Brown periods and TTC

[CaymanCat]

Hi, just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same and, if so, what it was. I came off the pill 4 months ago and have been TTC since then. Got my withdrawal bleed fine. Since then my 'period' comes each month, on time (32 day cycle) but there is no red flow - it is always just brown discharge which is very light and lasts 2-3 days. I have had positive OPKs each month and this last month I temped with FF confirming ovulation and a decent temp rise thereafter with a 16 day luteal phase. Everything seems to be working except AF - any one else had this and/or have any ideas what could be causing it?

@CaymanCat I get lots of brown blood in my period, mostly at the start and end with a bit of red in the middle days. Do you get any red blood? Brown blood is old blood, so if you're only getting brown blood, it would imply your body isn't shedding the womb lining very quickly. I came off the pill in August and have noticed my periods have more brown blood than red. Probably just out bodies adjusting back to normal but if you still don't see any red blood in the next two cycles (if you don't get BFP), might be worth getting it looked into.

Hi @ButterscotchBabe, thanks so much for your reply. I did get the smallest amount of red this month (only about 2 drops but better than nothing!), but not in the previous months. Hopefully this is a sign of things getting back to normal. As I am a little older, and we only have private health care where I live so no need to wait for a referral, I have scheduled my day 3 blood tests for tomorrow to check my hormone levels - my body responded fine to the synthetic hormones in the pill so maybe my levels are just a bit off and need a friendly nudge.

@CaymanCat that's a good sign you got some red, hopefully next cycle they'll be a bit more! Well done on getting blood test sorted, if you've got private health care then there's no benefit to waiting. If anything is wrong the earlier they find it, the higher chance you've got if having a successful pregnancy 🙂.

Hi @CaymanCat I came off the mini pill in August of last year and my periods have stayed mostly brown with a bit of red blood, I haven’t been too worried about it as they are regular each month but I have booked a drs appointment on Monday to get some advice on it as over a year feels like a long time! Hope you get some answers from your appointment 😊

I had this when first came off the pill (I'm 36 years of age and came off the pill last Summer) my doctor explained it is 'old blood'. I still get similar now at the start of my period and then it goes red.

Thank you S345 and cloudydays7 for the reassurance. My doctor doesn't seem particularly worried about it either. I guess I am just trying to find reasons/explanations why I don't get a BFP each month when really I just need to be a bit more patient!

@CaymanCat just thought I would update you that after speaking to my Dr this morning she also didn’t seem worried about it! Said aslong as they are regular there’s nothing to worry about, hope that gives you a bit more reassurance 😊
Yes being patient is definitley easier said than done isn’t it, you just think if you’re doing everything you can why isn’t it happening?! 😂 sending positive vibes ✨

I had this for a couple of years after stopping the pill. I tried drinking red raspberry leaf tea on the run up to ovulation and then vitamin B6 after and it actually really seemed to help. They never got much heavier or longer but the blood definitely got a lot healthier looking. And I now have a ds 😁

Thanks everyone. This is really encouraging!