AF heavier since TTC?

[SpongeCake23]

Just that.

My DP pointed this out last night, since we've stopped using protection, my periods are heavier, more painful and cloth than they were before we were TTC.

Something to do with sperm?
It's very odd and it's making me anxious.

Oops that's supposed to read 'more clotty'

Were you on hormonal contraception before? It can have a massive affect on periods.

Didn’t mean to sound blunt the whole reason I started taking contraception as a teenager was to deal with heavy periods (and it helped loads) so if you were on anything, it could be that!

@NeilTheSloth No I wasn't, haven't been on them for a few years. We were using condoms. And the pull out method!

I'm wondering if the sperm is meeting the egg but implantation isn't happening for some reason, but my womb lining is getting thicker to prepare? Maybe talking nonsense.

Tbh it's probably just because you are paying more attention to them rather than them being different.

@SpongeCake23. I have wondered the same thing. Mine used to be barely there and no they are something biblical!

I have also wondered the same
Thing! Seem to be getting more and more clots so this is interesting

Either it's just because you're getting older, or they haven't actually changed and you're just paying them more attention, I think.

@QueenAravisOfArchenland I'm only 28. So I'm not sure it's an age thing but I suppose it could be.

Just found this:

It’s not clear whether any components of human semen get into the bloodstream, but it could be possible, particularly for small molecules like hormones, says Robertson. She has shown that seminal fluid induces expression of a range of genes in the cervix, including ones that affect the immune system, ovulation, the receptivity of the uterus lining to an embryo, and even the growth of the embryo itself.

As for seminal signalling, she thinks it’s more likely to be indirect, with semen causing the cervix to produce molecules that influence the rest of the body. Her team is studying the effect of three microRNAs – RNA fragments that affect gene expression – released by the cervix in response to semen.

Whatever the mechanism, both Chapman and Robertson say it’s plausible that semen could have effects on women well beyond their reproductive tract.

Nothing personal implied in the comment. We're all getting older and that changes our cycle.

I asked this in a thread recently. I stopped takin the pill 2 years ago and have been tracking my periods all that time, so have no doubt what they are normally like: 4 days long, with one med flow day and 3 light days.

Started TTC two months ago and both periods have been 8 days long, heavy, with more clots. There's no doubt in my mind that TTC is affecting my periods.