Do you get spotting before AF / period? Come and talk to me here

[Whysoserious]

Morning ladies!

I have bleated on about spotting before AF a lot now on these conception boards and have realised that it does seem to happen to a log of people, can be for many different reasons and also people can be fobbed off by the doctors as "nothing to worry about".

My periods were normal until last August when I started getting brown spotting 4 days before AF came in full force.

I have googled and googled and there are lots of threads of women TTC with this mysterious affliction, but they only last about 20 posts so you can never find out what the outcome was. What were they treated for? Did they manage to conceive? And the one that I'm always desperate to know the minute I start spotting every month; did they get the spotting the month they conceived?

So I want this thread I be a place for TTC mumsnetters who spot before AF to come and share their experiences and stories and support. The information out there is so conflicted so it would be so good to keep this one going until we get some answers and some BFPs!!

@RugbyGirl1 amazing that you haven’t spotted this cycle! I have everything crossed for you!

I can’t believe how much infertility takes my time and energy! I never expected this - but then again no one does.

im not sure if to wait out for my laproscopy before starting the IVF route. I’m just starting to feel a little impatient.

ill let you know how the progesterone is. I’d normally start spotting tomorrow / Sunday. We go away at 2am Sunday morning so hoping my pessary would of dissolved within the few hours!

also. Will my period just start to come even when on the pessaries or do I need to stop them at 14 dpo? I can’t test - I literally can’t bear to see a negative test xx

@Loz2467 your period won't come when you're on the pessaries unfortunately so it can really mess with your head as it makes you think it must be because you're pregnant. You have to test on day 14 and if it's negative stop the pessaries, your period should then start within a few days. It is the hardest part of taking progesterone because every part of you wants to believe that you're pregnant (which of course there's every chance you could be) but at least you know it means it's doing the job it's supposed to do by keeping the bleeding at bay and keeping your lining in tact. The first month i was on them and i got a negative was hard to take, but the second month, I was so ready for it to be another negative and it was finally the positive I'd been waiting over 2 years for ❤️

@burtle4 thank you! I did wonder if this was the case. I’m dreading seeing the negative. 😩 but I guess it has to be done. I mean what sadness is it going to bring after 15 months of heartache anyway! It can’t really make me feel any worse that’s for sure! I’ll be on hols so I’ll have to buy some and pack them. I’m really not a tester I don’t even like doing ovulation testing! 🙈 xxx

@burtle4 i also can’t believe this is what worked for you after 2 years! Xx

@burtle4 @Bubblybub I’m 11 or 12 dpo and no spotting!!! Seems like after 12 months of this brown spotting it is low progesterone after all. I’m going to stop the pessaries in a couple of days, 2 more nights. Not looking forward to my period being here on holiday when it’s so hot etc and having my clomid side effects but I can’t change it.

I know this sounds crazy but now im thinking why do I have low estrogen and low progesterone - am I having a weak ovulation or is it an egg quality issue? I just don’t know? But then you guys still got pregnant. Im just stressing because it started last July after my covid vaccine. But then again we got the babies post mortem results that month. It was the due date. I just thought I’d be Pg again by the babies due date etc so wonder if it is raised cortisol and stress? I just don’t know. I know I should be thinking I’ve found something to “fix and help” but then still worried i won’t get Pg if there is a bigger issue with me.

Glad there’s no spotting. There isn’t a reason behind it. Some people just have low progesterone for no reason. I use to be in so much pain during ovulation so I wouldn’t even say mine was weak. Yet I still had low progesterone. It’s just where your hormones aren’t balanced. They can get out of whack from pregnancy, miscarriages, lifestyle, stres. Anything! So try not to stress about the ‘reason’ behind it. what matters is that the progesterone has stopped the spotting. Have you tested yet? Don’t come off it til you test on day14. X

@Bubblybub yeah your right maybe I need to not worry why and remember that I’ve got this to help me now. I always feel my ovulation too and never had issues getting Pg before have i so I’m praying this is the answer! I did a test this morning and BFN like I expected. I usually know when I’m pg. i need to try and think now that we’ve had everything tested even a camera done so just have to keep trying and hope that one month it happens!

