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!!

It does indicate that sugar is bad for the Qi spleen deficiency... but a few months ago - July- October really - I was eating very healthy, barely any sugar Except fruit, etc, lots of lentils quinoa etc and was still getting spotting that whole time. All I’m saying is dont feel bad about enjoying the holiday season since clearly eating crazy healthy didn’t help me!

Hi all,
I'm happy to find this discussion!
I stopped the pill in August and have been TTC and spotting ever since. I have regular cycles and I started tracking ovulation for 3 months. It seems to be OK.
But my spotting tends to get worse every cycle, it lasts longer now...
I have little bleeding that comes around ovulation (at first two or three days consecutively after ovulation, but this cycle is 4 days after ovulating) and then 3 to 4 days before AF.
Does anyone experience the same?
I hope this is normal!
Hoping I can read more success stories of women that can get pregnant while spotting!

Thanks @RealSmart1459 I will bear that in mind I've been ttc a year now and it's been a stressful one on top of that I really need to enjoy this Xmas haha.

Hi @Morgane777 I have read some people spot around if and that is normal but I would say in a couple of months maybe go to gp. I did and the ran a few basic tests- all fine so they kind of lost interest and I didn't push as I had read that ppl can still get pg. however I'm now a year in so I have a gynae appointment on the 17th. I don't want to be negative but I'm also not holding out much hope for her getting to the bottom of it or being that interested. I'm pretty sure it's hormonal so really need an endocrinologist or fertility specialist. I'll update on here either way after. I'm so glad for this thread haha I def feel a bit less alone.

Spot around Ov that should say.

Also one of my tests found I had slightly underactive thyroid. So I've been treated for that a year and a half. But sadly it didn't stop my spotting. Worth mentioning if either of you do go to gp and have any other symptoms as it's quite a common condition and it effects your hormones.

@orangeloo Thanks a lot for your answer! Please keep us updated after your visit on the 17th! We are surely a lot looking for some answers.
I have indeed an underactive thyroid, but it has been under control for a couple of years. This month, my doctor decided to increase my dose a little bit (I received only a message from the nurse, so I don't know the reasons for this decision. I'll be seeing him on January or February -still waiting for my appointment). I hope this will help. I started with the new increased dose this month, so maybe the next cycle will get better.
I have read a lot of scientific literature about Ovulation bleeding. It seems to be an old subject (the papers published about this are really old) and new studies only focus on women under the pill. No one seems to continue research about this. What I concluded after some readings is that is a condition that has been observed in some mammals, like chimps LOL... they have a tendency to bleed mid-cycle, when ovulating. So it seems like an accepted fact, but no one seems to understand why this happens. They have even reported some cases when women had some pain, that did the job with their husbands and they had success in pregnancy! It seems you can track ovulation with this little bleeding and a bit of pain. But my spotting is afterwards....
As for the other mid-cycle spotting (not in relation with ov) this seems to worry me the most. I have passed fertility tests and all seems OK, so I think it has something to do with hormones indeed. So, it doesn't seem as something dangerous, but I don't find any answers as if it affects fertility or not. That's why I hope to read real cases and hope to get positive pregnancy stories with mid-cycle bleeding
SORRY FOR THE LONG POST!

@Morgane777 that's good they put your dose up anyway as ideally Tsh should be 1.5 or lower to conceive - yet another hurdle to get over. Mine isn't that low yet, blood test on 19th- fingers crossed.

That's interesting about ovulation bleeding seems nothing to worry about like you say and may be hormones shifting after Ov.
Crazy how we have to do so much research for ourselves. Female reproductive system is so complex and our regular gp's aren't experts sadly.

I have read of women getting pg with spotting so it doesn't make me lose all hope, but they do seem few and far between so it's still something I'd like to get to bottom of.

@orangeloo I really do think is a good thing the doctor decided to put my dose up. I read somewhere that TSH at 1 is the target...
Hope your blood test will give you some good news!
I hope the new dose will also help with my spotting. I'm looking forward to see the doctor in January... I'm hoping he will also test my progesterone levels at the luteal phase (they were tested at follicular and came OK).
For instance, I think I'll just have to relax during the holidays!

@orangeloo take a look at this thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/3757888-Constant-spotting-between-ovulation-period
Spotting seems normal for some....

