometimes it feels that tender I could cry!

Sorry for saying vaj

On a random note. Today was cd1 for me and my vaj was throbbing at midday! Actually hurting like it had been bruised! Completely fine now though. Why is it so hard to be a girl?!

Hmmm, interesting. I've been debating reusable pads because of the environmental impact. I LOVE tampons for ease, comfort and discretion but hate the waste. Considering mooncup for similar reasons.

The two year rule is very frustrating when I know elsewhere I'd be getting help already. Especially when that's only the start of waiting lists and fumbling around in the darkness of my tumblewomb. I'm the last one of my friends and family to have children and I can't help fearing it's never going to happen.

Really? That’s crap wonky so weird how they have such different rules in different areas. And I love my mooncup although I do sometimes find myself swearing at it when I’m trying to get it in and the suction doesn’t work properly so I have to try again then I end up twanging myself in the vag trying to get it out. But once it’s in, it’s much better. You can sleep in it and leave it in for longer. Although I read an article lately RE TSS and mooncups and apparently they’re worse for it due to the air between your cervix and the mooncup once it’s suctioned in being a breeding ground for bacteria or something or other. I don’t know how true that is. I always sterilise mine before I use it anyway. I would recommend one over tampons any day though, so much better for the environment as well :)

@WonkyDonk87 mooncups are the way forward. At 3am I cold t be bothered faffing and knew FP was upon me early so I just popped mine in easy as you like without effort. Plus there's no grim chemical smell or threat of TSS

Two years TTC before they'll do anything other than bloods (only day 5 in my case as 21 pointless due to irregular cycle). So fed up. Sorry your FP is crap. How's the mooncup? I've been meaning to get one for ages.