does spotting a few days before AF mean low progesterone so therefore no chance of a BFP?

Saw my lovely GP this morn. In spite of only having officially TTC for 8 months she has already done hormone level blood tests, plus a thyroid function test. The results will be back in a week and then I have another apt for a lovely internal examination! Plus she's checking me for anaemia (quite likely as I'm veggie & periods are fairly heavy/clotty- sorry TMI). Makes me realise how lucky I am to have such an amenable GP. I'm only 29 but do need to "complete" my family quite quickly as I have a hip replacement that will need re-doing in a few years, so need my kids to be a bit independent by then. My GP knows all this so perhaps that's why she's letting me have investigations so early.

She did say that stress is unlikely to cause shorter periods- usually it makes cycles longer (under quite a lot of pressure at the mo so I had wondered if that explained it). And any pre-period spotting that occurs more than a day or two before the proper period starts and happens for more than 3 cycles should be investigated, especially when this is new to a woman.

Next apt is next Thurs, so hopefully will know more then.

Good luck all- do keep us posted biggernow.

PS. I haven't been temping, but keeping a close eye on cm. Apparently as my cycle length varies by up to 6 days and also as my sleep is very interrupted by DD waking temping would probably not work for me, so will have to see just what blood tests show.

After having ds my periods went like this too. I could have up to 3 days cramping and spotting before af arrived. I thought that I had a short lp because of this but actually was able to conceive dd relatively quickly. My af's have arrived again and the spotting has disappeared. I know it can be problematic for some in conceiving but for me it was ok. Sorry to hear about the chemical pregnancy - hope you have some luck soon.

Hi Ladies

I am currently being investigated for spotting before my periods. If you have been having it for more than 3 months then this is not normal. My GP has done an internal and everything looks fine (also had smear 3 months ago and all was clear) also just had swabs done to check for infection which were also clear. She is now planning to refer me to the hospital to have a camera investigation, but she is refusing to do blood tests to check hormone levels as I have only been ttc for 8 months - i am frustrated by this as I think it is probably just a hormone imbalance since my mc (July08).

Let me know how u both get on x

will watch this thread with interest- I too now have spotting up to 4 days before periods since having DD, which I never had before. Also my cycles are slightly shorter & more variable. Have been TTC for 9 cycles- no joy- yet my other 2 DCs were conceived straightaway. Off to GP on tuesday so should know more then. Hope you get some anwers soon- glad you are getting investigated too.