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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Cervical Ectopy / Erosion and TTC

38 replies

LT87 · 11/03/2020 21:07

Hi, I’m new here :)
Just thought I’d ask this question here as I can’t find anything about it anywhere else! I have been diagnosed with a cervical ectopy (sometimes called cervical erosion)
I’ve been told by several doctors now that it doesn’t affect fertility but been TTC for 2 years and no joy. Me and my partner have both had fertility tests and all came back completely normal (which was a relief!)
My symptoms are that I’ll start spotting/discharge 5-7 days before my period is due and it continues until AF arrives. I always assume the spotting means I’m out for that month and can’t be pregnant but just wondered if anybody else has had this but had a positive pregnancy test after the spotting/discharge?? Driving myself crazy each month wondering if I should keep my hopes up or not! Thanks Smile

OP posts:
paintfairy · 11/03/2020 21:36

That's interesting. I spot too - it varies by month. I get quite a lot sometimes. I went to the dr who did a general blood test, day 2 test and pelvic scan. All normal. Nurse checked cervix and said fine.
I was then referred to gynaecology. They looked at it all and said it was hormonal. However, they did say I had some cells that they could freeze off but if it wasn't bothering me (no pain or bleeding after sex) then they'd leave it. They said it was unlikely to be the cause of the spotting because it was timed like it was? They next named it but having just googled what you asked, it sounds like the same thing?

Original poster
LT87 · 11/03/2020 21:54

Hi paintfairy, yeah that sounds similar to what they said to me. Are you TTC too?

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Original poster
LT87 · 11/03/2020 22:01

Mine was discovered at the same time as a cyst so I had that removed and I think they might have frozen some of the cells at the same time (hard to concentrate on what they’re saying when you’re in that situation!) I still get spotting and bleeding after sex sometimes though so don’t think it worked! It doesn’t bother me too much now I know what is causing it, just hoping it’s not stopping me getting pregnant :/

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Satsumadreams99 · 11/03/2020 22:02

I had similar symptoms - spotting a few days up to my period due date and was eventually diagnosed with a luteal phase defect. I had to supplement with progesterone at ovulation in both my pregnancies because of it

Original poster
LT87 · 11/03/2020 22:07

That’s interesting satsumadreams, do you mind me asking how they diagnosed that? Feel like I’ve had every test in the world already!
Lovely that you have 2 little ones Smile

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paintfairy · 11/03/2020 22:33

I'm TTC now yes. But back last year I only went to the gp because it wasn't right. And i wanted to iron things out before TTC after the wedding. I'll go back if I don't manage to get a BFP.

I've googled. Firstly it can cause spotting in the LP which is interesting. Because I assumed I had a luteal phase defect. So actually it could be either? God the nhs are useless. But it also seems loads of people manage to conceive and it doesn't affect fertility. So hopefully this shouldn't be an issue?

Original poster
LT87 · 11/03/2020 22:45

Yeah same, I initially went because of the spotting/bleeding rather than any fertility reasons. It only started when I stopped taking the pill to begin the process of TTC. I’ve read since that stopping birth control can cause an ectopy so makes sense, it’s crazy isn’t it what they don’t tell you about coming off birth control!
Yeah a few people have said it hasn’t affected them getting their BFP which is good news Smile
I’m just wondering if anyone has had the spotting but still got their positive test
I’d definitely go back to your doc if they haven’t actually diagnosed you with an ectopy or LP defect yet x

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Greenwhale · 11/03/2020 23:29

@LT87 I have ectropian and too would often have spotting after sex and before my period started. I'm currently pregnant and had spotting before getting my bfp so was convinced we were out for the month but turns out we were wrong! So don't lose hope, even if there's spotting it doesn't mean you're necessarily out.

paintfairy · 12/03/2020 08:06

Mine can actually be bright red bleeding though. So I'm unsure if it's that or a LP issue.
She said to me the pill can cause it. Which I've been on one forever until June 2018. I came off way before I knew I'd be TTC.

Original poster
LT87 · 12/03/2020 17:18

Ah congratulations Greenwhale! Thanks that makes me feel a lot better Smile

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Original poster
LT87 · 12/03/2020 17:29

@paintfairy Mine is only ever bright red after sex sometimes (sorry TMI!) and then spotting pinkish/brown a week before my period is due. If the docs didn’t seem worried and people on here (and google) are still be able to get pregnant then hopefully it’ll happen for us both soon!
I came off my pill in July 2018 but feel like it took at least 8 months to get out of my system (that’s when the ectopy symptoms started) I use natural cycles which has really helped me understand and track my cycle and when the symptoms usually appear, not sure if something like that might help you too?

