Luteal phase spotting

[Borovets123]

Hi
I’m new to this and wondered if anyone could help. I tend to read threads searching for advice but thought I’d join and see if any luck.

Long story short I started ttc July 2020 I became pregnant quickly but that turned out to be chemical and then pregnant again shortly after which ended in a mmc at 8 weeks, since then I haven’t been able to conceive and it’s been nearly 12 months!

I’m 30 and by all accounts very healthy. Since my mc I noticed I spot about 3-4 days after ovulation right up to my period - although I’ve had tests to check everything is ok (progesterone is fine 21 day blood test) I’m convinced it’s hormone related.

I’ve just ordered vitex to try and wondered if anyone had any success with this and lp spotting and subsequent BFP? Or if there’s any other advice? I’ve also read about magnesium, evening primrose oil, red raspberry tea etc.

Hi, I know this is an old thread but I’m going through the exact same thing right now and I’m just wondering if there was anything since then that helped you? I really hope you’re doing well 💕

I’m so glad you responded to this as lots has changed since this! I’m now 8 weeks pregnant the first cycle since trying Vitex. I couldn’t say for definite that this is what stopped the spotting and helped me conceive but I had been trying for almost 12 months before this and was about to start further fertility checks via the nhs. I hope this helps somewhat. What is your situation? Hope you’re all good x

@Borovets123 thanks so much for responding! Massive congratulations on your pregnancy, that really makes me so hopeful.
I’ve been trying for a while now and just been for some gp blood tests as similar to you I will ovulate on around cycle day 19 and then start spotting around cycle day 23 for about 6/7 days until my period starts so I'm just so disheartened thinking how is anything going to implant when I spot 3 days after ovulation. The doctor suggested despite strong opk peaks I may not even be ovulating which is really scary.
I did try Vitex a couple weeks ago but got really sick after and thought that was cause but maybe I should try it again as it could likely have been something else. Also taking vitC now as well.
How long did you take vitex for and was it every day of your cycle?
Sorry to keep asking questions, thank you again.

That’s absolutely fine! I would try and look for something like this when I was struggling so I do hope it helps. I was exactly the same! It wasn’t even a 2WW for us it was pretty much 3 days and then I’d start to bleed so thought how will this ever happen. The doctors said there was no connection to the spotting and conception but it was so clear to me that there was!
I had multiple checks: blood tests for hormones, thyroid etc, internal and external ultra sound, colposcopy and the ovulation blood test - all came back completely normal.
I read about Vitex and started to take it every day of the cycle that I got pregnant, I also took my usual iron tablets, folic acid, CQ10 and had red raspberry leaf tea. Funnily enough I still spotted at my usual 3 days after ovulation for the cycle where I was pregnant but then it just stopped after 2 days. I’ve continued to take Vitex since finding out I’m pregnant and just had my 8 week scan and everything looked perfect and really promising. I do hope this helps, fingers crossed for you x

Yes the 2WW thing is so frustrating, never even got to the point of taking a pregnancy test as I know it’s over by then. You’ve definitely encouraged me to try the Vitex again, I’ve heard a few people say the same as you. I’ll update on how it goes. Should be getting results from my progesterone test this week so that’ll be interesting. Thank you so much again for the advice, you’ve definitely given me some hope which is hard to find sometime as I’m sure you remember.

Is the spotting a new thing since covid jab? I’m asking as I am spotting about 4-5 days before my period the last 2 cycles since my booster x

My progesterone levels tested as normal but I got a natural progesterone cream anyway from Amazon. That worked for me.
Baby here safely

What progesterone cream did you buy @BillyBarryBoo?

Going to investigate Vitex as the consultant didn't really say much when I mentored about my mid cycle bleeding / pain. He response was 'oh you're just sensitive to your hormones' . Going for my lap & dye next month and our referral to the IVF clinic which is apparently like 'being wrapped in a big warm duvet' again the consultants words along with oh it could just be 'bad luck'. Can you tell I'm not impressed with her . Congratulations on your sticky bean ✨

You’re so welcome best of luck! Let me know how you get on x

@ExactlyThis I know it’s not for me as I haven’t had the jab, can’t say for others.

