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!!

@Loz2467 makes sense to have a break from clomid, especially if you're having a hard time with the side effects 😔 I'm on utrogestan 200mg x 3 a day, mornings lunch and night time. What about you? I find the capsules can get a little messy if I erm don't get them in far enough... Sorry if that's TMI!

I think you and @burtle4 had previously talked about being stressed and its impact on fertility. I always like to think I'm fairly stress free and relaxed about things but I went for reflexology last week and she said my left (which means present/now) was very active like I was overthinking things, so perhaps I'm subconsciously stressed!

@RugbyGirl1 yeah I’m thinking a couple of months break will do us good but then it’s also hard to take a break at the same timeS October is out of my hands though so I’ll see how I feel for September. Yeah it can be messy the next day but I’m on less than you so might not be as bad. I’m on 400mg cyclogest once at night.

Yeah stress did come to mind because of everything that happened last July! But now I’m worried it’s endo. That’s just appeared When I turned 35. From some inflammation. I don’t even know. I don’t have any other symptoms endo literally just the spotting before period but if the cyclogest is stopping the spotting surely it’s low progesterone but I know low prog and endo is related. Because my temps stay high on bbt I’m thinking maybe I’ve developed endo and the cyclogest is controlling the progesterone drop. I must sound like a broken record but it’s a 2 year wait for laproscopy and I’ve already been waiting since Jan this year xxx

@RugbyGirl1 just to check in how you are getting on. Unfortunately for me cycle number 4 on progesterone hasn’t worked 😞 I’m feeling so deflated after 2 easy conceptions and this since my miscarriage. I had so much hope it was going to work. I’m at the clinic for an IVF appointment next week but I’m struggling to understand how it’s come to this and also the financial costs for such little chance of success xx

@Loz2467 randomly I was just wondering how you were getting on earlier today! So sorry to hear that the progesterone hasn't worked so far but don't give up, you've successfully got pregnant twice already so it's definitely possible. Just so frustrating when you can't work out why it's suddenly become so difficult. Good luck with the IVF appointment, hopefully you'll be one of those cases that ends up getting pregnant just before the appointment 🤞

@burtle4 aw that’s so kind of you! I know I’m completely blown away how I’ve got pregnant easily twice and now I’m here contemplating such a large sum of money. It just all feels like a bad dream. It’s exactly 2 years ago this month since I last got pregnant.

Me and my partner agreed to do 2 more months of the progesterone which takes us to the new year but I’m feeling impatient hence me booking the appointment. However I work in retail so really what are the chances of a transfer before Christmas when it’s my busiest time of year. So am I better off riding out the rest of the year on the progesterone but then have all the paperwork sorted and signed and my screening bloods done ready for the new year xxx

Hi @Loz2467 lovely to hear from you although I'm sorry that the progesterone hasn't worked and you're looking at IVF. Do you have to go private or can you go via NHS?

I had a private fertility consultant meeting after NHS just said wait it out. She prescribed me progesterone to try from 2dpo... Which seemed to be the magic bullet as I got pregnant that round! It's still early days, I'm 8+3 by LMP. Had an early scan at 6+4 and was measuring a little behind although there was a heartbeat so got a follow up scan booked for tomorrow. I'm pretty worried as had hardly any symptoms but no bleeding or cramping etc so will just have to see what's there tomorrow!

Difficult to tell if it was the progesterone or just luck - it was almost a year to the day since my last (unsuccessful) pregnancy.

@RugbyGirl1 gentle congrats! I hope your scan goes well tomorrow. I know you’ve probably heard of before but when they are so small it’s easy to measure out by a couple of days at that point 💗 heartbeat is great news!

it will have to be paid privately not NHS funded so it’s a big decision. I’d pay anything knowing it would work but it’s such slim chances isn’t it! It’s crazy how it seems to be the missing piece for so many people but it still hasn’t worked for me. I can’t understand xxxx

@burtle4 @RugbyGirl1 I can’t help but think it must be an implantation issue for me. Even though I’ve had my hysterscopy I just can’t help but think about my spotting and about how the texture of my period has changed post miscarriage. Xx

@RugbyGirl1 congratulations! That's lovely news, I know you're going to be naturally cautious, but seeing a heartbeat is a big achievement. I'm sure everything will go well tomorrow, good luck! I wondered if it was just coincidence that I got pregnant on progesterone but I think it would be a pretty big coincidence given how long it took us, and how quickly it happened when i was on it. There's definitely something in it and I definintely think doctors should consider it more.
@Loz2467 it took me nearly 2.5 years to finally get a positive test after three fairly easy conceptions (two children, one mmc) I was exactly the same as you, so so confused as to why it wasn't happening. I really hope you get the answers you need soon - and I think you should definitely stick with the progesterone for another couple of months x

@burtle4 Thank you always for your replies. It can feel so lonely trying to figure this out. I know that’s true I do remember you saying 3 fairly easy conceptions. It’s so hard to make sense of. I’ve had hormone tests. The camera done. Everything I can think of. Worried if it’s lining issues or egg quality really.

