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Original poster

Luteal spotters and successful pregnancy?

87 replies

purplecolouroffunk · 13/02/2024 12:38

Hi everyone!

Looking for pregnancy success stories from our luteal spotters.

I know there are a few great old threads on this topic, but thought I'd start a new one for more recent stories.

I get spotting from around as soon as 5DPO, and have done for 5 years. It continues til AF 'proper' arrives, and usually stops for a couple of days in the middle.

I've had the day 21 progesterone test - it came back low BUT I've since realised I had the test at the wrong time in my cycle. I was counting day one of spotting as CD1 which I now think is not correct.

I have another progesterone test this week which will be one week from suspected ovulation. I get ovary pain and EWCM each month. I also had peak OPK from testing for the first time this month. So I suspect I am ovulating. I don't have high hopes for this next progesterone test though, because I don't see what else could be causing spotting so early after ovulation.

We've only just started TTC but I'm 35 so I'm already anticipating this being a problem - it's making me worried and getting me down. I was pretty much fobbed off by doctors for about 2 years. They said bleeding for sometimes up to 17 days is 'normal but just unlucky'. I had to go and do my own research and push to even have a hormone test done. It's crazy.

I wondered if there are any other luteal spotters here who've had successful pregnancies? I'm struggling to understand how my lining can ever build up enough to maintain a pregnancy if I'm spotting from 5DPO.

Any stories or similar experiences would be very much welcomed! 💜

OP posts:
Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 25/03/2024 15:06

@GreyHoggy ahhh thank you! I'm kind of terrified to get excited because the spotting is still going, although it's fairly light and sort of more mixed with CM. Just did another 2 easy@homes and they look the same as the one above.

Going to do my Clear Blue tomorrow with FMU and will keep you up to date.

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GreyHoggy · 25/03/2024 14:45

@purplecolouroffunk Omg!!! Congratulations!!! That's a great line for 14dpo and especially not even with fmu.

Spotting means nothing!! So happy for you😀

Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 25/03/2024 14:02

@GreyHoggy, @Frankie2607 ahhh okay omg I might have just had a BFP.

What do you think? 14dpo and this was 3rd pee of the day and quite diluted - just did the test on a whim. Could it be a evap? There is colour to it.

Off out to find a first response or similar.

Luteal spotters and successful pregnancy?
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Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 23/03/2024 22:52

Thanks everyone.

@Frankie2607 glad to hear about your progesterone! I stupidly had thought maybe it shooting up meant a BFP was on the way, so it’s good to hear about your result so I can temper expectations 😂

I have a feeling my levels are dropping too. Though it’s really confusing I was bleeding before, during, and after my test. So who knows what’s causing the bleeding. Let me know how you get on this month!

@GreyHoggy thank you! My main concern is some of this bleeding is fairly heavy, then it just goes back to light. I’m also 35 so feel like time is not on my side (so thankfully referral time is 6 months). You’re right though, at least the levels are in a good place and I’ll just have to see what happens, and get a referral when/if I need to.

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GreyHoggy · 23/03/2024 20:54

@purplecolouroffunk sorry I missed your message.
I would take it as a good sign, it means that you are ovulating and that your progesterone is high enough to get pregnant so keep going!
Its completely normal to take up to a year and if nothing has happened by then then you can get lots more tests done and they will refer you even if they can’t see anything wrong.

Frankie2607 · 23/03/2024 17:02

@purplecolouroffunk Just to update and see if it helps, I had my progesterone tested last month and it came back at 46! However, no pregnancy unfortunately.

this cycle I’m currently on day 16 and ovulation tests are saying I still haven’t ovulated yet. Once I have ovulated, 3 days afterwards im going to try supplementing with progesterone pessaries as I think my levels, although high, are dropping too soon. So gonna see if the pessaries stop the spotting…. I’ll report back!

completely understand your frustrations

Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 21/03/2024 15:02

New development. Had the result of my third progesterone test back today and it’s at 31.8 nmol/l. Much higher than it was at 21 last month!