@Borovets123

You’re so welcome best of luck! Let me know how you get on x

@Jmarie123

I've just seen this.

I'm a spotter and I had a long infertility journey. I spot from about 7 days post ovulation until my period. I always have. When not TTC it's great as I'm never taken off guard by my period. While TTC it was heartbreaking.

However, every test I did and every doctor I saw said the spotting had no impact on my fertility. We were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. I did get pregnant naturally the cycle before we started IVf. The only other thing we'd done was take proxeed for the 4 months before trying IVF.

My second child only took 6 months to conceive. We again were taking proxeed. I think our issues though were more on my husbands side.

My advice would be to not self medicate for spotting. It's not automatically a sign of anything wrong. It also didn't stop me getting pregnant.

The months I did get pregnant my spotting didn't arrive until my period was due and then it never got heavier.

@Borovets123 I can’t actually believe I’m typing this but...my spotting started this month about a week ago, lasted 5 days and then stopped and tried so hard not to get my hopes up but couldn’t help thinking about what happened to you... I just took a test and I’m pregnant!!!
I can’t believe it

OMG!!! @Jmarie123 congratulations!!!! How exciting! So excited for you. Hope you have a healthy pregnancy xx

Woohoo!!! Congratulations 🥳

Is there any update in this thread? :) congrats to the few BFPs.

Ive had spotting from 7 dpo basically since last July when I had my covid vaccine so I can’t help but think that it’s linked! I had a MMC in Feb 2021 at 18 weeks and haven’t managed to get pregnant since with the spotting starting that following July 2021. I did a medicated cycle of clomid and that didn’t stop the spotting but having progesterone from 2 dpo does but no luck getting pregnant.

it can’t be stress surely! Surely it’s linked to the vaccine.

Hi @Loz2467 , so sorry your going through this. I’m glad to hear your doctors supporting you, I did start using progesterone cream the cycle I got pregnant and used it right up to 12 weeks and I’m 40 weeks now so obviously I don’t know if that way the key but hopefully your progesterone might do something for you! On the month I was pregnant I still had the spotting starting a few days after ovulation and then it just suddenly stopped so it must be possible for implantation even with the bleeding.
ive heard really good things about Angus cactus too so I’d have a look in to that if you haven’t.
best of luck and don’t give up, it’s such a tough time I remember the sadness every month well.

@Jmarie123 Thanks so much and that’s amazing your literally there at full term now! 💗

its actually horrendous isn’t it and not just that it’s like half the year with spotting or a period really! I just don’t understand how it’s just started from no where especially as my cycles were pretty normal after my miscarriage it was literally after the month of the vaccine. I do sometimes think is it stress but surely not?! Our MC was awful but I thought I’d get pregnant again but going through loss and then just no pregnancy again is just cruel isn’t it. I’ve read so much about people still getting spotting and getting pregnant and then women using the progesterone and getting pregnant quickly but it’s been 5 months on progesterone for me now and nothing. It makes me worry incase it’s egg quality and there is nothing I can do about that. I’ve always been super healthy which feels unfair but that doesn’t mean anything does it.

Hey! @Loz2467 my little girl is here now and she’s 12 weeks (although she was 8 weeks premature so she’s 4 weeks adjusted).

I also experienced spotting on the month I got my BFP but it did stop after a couple of days whereas previously it would continue until my period. I took Vitex on the cycle I got pregnant and actually doubled the dose I took once I saw the spotting. I continued with Vitex until I was 12 weeks.

I had every test and was reassured it wasn’t anything linked but only experienced the spotting after my MMC so j assume it was that and I am convinced it was hormonal even though my hormones were showing as ok, the coincidence was just too much for me!

it really is awful as you just get told to relax but you know your own body and I would push for more tests if you are still concerned. I was due to get further fertility checks the month I got pregnant.

I hope this helps and thinking of you.