I work in retail so If you was me would you wait till the new year to start IVF. I can potentially start from my period in November but in hindsight is that really a good move when im a manager in a retail store that’s open 10-10 and I’ll struggle to get to scans and blood tests etc. I do have 2 more months of cyclogest and to be honest maybe it is a good idea to try it without the clomid. I’ve only ever done it with clomid. I didn’t use the estrogen this cycle as I’ve heard it can slow down the development of the follicles - they use it in FETs. The Dr even said he didn’t fully believe in it.

So I could still have my appointment next Tuesday - although it’s a fortune. See if he has any other options for the last few months of the year but maybe a cycle no clomid.

@RugbyGirl1 I agree with the above seeing a heartbeat is brilliant news! Fingers crossed for tomorrow and keep us updated xx

@Loz2467 if I were you I would give it until January, continuing with the progesterone but as you said maybe not the clomid as you should be able to tell from taking your temperature whether you're ovulating or not?
I know it's so much easier said than done but maybe just try and go with the flow a bit for the next couple of months. You've done everything you can to try and help the situation so now just try and relax and see if not focusing on it so much may help? As I said, it's the stupidest thing to suggest because it's impossible not to think about it when it's all you want and out of your control but try and take some time for yourself to destress (although again, probably easier said than done working in retail in the run up to Christmas 😂)

@burtle4 Thanks for the advice I do think I need to try and ride it out till the new year as I guess I don’t want my body under extra stress during IVF.

I do really worry about the spotting starting the month of my vaccine. I’ve seen a few women on forums etc that have said the same but I can’t understand it. I know It doesn’t happen to many people but I feel it’s what’s happened to me. :( xx

Hello ladies,
I am new to this thread and want to thank you all for sharing your stories as there isnt much out there about spotting Before AF. I am 32years old mother to a 3 and 1 year old. Ive always had spotting before my period but never paid attention to it until few months ago ive had every test under the sun been to 3 gynecologist and drs they all say its normal nothing to worry about which is a good thing to hear but at the same time i question as to something must be triggering it. I speak to alot of mothers and no one has this spotting issue. I am at my wits with it and basically have given up on trying to find an answer to the case. Have any of you ladies found a reason to why we have spotting before AF?

@Yas90 for me it was my progesterone dropping too quickly after ovulation, as soon as I started using progesterone pessaries it stopped. Are you TTC? Weirdly now I'm not trying and have had my final baby and my period has reset himself I'm not spotting anymore, possibly just the day before it starts but nowhere near what it was doing!

@burtle4 We have been TTC funny you say this my period isnt due for another 4days and i couldnt be paitent enough to wait to test as im always spotting before my period i tested an hour ago and its come back saying positive but very faintly. But what annoys me is no dr or gyno have an answer for spotting. So when i question them that if theres no answer it must be normal there response is its not uncommon. Just frustrating

Congratulations! What a lovely start to December for you! Yes it's very frustrating, every doctor I spoke to didn't seem to think it was a thing and I had to request to go on progesterone pessaries when I got referred to a specialist (due to overly long periods and secondary infertility, not the spotting itself) Even he didn't suggest progesterone could be the issue and sort of had a 'well it couldn't hurt' attitude when I asked! I got pregnant the second month of being on them.

@burtle4 Thank you! However its still early days i took 2 different pregnancy test one says pregnant the other says not pregnant i will test again tomorrow but when im wiping i get pinky dishcharge im afraid that this could be faulty. This is the thing with spotting you will never know if your pregnant or not and rely on a home stick . I may need to retest tomorrow morning as i will be day 27 of my cycle. The drs all think now i have some anxiety issues with my period my last conversation with the dr didnt go down well i basically told her the cause of my anxiety are from all you so called professionals.

I've been pregnant four times and spotted on and off in early pregnancy with all them, even when I was on the progesterone. Maybe some people are just prone to spotting! Hopefully it's just a bit of implantation for you. Good luck!

@burtle4 Is it possible for pregnancy test to be faulty my period isnt really due for another 3days how ever ive been having this pinky discharge for almost 4days can implantation bleed go for this long?

@Yas90 I think if you got a positive then it's probably true, unless it was an evaporation line, did it come up in the time frame? My spotting when pregnant would go on for a few days, stop for a bit, come back. Never really any pattern to it! But the danger with testing too early I suppose is that you can pick up a very early pregnancy that may not stick and you would have just assumed was your period if you hadn't tested. I hope it sticks, maybe test again tomorrow and see if the line gets any stronger?

@burtle4 Im affraid i dont think im peegannt the spotting has turned a bit heavy and brighter red in colour must be period will start in a few days. Can this have been a chemical pregnancy?

@Yas90 oh I'm sorry, if it's getting heavier then yes, quite possibly a chemical. Had you been trying long?

Thats okay ill just keep trying. We have been trying since July so not really that long. But spotting issue before my period really annoys me i just never know so i just have to test early. 🙃

@Yas90 yes, the spotting always used to get me down, I'd convince myself it must be implantation every time because it was so early but it would always end up as my period 😓 Good luck x

@burtle4 Its very weird aye and this spotting or dishcharge whatever you call it goes for exactly a week before period is due and no matter who you tell they day ohhh its probably implantation bleeding. Ive literally just laughed and walked off because deep down i know its definitely not my period is around the corner. Can i ask if you dont ovulate do you still get a period?