It’s a good result, but the annoying thing now though is that my dr says she’s holding off on the gynae referral since it ‘it’s above the level we need to confirm ovulation’. Am I being unreasonable to feel like there’s still something wrong?

This month I’m at 10dpo and I’ve been spotting since 2dpo. This morning I’ve had some heavish bleeding with some small clots so wondering if AF might be here, even though she’s not due for another 4-6 days. It’s not consistent bleeding though, which makes me think it’s just heavier spotting. Once AF comes she is verrry consistent for 3/4 days.

Confused and feel at a dead end again since I’m not getting my referral 😔 I suppose I’ll just have to hope spotting also doesn’t stop me from getting pregnant.

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Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 21/03/2024 14:56

@GreyHoggy that’s exactly what I’ve been doing and have had to stop myself 😂

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GreyHoggy · 20/03/2024 09:22

Yes I totally understand, I’d desperately scour MN every time my spotting started for stories where people had their usual spotting and still got a BFP. And like you said we are all different and there are plenty of people out there who have that so I wouldn’t count yourself out just because you are spotting.

Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 19/03/2024 20:47

@GreyHoggy i bet it is! Such amazing news ❤️

That’s interesting to hear. I’d always assumed my spotting counted me out as soon as I see it, but there are so many stories of people having no spotting at all, or having their usual spotting, before a BFP. I guess our bodies are just all so different.

Your story is why I’m so gutted every time I see my spotting though. I’m sure you can relate!!

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GreyHoggy · 19/03/2024 16:05

@purplecolouroffunk thank you, after over a year of trying it's quite surreal.

No, I didn't actually get any spotting this month (apart from a tiny bit of pale pink on 10 DPO). This has never happened before so by the time I tested on the day my period was meant to be I was pretty sure it would be positive even though I had no other symptoms.

Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 19/03/2024 13:45

@GreyHoggy oh my goodness, congratulations!! That is fantastic news. Wishing you all good vibes for your pregnancy ❤️

Excellent news for spotters too! Did your spotting start as normal before your BFP? Can I ask how heavy it got and what sort of colour it was, if so?

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GreyHoggy · 19/03/2024 10:29

@purplecolouroffunk Glad they are taking it seriously and offering you another test and then you can get your referral if needed.
I was a bit different as I always started spotting on 9 DPO regardless of when I ovulated.

I actually finally got my BFP last month so currently about 6 weeks. It's still very early so not getting excited yet but at least it shows that even with spotting that getting pregnant is possible.

Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 18/03/2024 15:24

Hello my fellow luteal spotters. How is everyone?

This month I started spotting at 2dpo :( I'm at 7dpo now and still going. Mixture of sometimes more pink, sometimes more a light red. Not really anywhere near full-on AF level, but sometimes getting a little on my underwear.

I seem to start spotting on the same cycle day each month, regardless of when ovulation happens. E.g. last month I ov'd on CD14 and spotting started at CD19. This month I ov'd on CD17 and spotting started on CD19. It's really bothering me. Does anyone else have that pattern?

I had my third progesterone test today. If this one comes back lower then I'll be getting a fertility specialist referral.

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Ceraveforever · 27/02/2024 21:24

@purplecolouroffunk Thank you! I am the same… it’s so annoying , bleeding at least two weeks each month.

I take vit C, vit D, B6, CoQ10 every day and no improvement.

Plus that it’s so annoying as for half month I am “unavailable” for DTD …

At least I am not the only one!

Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 27/02/2024 20:07

@Frankie2607 it's a good idea! Have you found it less stressful this month? I was considering just going by temping this month and not doing anything else, just letting my body lead the way 😂 AF should be over in a few days so will see how that goes.

It's such a relief to know I'm not the only one too! It's so annoying isn't it. Feel like I spend half my life bleeding!! My lower end of 'normal' progesterone I'm guessing has a lot to do with it. I'm giving more vitamin C a go this month, along with the B6 I started taking a few weeks back.

