Brown Spotting before AF?

[farfallarocks]

Morning ladies, I have a question for the TTC experts.

I came off the pill (Yasmine) end of January and since then my cycles have been quite short (22 or 24 days).
I am beginning to suspect a luteal phase defect (9-10 days MAX) although I am trying not to panic as I have read this can be quite common after the pill.
However for the past 2 months I have had brown spotting and cramps for 3 to 4 days before AF starts. So really the spotting is starting 5/6 days post ovulation which is obvioulsy an issue I think.

I was on the pill for 10 years and I can't remember what my cycles were like before then but I am pretty sure I did not have this spotting problem.

Has anyone had this before? I am wondering whether this is a progestorone imbalance and whether I should go and have some tests or just CHILL OUT as it really has not been that long (3rd month of properly TTC)

I am 31 TTC#1

bump

Do you know when you ovulate?

My luteal phase was always shorter after coming off the pill/having a baby/bfing. It's normal and just the hormones settling.

And the jury's out on whether a 9/10 day lp is a problem anyway. I had no problems ttc, neither have several friends with the same lp.

Give it a few months would be my gut reaction.

In terms of spotting before your period, this can be utterly normal (and it's hard to say if it's normal for you because of an extensive period on the pill). But it can also be indicative of a couple of issues, mainly hormonal. Again, might just be because of the prolonged pill usage and it'll settle down.

You can always nip to the GP and see what they say but they'll probably advise giving it a few more months at this stage.

Thanks ShowofHands.
I have been using the clear blue fertility monitor so have a pretty good idea about when I ovulate (or at least when the LH surge is) and its typically between day 12 and 15.

That is reassuring that you have not had any problems conceiving.
Will the GP send me away because it has not been a year or do you think they will test my hormones anyway (I am assuming hormonal imbalances are an issue regardless of TTC!)

Which tests should I ask for?

I don't know a lot about the actual tests but they will do basic blood tests to check you're ovulating and producing sufficient hormones throughout your cycle. I think I remember a friend having a day 3 and a day 21 blood test in the first instance. She also had her thyroid levels checked, iron levels and a full blood count.

I think it might be the luck of the draw sometimes. Generally they like to say give it a few months because actually a lot of things do resolve that way but if you mention short cycles, spotting before periods etc then they might be happy to just double check.

Any other indication of hormonal/other issues? Weight gain/loss? Hair thickening, hair springing up/loss of hair? Dizziness? Fatigue? Pain during ovulation? Period pains?

Thanks for this, I don't seem to have any other symptoms other than being a bit hairier than when I was on the pill!
GP appointment beckons I think
Thank you for your help

Hi I had my mirena coil out last August and have charted since then so I know when I ovualte, my cycles are short to, 22-24 days and my LP 10 days generally. I visted the GP and he has offered me blood tests but reassured me that as long as Im ovulating - as my charts indicate - Im ok he thinks, he didnt think there was anything wrong with a 10 day LP. I got a BFP at only 9 DPO with DS3 so I dont think its a problem for me.

Thanks duckdodgers, very reassuring!

I've always tested positive at 8/9dpo as well. As have a lot of friends.

Come back and let us know how you get on won't you?

After I came off the pill I had a ridiculous cycle. Short cycle, stacks of spotting, bleeding probs half the month, really light but nonetheless. Went on for ages. Now I've been having acupuncture for the past few months and it's sorted. Not spotting, cycles getting more like normal, and all the other discharges like they should be. Not TTC yet, but certainly my cycles are more like I felt they ought to be.

ShowofHands, I certainly will!

Thanks for that Alice, you seem to be describing my cycles exactly (apart from the in between cycle bleeding!) I have been recommended a local acupuncture lady that specialises in fertility and have booked my first appointment. She sounds lovely on the phone, very calming. I am hoping that if nothing else it might help me relax. I have only only had it once before, during some stressful exams and it really helped.

As promised, an update, spotting was actually implantation bleeding I think as I got a bfp yesterday! So excited and hoping for a sticky bean :)

Oh what a lovely ending Congrats!

Thank you :)

An update as promised - sadly had an early miscarriage which I think might be related to this spotting/low progesterone issue :(

Farfalla I'm so sorry :(

I start spotting 10/11 dpo myself so really understand your worries.

xxxxxxxxxx

Thanks Weimy, has anyone got to the bottom of your problems?

I went to see a lovely accupuncture yesterday and her view was that it was common after the pill and might sort itself out in time!

Hi. I have this. In fact this cycle I had brown spotting for 5 days prior to AF and three days after. Just finished all the tests with gynea and everything is normal. I really thought I would have a low progesterone issue, but not so. So guess I'm saying there might not be anything wrong. But we're all different. I came off the pill last Sept and have loads of spots again, like I use to have so I guess that's just my hormonal 'make-up'

Sorry about your MC

Thanks Scummy, that is reassuring :)

I've not had anything checked out yet, only been trying 8 months. xxx

My cycle is getting established after coming off pill, but i also have had this few days brown loss before af the last couple of cycles. Maybe its just part of becoming established and regular. My cycles still seem to be changng length. I ovulate day 20, and first 2 cycles were 27 days, now they are heading to more like 31 days but with brown smudgy days before. I think its really important not to start fretting about things like luteal phase defects etc without good reason, its so easy with so much information at our fingertips ( a la mumsnet).