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Conception

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Original poster

Spotting before period

42 replies

Mommybear05 · 29/10/2020 23:51

Hi everyone I wondered if we have any spotters here? Anyone who constantly spots during the week before their period?

Background information about me... I have a son who will be 2 in December. Since he was born dh and I used no protection and wanted a small age gap between our kids. I bf him for 17 months. 13 of those months I had no periods. Period returned in the January when he was 13 months. Got pregnant that cycle. Miscarried in March (it was a blighted ovum) and since then my periods have ranged from 26- 31 days, with them generally being on the shorter side of 26/27 days. I’ve been using clear blue opks and I know I’m ovulating regularly on cd 13/14 every month. My luteal phase is a steady 12-13 days. But I’m having spotting each month anywhere between cd22-25. This is always 4-7 days before my period is due. The spotting is usually 8-10 dpo. In the early days I always thought it was implantation bleeding but this never seems to be the case, although I did have a chemical pregnancy this month.
I read that spotting in the luteal phase can be a sign of low progesterone. I had my cd21 blood tests and they came back normal.
I went to the gp a lot of times and after much drama and stress and chasing and nagging I have finally got a gynaecologist referral, but it was a battle despite my many google searches telling me spotting 4 or more days before your period is out of the ordinary. I was told there’s a 40 week (yes 4.0.) waiting list today to see the gynaecologist. I’ll try and call the department and see what they can do considering that I’ve been asking my gp for a long time for this referral. We will consider paying to go private in the new year if we still have no signs of help and can raise some funds.
So is there anyone out there with similar experiences? Anyone who spots after ovulation and before their period? Thank you.

OP posts:
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Pickles91 · 26/09/2022 19:52

Sorry, just saw the part on progesterone. If that’s helped, the docs may keep you on that until pregnant (sending positive vibes and baby dust) and through your first trimester ☺️

Pickles91 · 26/09/2022 19:50

Hi @Loz2467, another PP here (but name changed). I was spotting anywhere from 10 days to 2 days before AF and it was confirmed to be an erosion/ectropian. It was twice treated with silver nitrate this year. The first treatment didn’t work and I have no clue about the second treatment because I fell pregnant before my next AF arrived (treatment was during my LP) and am now 10+3 weeks! No spotting so far during the pregnancy, but my mum was the same with her erosion (as in the spotting stopped during pregnancy) and she had no treatment

Loz2467 · 26/09/2022 09:06

@2020mission Thats really good! Thank you for sharing all this information with me. It’s so hard TTC and having issues when never had them before isn’t it.

Another thing making me think it isn’t the cervix issue is that since I’ve started taking progesterone after ovulating it’s stopped the spotting making me think is it low progesterone or not. I just don’t know :( I think IVF might be on the cards but then I’m worried if that doesn’t work xx

2020mission · 26/09/2022 08:45

Yeah @Loz2467 it's a mystery at times what causes it but it certainly didn't seem to stop my conceiving in the end so definitely keep positive! I can't say about the covid vaccine as I didn't have it until after I had my baby. I did have a day or so of spotting during my first trimester (around 7 weeks) with my successful pregnancy and was convinced I was miscarrying again but all was fine. I was told it was likely caused again by hormones/cervical irritation. The rest of the pregnancy there wasn't a spot of blood at any point.

Loz2467 · 26/09/2022 08:39

@2020mission Thank You so much for responding. Congrats on your little one! 💗 That’s such great news it didn’t stop you conceiving. I’m worried as mine starts 7 days after ovulating. Or even 5. So how would it even have chance to implant? I’ve had my smear too last year and she said no sign of that - because it is something I asked about. I was on the pill but it was 6 years ago now and had a successful pregnancy since and then my miscarriage which was Feb 2021. Had normal cycles April, May and June then the spotting started July which was covid vaccine month. I guess naturally we look for something to blame but I can’t figure out what else it could be. Xx

2020mission · 26/09/2022 08:18

@Loz2467 I posted here before but just to update, I was never a spotter until I started TTC in January 2020. I had a chemical pregnancy that first month trying and since then the spotting pre AF started (3-4 days in the run up to AF). Eventually went to the GP for a smear in March 2021 and she said I had cervical erosion which is common in those on hormonal contraceptives but the only contraceptive I have ever used is condoms so no hormones. I don't know what the deal was but I suspect the failed pregnancy might have lead to the spotting as it started after that. I had one further chemical in August 2020 and then finally conceived again in April 2021, a month after the smear. My periods haven't came back yet due to still breastfeeding so can't comment on post pregnancy AF yet. I can say the month I conceived my successful pregnancy I had no spotting at all.

Loz2467 · 24/09/2022 11:04

I there anyway update on this thread? :)

Ive too been having a week of brown spotting before my period since my covid vaccine and a miscarriage a few mornhs prior to that but it started after the vaccine.

Loz2467 · 18/11/2021 21:02

Is anyone still on this thread 🥰

Robins21 · 14/05/2021 15:44

Hope you dont mind me asking but did you have the spotting whimst pregnant in 1st tri still? Theyve mentioned cervical erosion to me too. I m
Had a mc 9 weeks ago and on my 2nd cycle and have spotted now for 6 days prior to my expected period xxx

AdriannaP · 05/11/2020 12:53

@Mommybear05 in theory yes. But who knows when they will be considering lockdown now.
I have one DC, then had 3 MCs. I also just had a smear done and everything with my cervix looks fine.

