TTC and a really basic question about periods

[Miller2021]

I've been TTC for 6 months or so, tracking my ovulation & periods like a good girl, etc etc. And it's just occurred to me...

I take the first day of my "proper" bleed (the first day I have to use eg a tampon or mooncup) as cycle day 1, but I normally start spotting 1-3 days before this. Should I be taking the start of spotting as CD1?

I don't think spotting counts no
You are doing it correctly
Good luck 🤞🏻

This confuses me too.

I have read both that CD1 is the first day with any level of bleeding, and then also CD1 is the first day with proper bleeding!!

However, I defo don't think spotting counts. I worry more about when you get your first pinkish wipe but nothing more...is that day 1?!

Thank you @hazelgrey and @LittleMysSister - intuitively, it feels like it should be the first day of the proper bleed. I don't feel like I'm on my period until then.

But I've seen a couple of MN'ers on the Conception forums recently saying something like "I've started spotting so I'm taking this as CD1 and trying again next month" and I think "you what?!" - it would move my whole cycle ahead by 3 days some months.

I think it depends what your level of spotting is as well - I always took CD1 to be the first day I needed to wear a pad. If the spotting was just on toilet paper etc I didn't count it, if it was in my underwear and happening more than once then I considered that the start. Hope that makes sense!

If you are tracking your ovulation too, does it matter? Surely that's the key date?

@TumtumTree

If you are tracking your ovulation too, does it matter? Surely that's the key date?

Well sort of, but if you're using eg the SMEP method, you're supposed to start having sex every other day from CD8, which will obviously change depending on when CD1 is. And if you get pregnant, your due date will be calculated by the "first day" of your last period.

@TumtumTree

If you are tracking your ovulation too, does it matter? Surely that's the key date?

Yeah I'm with @Miller2021, I prefer to try and use OPKs as close to when I would likely be ovulating as possible (to avoid stressing about it and also wasting them!) and without knowing when CD1 is it's harder to do that.

This month I counted CD1 as when I got a first fairly pink wipe after a wee, but usually I go from the day I come on fully and need to use my cup.

I've done a lot of IVF which uses period start dates as a trigger to start treatment so important to get it right

First day of your period is classed as the first morning you wake up with bright red bleeding - so spotting is not classed as the start of your cycle

@tiggerwhocamefortea

I've done a lot of IVF which uses period start dates as a trigger to start treatment so important to get it right

First day of your period is classed as the first morning you wake up with bright red bleeding - so spotting is not classed as the start of your cycle

Aha! Thank you