I havent commented on here in years, currently at 4.5 years ttc!

Spotting has got better, it used to be a good 7 days before, now its only 2 ish days.

Currently taking vitamin D and coq10.

I have progesterone cream in the cupboard but never actually used it, when do I start taking it from?

Weve been through the fertility clinic and had all tests done and nothing stands out as an issue, currently trying to lose weight to have ivf.

Sorry for the quick run down but lost my original message!

@Loz2467 sorry that it was negative but please don't give up, at least you know it's working and now it's just a question of catching the egg! Easier said than done but just try and relax and enjoy your holiday!
@MrsChicken89 sorry to hear that it's still not happening for you. I would definitely try progesterone although it sounds like you've got your spotting under control which is great. I never used the cream but I guess you start using it after ovulation like the pessaries x

@MrsChicken89 sorry it hasn’t happened for you yet but it definitely sounds like you’ve got your spotting under control which is amazing. Just tough keeping going when nothing is identified.

@burtle4 i had my last pessary Wednesday evening and still waiting for AF. No brown spotting yet so I’m hoping I go straight to flow like you said. Just want it to be here now though so I can get started with the next cycle. I really do hope it’s a case of catching the egg now. Am I literally starting fresh? I was gonna go for IVF before Xmas but I’m thinking I should at least do 6 months TTC. Because technically I’ve not had any “normal” months have I? Xx

@Loz2467 I've just looked at my old chart and I took my last one on the Tuesday evening and my period came on the Saturday so hopefully yours will be here by tomorrow? The wait is really annoying because I remember just wanting to get on with the next cycle! Yes I would definitely give it a few cycles before worrying because it is like starting fresh and they say on average it takes 6 months to get pregnant when everything is normal x

@burtle4 oh amazing thank you! Hopefully mine will be here tomorrow then. I’m away with work so I need it here asap so I don’t miss the fertile window. I know that’s what I maybe need to keep reminding myself that this is like starting a fresh. I think I’m just worried incase there’s any other issues that I don’t know of yet even though I’ve had a lot of tests and surgery just panicking somethings been missed because it does seem odd to go from easy conception to nothing but I’m hoping and praying that it’s just the low progesterone and my Dr will continue to prescribe them to me. Xx

I’ve woken up with brown spotting :( I was hoping it was just going to go straight to flow. I know the length of time has been fine etc for my luteal and grateful for no spotting from 7 dpo but I just wanted a normal period like I used to have. :(

I was being too impatient! It did turn into full AF yesterday. A little lighter but it’s properly today. Also sorry for TMI but my AF since my loss have also changed in texture. They are more “slippery” and like slick! I’ve looked online and saw about estrogen which could be a problem as it’s meant to be low through menstrual period and my hormones are definitely off balance somewhere but then I also saw a lot of things saying not to worry. Not sure if it’s my age or what?? Kind of stresses me out though. Starting my last month or clomid this evening.

@Loz2467 how are you getting on? Hope this month has gone by quickly, you must be coming towards the end of your cycle again? 🤞

Hey @burtle4 that’s so kind of you to remember and check in! I’ve not been good! Medicated cycle number 2 was a fail and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I just can’t understand this issue after no previous problems :( I’ve decided to try and stop looking for a reason like you said. It’s not my thyroid etc and sometimes these things can just happen. It’s just not something I want till menopause if I’m not lucky enough to have another baby. We’ve said we may try IVF in the new year then we’ve tried everything. I’m finding it so so tough. We should have a one year old not battling secondary infertility after loss. I hope your okay. Xx

@Loz2467 I'm so sorry, I was really hoping for good news 😔 Please don't give up, at least you've explored every avenue so you know there's nothing physically wrong. It's the hardest thing to do and the worst advice to give but just try and relax and enjoy life again, put the pressure of it all to one side for a few months and it may happen. I think you should try continuing with the progesterone if you can because it clearly helps and just remember that on average it takes 6 months to get pregnant so like you said, maybe wait until the new year until you look into IVF. Interestingly I've just had my first period since having my baby 8 months ago and it was a very straightforward, no spotting, 5 day bleed. It's like my body has reset itself - or maybe it's because I'm not stressing, who knows?!
The one thing I will say is there is a baby waiting to be born and he or she will be the most perfect thing. When it arrives you will thank God that none of the other eggs made it or you wouldn't have the baby in your arms that was meant to be. I think that all the time about my 2 years of trying for our third - if any of the other attempts had worked i wouldn't have my beautiful baby boy, and I wouldn't change him for the world 💙

