Spotting / brown discharge before AF

[Whysoserious]

Have written about this in other topics but am rather confused so wanted to start a discussion specifically about it.

For the last 4 months I have experience 3/4 days of spotting before AF starts in full flow. I have been to the doctor about it and have had an examination (which showed up a cervical erosion, possible cause of the spotting) and and ultrasound (which came up all clear).

I am convinced there is something more to it than just the ectropion (cervical erosion) though as bleeding due to that would not be related to cycle, it would be at any time and at random - whenever that erosion is irritated (after sex etc). But this isn't the case, it is cyclical and I also get cramps with it.

This month I had cramps for nearly a week before the spotting started and today am on day four of spotting and as yet no AF. The spotting is basically brown discharge and has left each day approx half a 5p mark on the pad (appart from the first day when it was about a 10p sized stain).

I am also confused as to what cycle day I am on because I have been counting from the first day of spotting but now think that maybe I should count from first day of full AF. I have done 5 HPTs all BFN - but am also worried that if I should be counting full flow AF as day one then as I'm not there yet then I actually could be testing too early.

I dont really know what I'm asking in all this but I suppose I just want to hear from people that have had similar experiences to this and any advice because it has thrown me and I know something is not right :-(

You should count your cycle from the first day of full flow, I too have spotting and I think it's just when your cervix starts to open a smal amount of blood is released and it shows brown due to
it being old blood when it shows on
a pad,

Good luck for your ttc journey :)

I have this and haven't really got to the bottom of it. It can be anywhere from 2-7 days before AF and starts brown moving through pink to red. It can be a symptom of endo but in my case a laparoscopy has ruled that out. I am far from an expert but did wonder if the cramping you suggest could also be indicative of endo? I know endo cannot be diagnosed via ultrasound, I think you need a lap is the only way to confirm it.

Pre-AF bleeding can also suggest a progesterone deficiency...essentially if progesterone falls too soon it triggers you to start bleeding too soon. I'm now taking Clomid (I also don't seem to ovulate every month and cycles vary from 26-42 days) and only had one full cycle so far but it extended my luteal phase and resulted in 48hours of very light pink spotting before full AF, which is a definite improvement for me.

You should definitely count cd1 as the first full day of AF, don't count spotting.

HTH.

I have this too, sometimes up to a week before AF. It can be a sign of low progesterone but can also be normal so don't worry too much. I'm surprised your gp didn't have your progesterone levels checked though, esp since your are ttc. I will say though, that even if you do turn out to have low progesterone its something that is easily fixed.

I've never actually had mine checked out slap on the wrist but you can be assurred by the fact that I conceived DC1 with no problems despite suffering from this, it may be the same for you. Currently ttc#2 but no idea if it will effect things this time round yet as only a month in. If it is low progesterone then there are a couple of natural things that might help e.g. eating zinc rich foods such as meat, fish and eggs (zinc is directly linked to progesterone levels), taking a good B-complex vitamin (B6 is good for the menstrual cycle but B-vits should all be taken together) and also something like Vitex/Agnus Castus might help.

If you've been ttc for a while then I would def ask to have your progeterone levels checked as a precaution but it really might be nothing to worry about, for some women its normal.

Oh, and I 2nd goingmadtrying, you should count your cycle from the 1st day of full AF

Good luck

xposts

Thanks for your replies ladies. It's such an annoying thing isn't it. You've given me some good advice especially re diet. I've been really unhealthy recently and put a but of weight on so i bet that doesn't help matters.

WeeLors when you got pregnant did you experience the spotting then before your BFP?

No I didn't, not a single bit of spotting throughout the whole pregnancy. We weren't actually ttc so I didn't think too deeply about it, just assumed my cycle was just sorting itself out. But then AF didn't appear either... then after a sleepless night of wondering whether we were ready/could afford it

As I say, I've no idea if it'll affect things this time round, I'm on my first 2ww (don't know how I'm going to cope with this waiting every month). Will keep you posted but I don't really expect a BFP first try anyway