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paintfairy · 12/03/2020 18:05

Yeah I track things. The spotting is predictable. It does vary but there's still a pattern. Last month I got to day 22 (26 day cycle) before spotting which was amazing for me. And it was brown. But I have bad months too.

My issues happened straight after the pill. My cycles settled to be regular but the spotting has never improved.

Fingers crossed for us!

claireb707 · 12/03/2020 19:48

I've just been diagnosed with this too, found a lump on the end of my cervix last month and have had numerous tests (first gp thought it was a cyst, 2nd said definitely not a cyst but she wasn't sure and then referred me to gynae, gynae said it was ectropian but did my smear early to be sure).
I've been off pill since August last year, ttc since, with no luck. I've not noticed much spotting apart from the day before my period last month.

Original poster
LT87 · 12/03/2020 20:10

@claireb707 it’s crazy what you learn about your body when you come off birth control and start TTC isn’t it! I really didn’t know anything about my cycle or fertility or that cervical ectopy was even a thing! It’s good to know that other people have similar issues though, makes it seem a bit better in a way.
Glad you don’t have the spotting as it can be really disheartening at times. Even though I’ve been told I’m perfectly healthy and it’s fine I still don’t think it should be normal to have these symptoms every month?!
Hope you get your positive test soon

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claireb707 · 12/03/2020 20:12

I've got the added complications of being 40 with hypothyroidism 😢 so it's just one more thing to add to the things I didnt know anything about 😩

paintfairy · 13/03/2020 07:57

I'm trying progesterone cream this month. Interestingly the progesterone is what causes spotting from the cervix. So it'll be interesting to see if it stops my spotting (therefore it is LP) or if it does nothing. I suppose it could make it worse (definitely cervix). I'm brown spotting atm. But it's only a bit.

Original poster
LT87 · 13/03/2020 17:13

Oh no one has ever mentioned that to me as a treatment, hopefully it works for you or at least helps you figure out what’s causing your symptoms. This month has been the worst for me for a while, started on day 20 of a usual 28 day cycle. Still got a little bit of hope for a BFP though as others have said they still spotted before they got their positive. Might take an early test tomorrow to stop me thinking about it all weekend!

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paintfairy · 20/03/2020 10:20

Well, be interesting to see how it progresses but I'm spotting today as normal. So either the cream isn't strong enough or it's not a progesterone issue. Or it is but its cervical erosion and not uterus. Clearer? No. 😂

paintfairy · 22/03/2020 10:41

Spotting much worse. So whether the cream isn't working, or its the cervical erosion causing the bleeding - I don't know.

But I get quite a lot? Seems a lot to beer coming from a few cells on the cervix? Its not like it's odd tiny bits.

Original poster
LT87 · 22/03/2020 14:40

I’m sorry you’re no clearer to what’s causing it paintfairy
I always think it’s a lot just to be coming from a few cells too. I have an appointment next month with the colposcopy clinic to have mine looked at again (probably won’t be going ahead though now with all the uncertainty at the minute)
I’m not even sure wether to carry on trying while all this is going on, it’s scary isn’t it!

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paintfairy · 22/03/2020 15:08

@LT87 If it is bleeding due to cervical erosion then it shouldn't stop pregnancy at all. I just can't decide if mine is that. I need a liner atm and had what looks like clots in it today. So to me that sounds more than just CE? But maybe not. Some women had it during pregnancy and thought it was the start of a miscarriage so I guess it can be more than a bit. I'm due a smear so I'll book that and bother the nurse with my questions. Lol.

becca321 · 22/03/2020 20:59

I'm so glad I have found this, have been trying to conceive since August but the last 3 months have had spotting form a couple of days after ovulation (I am temping) until AF. Have felt down, GP said it might be cervical erosion or cysts on my ovaries. Hoping to get some answers soon as finding it hard x

Original poster
LT87 · 24/03/2020 18:28

Yeah ask when you go for your smear, they may refer you to colposcopy like they did for me, hopefully you get some answers soon too ☺️

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Original poster
LT87 · 24/03/2020 18:30

@becca321 it’s made me feel a lot better knowing other people have similar issues and have still gone on to have healthy pregnancies. Hopefully you get some answers soon too and we all get those BFP tests we’ve been waiting for ☺️

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Sammyclaire22 · 27/03/2020 20:43

I've had erosion for years- initially caused by the pill. I used to get bleeding after sex etc to. It's purely cells that are normally on the inside of the cervix being on the outside, and as they are more delicate they can bleed a lot more. I often had spotting when on different hormone contraceptives so came off it in the end and it's improved since.

Fwiw I also had a few quite heavy bleeds in the first few months of pregnancy- enough to look like a miscarriage, but all down to those pesky cells. Terrified me at the time! Likely caused by the high hormones again. Settled once I was further into pregnancy x