With my last pregnancy I took vit B, high dose folic acid, progesterone twice a day, low dose aspirin, and blood thinners. Still miscarried.

I am convinced that the spotting is related to chemical pregnancies/failed implantation as I don’t spot when I don’t TTC. And have never done before.

unicornpower · 05/11/2020 10:52

I used to spot 4-5 days before AF when i came off the pill, i probably had this for a year and then we conceived, sadly we MC but since then i havent had spotting before AF. I take pregnacare now too which may have helped with hormones :)

Original poster
Mommybear05 · 05/11/2020 10:48

@Daffodil21 afraid not, I have fallen into a bit of a rut with my food it has to be said. And excercise too. So I feel this is something I need to address. My progesterone did come back as fine though.

OP posts:
Daffodil21 · 05/11/2020 10:42

Hi, I haven't FTFT so sorry if this has already been said.

Have you tried eating lots of progesterone boosting foods?m such as lentils, whole grains and cruciferous veggies?

Original poster
Mommybear05 · 05/11/2020 10:39

@ashlee89 I’ve just ordered b6 and b12 from Holland and Barrett last night. I’d been on vitex for ages and it didn’t seem to work so I’m hoping I get some luck too!

@AdriannaP so sorry to hear of your mcs it truly is heartbreaking. Are you being offered any further investigation? Xx

OP posts:
ashlee89 · 05/11/2020 08:35

@selina37 @Mommybear05

Thank you so much ladies.
Obviously it's early days and taking it one day at a time and manifesting all the good.

I hope you girls get yours soon.
I feel the cycle I started using b6. Coincidence maybe. But I feel like it helped.

Again thank you Smile

selina37 · 05/11/2020 07:18

Congratulations @ashlee89 ! Great news!

AdriannaP · 05/11/2020 07:12

I had the same. I think it was failed implantation. I was prescribed progesterone but sadly still miscarried (third miscarriage). I only spot before my period in the months I am TTC.

Original poster
Mommybear05 · 05/11/2020 07:09

@ashlee89 Wow congratulations Flowers so pleased for you! Wishing you a very happy and healthy pregnancy! Yes just goes to show we can still fall when spotting so this has certainly lifted my spirits too! They didn’t tell me my actual progesterone level, they just said that it was ok.
I’ve just ordered b vitamins from Holland and Barrett, b6 and b12. I hear these help with the luteal phase. Has anyone tried them before?

OP posts:
ashlee89 · 04/11/2020 23:40

@Mommybear05

The results came back really well. Progesterone level was 38.

And I just got my BFP.

Very early days but 🤞🏻🤞🏻.

So in my case it goes to show that spotting doesn't mean you won't fall pregnant.

Spotting before period
MythicalBiologicalFennel · 02/11/2020 22:36

I get this too - in my case it's due to a cervical erosion which started towards then end of my first pregnancy. It's never stopped me conceiving, I conceived first try twice since the spotting started. I've had it for almost 10 years now, had it cauterised but it made no difference.

Good luck with TTC OP.

ReiRiko · 02/11/2020 22:28

It used to happen to me. It used to drive me insane. At one point I had 2 periods a month. I saw the gynaecologist so many times and did tests and they didn't know what was wrong. They just told me I had very low progesterone and I wasn't ovulating naturally. I believe it has to do with the combination of stress and diet. I noticed that with a diet low on processed sugar and carbs fixed the problem straight away for me. I also took myo-inositol supplements which helps with insulin resistance and PCOS. With the change in diet I managed to also ovulation naturally. I hope this helps you out my lovely!

BobbingAlong91 · 02/11/2020 21:30

Hey @selina37! The first time it happened, no one mentioned the luteal phase relationship, but both my doctor and gyne mentioned it this time. I believe it is something to do with hormones, as you say. Progesterone dropping I think?

So sorry to read of the CPs and MCs. I have everything crossed for positive outcomes for everyone. This bleeding nonsense can be so disheartening, but sending lots of baby dust

Original poster
Mommybear05 · 02/11/2020 20:23

@2020mission were pretty much the same boat... sorry to hear about your chemicals. For me the same I spot and I know it’s not good and I always secretly wish it’s implantation. And I’m also waiting until it’s a year. I have to wait til March though as that’s when I miscarried otherwise I too could be seen in January. I worry with covid what the treatment will be like. I feel very upset that I’m having to wait a full year even though I’ve had a mc, a cp and months and months of spotting between periods in luteal phase. Something is clearly not right. But I have to wait a year. And like I say with covid even when the year is up I worry about how long it will take.
I’ve been referred to gynaecologist but I worry they will fob me off and tel me it’s normal like my go did. And I wonder when I will get an appointment ☹️

OP posts:
Original poster
Mommybear05 · 02/11/2020 20:19

@ashlee89 hi how did your blood test go? Did you have any spotting yet over the last few days??

OP posts:
selina37 · 01/11/2020 18:26

@BobbingAlong91 hello! Hope you don't mind me gatecrashing.
I also have cervical erosion. I spot before my period too.
When you were diagnosed, was it mentioned that the bleeding from the erosion is specifically in the luteal phase? I've often wondered this; that it is due to the LP hormones that allow it to bleed.

Glad to here it doesn't prevent conception. It's so disheartening seeing blood every month. Xx