Aw thank you @burtle4 I nearly messaged on the thread last week when I got a negative but I didn’t want to being anyone down. :( I said to my partner if I didn’t need medication I’d just “not try” and see what happened but because I feel like I’ve no chance of conceiving with spotting from 5/7 dpo I have to take my medication which is frustrating. I’m going to keep going with it. I’ve got 2 more cycles left after this one but I’m going to push him for 1 more because it’s only 5cycles of progesterone. Then that takes us right to Xmas and I’m away my fertile week on October with work but the month off meds and TTC might be just what I need. I pray your right and I will one day have that sibling for my boy! It’s so cruel when it all got taken away and then I was hit with this infertility. Do you think maybe stress can trigger it? After researching a while back seems like stress or early menopause etc. Thats great you’ve had no spotting :) it could be a bit of both. A reset and less stress and not thinking about it. Last month when I was on hols I didn’t have spotting into period it just started on the Sunday. This month was the same in terms of stopping the prog on the weds but I got brown spotting Friday and Saturday and period tried to start the Sunday - I had enough time to implant but I was extremely stressed and I spotted. Not sure if it’s linked but we will see. I started my clomid again last night. Here’s to month number 3 🤞🏼 Xx

I think stress does play a big part so try to de-stress in any way you can! Good luck, will be keeping everything crossed for you 🤞🤞

Thanks @burtle4 I felt really low again this month during the days taking the clomid. The side effects aren’t great but needs must. Someone made a good point actually. Because I’m spotting for a whole week my progesterone is obviously dropping but it’s not dropping enough for full flow? So maybe it’s only a slight drop in progesterone. Last month when I had the prog blood test on the first day of brown spotting it was 21 n mol. I thought anything over 30 was best for pregnancy but I’m not sure now and I don’t know if I’m wasting more time before starting IVF. I just can’t understand why it’s happened and I can’t help but think of the vaccine.

@Loz2467 I think you're the same as me in that progesterone levels dropped enough to start the shedding of the lining but not enough to bring on the full flow. Levels are supposed to be above 30 but mine were always in the twenties. Doctor was trying to tell me it's because I hadn't ovulated but I knew I had because I was taking my bbt every morning. I'm sure the same thing must be happening to you so just keep at it for a few more months, I'm sure you'll get there!

@burtle4 yeah I remember yours being prolonged spotting too! It’s just so hard isn’t it and then me wanting to know why it’s happened and things have changed with my body because If the meds don’t get me pregnant do I have to put up with spotting for the rest of my life. I’ll just have to have some hope for the next couple of cycles! Thanks for always listening.

You're welcome, it feels like such a lonely time but there are so many women out there going through the same and it's good to support each other. I swore to myself if I found out what was wrong and ended up getting pregnant I would try and help as many others as I could to do the same x

Hey ladies, I had posted on this thread a little while back but not recently. Had an appointment with a private fertility consultant earlier this month and she prescribed progesterone to see if that will help with spotting. Only 4dpo so will let you know how it goes 🤞

@Loz2467 sorry to hear about the side effects of clomid. How do you find progesterone as I've heard that can have varying side effects too?

Thanks @burtle4 it’s such a lonely time and I’m constantly thinking why. Why all of a sudden this Imbalance and not able to conceive. I feel desperate for a sibling for our boy and it makes me so sad that we had it then lost her :(

@RugbyGirl1 that’s great you managed to get the progesterone. What mg are you on? I’ll have everything crossed for you this cycle. This month will be my third one on progesterone. I actually barely had side effects from it just cramping when you initially put it in but that’s it really. Clomid feels like the devil 🙈 but I’m having the next 2 months off clomid because first month I need a break and the second month I’m away with work in my fertile week so I’m not experiencing side effects for nothing or wasting a month.