Thanks @Morgane777 this is good to see. X

I’ve been doing way too much googling on this and there are lots of people who seem to get pregnant with the spotting but honesty it would be nice to have a reason for it! Especially since last time I had spotting for so long. Trying to take more b complex vitamins in the hopes that might help....

@RealSmart1459 I agree I'd still like to know a reason. There must be one.

@Morgane777 keep us informed of your test results

I'll let u know how I get on with my gynae appointment- not holding out too much hope on this.

Alright so I can confirm the spotting did not interfere with me getting pregnant as I got a positive test in the past few days. I thought For sure AF was here once I got the spotting so was surprised when it never fully showed up and tested then. Spotting was basically identical to all the other times! A few days of pink or brown or both etc. I wonder if the spotting is a result of the dropping progesterone levels pre implantation but doesn’t actually mean you can’t get pregnant? I hope this one “sticks” and everybody can rest a little easier that the spotting likely doesn’t mean much either way. But it is SUPER ANNOYING and gave me great anxiety so you aren’t alone there.

@RealSmart1459 Congratulations!!! Wonderful news!! I hope your pregnancy will develop as expected!
This also give us all hope, so thanks for posting about your positive result!
Can I ask what was your spotting pattern?

@RealSmart1459 wow!! Big congratulations! very happy for you and good news for all of us too really. Wishing u a happy and healthy 9 months x

I feel like I got our collective hopes up but suspect this might be a chemical. No period yet but tested a few days later with the first pee in the AM and a BFN.. 17dpo so seems I should Be getting a stronger result than three days ago. Sorry ladies! Will keep you posted in the next couple of days but now just expecting a rough AF!

@Morgane777 yes my spotting pattern is lpink or brown spotting for 3-4 days at around 6dpo-11dpo then it stops for 2-3 days and AF arrives. This time I got the same spotting and then AF did not arrive as scheduled. I’m about four days passed my missed period now.

Sorry to hear this @RealSmart1459 got my fingers crossed for you.

AF just began showing up. I am cautiously optimistic that this means there isn’t much wrong with the spotting pre period. And very optimistic I’ll be drinking quite a bit this December! Thanks for the support all and fingers crossed this spotting business is as meaningless as our health care providers think it is!

Yes to all of that @RealSmart1459

Sorry to hear about the AF showing again @RealSmart1459. I had mine this morning! I was disappointed but a little optimistic because even with my constant spotting, my cycles are regular as a clock! I hope too this spotting is meaningless. My husband went to have his spermogram today! We'll see the doctor in January. So as you @RealSmart1459, I will enjoy this December with a little alcohol!
Another cycle, another hope! Fingers crossed for you and me ladies!

Sorry about AF @Morgane777 but as you say let's enjoy Xmas had my gynae appointment yesterday. I'm having another tv scan and will have a tubal patency test as that's really the last piece of the puzzle. She was not concerned about spotting at all and said that would not stop me getting pregnant. If my progesterone has tested fine then I shouldn't worry. It has put my mind at rest mostly but think I'll still have a niggling doubt and I will do until I manage to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. But it's good need for now at least. Fingers crossed.

Well ladies it’s the new year and 9dpo and ... spotting. At least it’s consistent?!

@RealSmart1459 ah it's so annoying. I spot 6dpo like clockwork and have tried everything. I'm seed cycling and taking maca was last cycle too and it may have reduced the amount of spotting a little but I still spotted. Had a tv scan on Tuesday. physically I'm fine. Still waiting tube test but honestly I think that will be fine too. Will see how next cycle goes on seeds and maca and if no spotting improvement it's back to drawing board. I'm somewhat comforted by doc saying it's not a problem but I'd like to fix it. There must be a reason for it and I never used to get this.

I spot at 9/10dpo every month for 4 - 5 days until AF hits. I've been taking vitamin b complex and high dose folic acid for 3 months now and I have noticed my spotting has gotten lighter the last 2 cycles. It hasn't stopped it at all but I'm hopeful the vitamin b has reduced the quantity at least. Unless it's a coincidence of course!
Currently expecting to start spotting today/ tomorrow like usual!

Hello ladies,
My november cycle was terrible with my spotting (2/3/4/5 dpo; and then two days before AF), but the December one was a bit better : I spotted 2/3 dpo only. But I had a heavier spotting than usual the second day!
Then I spotted two days before AF only.
I started taking a multivitamin complex... Maybe is helping?

My cycles are super regular, so that encourages me a bit!
I'll see my doctor next week!