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Frankie2607 · 27/02/2024 18:26

@purplecolouroffunk Will do!

I haven’t tracked this month. Seemed like a good idea at the time but now I’m like, arghhhh where am I in my cycle 😂 The most I am is 7 days I reckon.

ps from what you’ve just said to other OP, your spotting sounds exactly the same as mine. Nice to know I’m not the only one!!

Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 27/02/2024 18:05

Hey @Ceraveforever!

So the length of the luteal phase is determined by how many days there are between when you ovulate and when your actual period starts, rather than spotting.

I sometimes find it hard to determine what is spotting and what is period, cause mine gradually gets heavier in the run up. I tend to define the first proper period day as when the flow becomes heavier and is consistent.

If I went by my spotting I'd only have a 4 day luteal phase some months 😂

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Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 27/02/2024 18:00

@Frankie2607 let us know how you get on with your test results!

Ahh the old waiting game! How many dpo are you?

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Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 27/02/2024 17:59

@GreyHoggy yeah it's encouraging that hopefully it'll be easy to fix :)

It's odd as there is SO much conflicting info online about what is considered a 'normal' amount of progesterone. Some say if it's anything less than 30 nmol/l then it suggests you don't ovulate. Some say it's less than 15, some say less than 5. So who the heck knows! I'm like 90% certain I do ovulate based on a bunch of other signs.

Sorry to hear you had to miss the test this month. Let us know how you get on next month! And that's great to hear you're getting a referral :)

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Ceraveforever · 27/02/2024 14:20

Hey all experienced spotters ... just an important question please.

Does the luteal phase length is defined from ovulation day to 1st spotting day? Or from ovulation day to 1st period day?

I am a regular spotter - no one knows why despite various tests - but I am not sure if my Luteal Phase is short or ok!

Frankie2607 · 26/02/2024 20:17

Glad you got some answers @purplecolouroffunk I’ve got my day 21 blood test tomorrow, so will be intrigued by the results! Still playing the waiting game to see if we’ve caught this cycle 😬 although not feeling very optimistic!

GreyHoggy · 26/02/2024 11:07

Thanks for the update @purplecolouroffunk. Good that you are getting some movement in the right direction though and should be fairly easy to fix if it is just low progesterone. Keep us updated on any treatment they suggest.
I'm away for work so wasn't able to get in at the right time to get my progesterone tested, so will have to wait till next month unfortunately. The dr has said he will refer us to fertility clinic though due to our age and that all our other tests have come back normal.

Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 26/02/2024 10:58

Another update today. I spoke to my GP and my progesterone is actually still on the low side. Seems it was another Dr who received my results and marked them as 'satisfactory' without knowing the context to my story.

So it's at 21 nmol/l - which is a bit low. It's within a 'normal' range for the luteal phase and likely shows that I am ovulating (I feel like I know I am cause of the physical signs) but they really look for levels to be 30+.

The Dr is asking me to come in for one more test - if that is still on the low side, she's going to refer me to the fertility clinic. So at least I'm getting somewhere! I'm going to go private since I'm covered by my work's private insurance, and hopefully that will be faster.

She said of course there's always the chance that I fall pregnant before I get referral, although I'm not holding out hope on that one.

Anyway, just thought I'd keep this thread updated in case anyone is looking back on it. I find it so useful so read full stories on here, so will keep it updated :)

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Original poster
purplecolouroffunk · 20/02/2024 22:00

@Haylsttc that’s really interesting. I’m glad the B6 worked for you. Tbh I think it’s maybe been the same for me this month. I started taking it about 3 weeks ago and I’ve had spotting this month but the amount has been a lot less than usual.

That seems crazy about the progesterone test!! 12 months is such a long time. It’s also really sad that they won’t give progesterone unless you’ve already suffered a miscarriage. It seems to vary so much from region to region too.

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