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Conception

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Spotting before period

74 replies

BritInNZ · 25/01/2022 22:26

Hi everyone

Has anyone else experienced spotting quite early before their period?

I never used to have this but for my last 3 cycles (my COVID vaccine was 4 cycles ago) I have been spotting for 4/5 days before my period arrives.

We've been TTC for a year (classes as unexplained infertility) and this is just adding yet another worry as to why it's not working.

I usually have a 29 day cycle and today is day 25 and I've just been to the bathroom and had loads of spotting. Feeling pretty gutted and not sure what to do.

Will book in to see GP once this AF is out the way but just have no idea what it could be.

OP posts:
emsie12345 · 26/01/2022 10:31

Bumping. I've had this for the last year, also ttc, unvaccinated. I have awful exhaustion aswell after ovulation. My GP tested progesterone which was fine so said not to worry. I've since seen another who's ordered a scan.

Whatinthename20 · 26/01/2022 10:41

I am also having this ever since my first vaccine in June. My cycles have gone from 35 days to 28-32 with spotting at least 4 days before period is due. Ttc #2

goingcrazyttc · 26/01/2022 14:13

I have just posted about this asking the same. I always have 5-7 days of spotting before my period. I am worried about low progesterone (had it tested once and was ok) and my GP just dismisses my concerns and says not to worry. I fear this is stopping me getting pregnant.

PeanuttyButter · 26/01/2022 14:56

I've only had this since my miscarriages. Before that it was spotting the day before then AF would come the next morning. Same here progesterone is fine.

BritInNZ · 26/01/2022 17:43

Thanks for all the responses - but annoying we're all in the same boat with no answers! I don't see how it's CANT impact. I'm getting it 6 days after ovulation, so even if I had conceived it's not even giving enough time for implantation?! I've booked a doctors appointment but suspect I will get fobbed off too. I'm delaying having a booster vaccine for as long as possible too.

OP posts:
goingcrazyttc · 26/01/2022 18:03

Yes this is what I think too. How can there be enough time for implantation if the lining is starting to shed so soon.

Please do let us know if you get any answers from your doctor. I really want to book another appointment however don't like being made to feel silly for asking questions.

Loz2467 · 17/02/2022 23:27

Hi Everyone. I was just seeing if anyone was still on this thread?

I came across it after googling spotting and vaccine and TTC. Trying to cut a long story short we are TTC number 2. Had no problems getting pregnant twice before - unfortunately suffered a second trimester loss in feb 2021. After this I had a couple of “normal cycles”. Then I had my covid vaccine in July. Since then I have spotting each month before my period. The odd month I make it to 10 dpo but not very often. Some months like this month it’s been 6 dpo. I just can’t understand. I’ve had progesterone checked twice - 7 days after O. Various scans. I’ve just gone private now as I can’t bear it much longer. The spotting is driving me insane I’m thinking how can anything implant.

Any progress from anyone?

emsie12345 · 18/02/2022 09:46

Ttc baby no.3 . I have 2dc already and 1 misscarriage in Jan 21. All conceived within 3 months of trying. Problems with spotting since then. Had my scan yesterday and all fine. Doc going to refer to fertility clinic next

Loz2467 · 18/02/2022 10:14

@emsie12345 that’s so similar to me. First two pregnancies happened within 1/2 months. Now 10 months of trying and nothing. The spotting is really making me think it’s an issue. I’ve had so many tests and around 4 scans too. We can’t find a reason so I’m waiting on surgery now but it’s a long wait. I can’t even believe it’s come to all this. :( keep me posted how you get on. We started private in January but I can’t even go straight to any fertility treatment as he wants to investigate the spotting first.

goingcrazyttc · 18/02/2022 12:04

Is the surgery to correct the spotting?

Loz2467 · 18/02/2022 13:45

@goingcrazyttc not necessarily it depends what he finds but he said any bleeding he likes to investigate firstly before doing further fertility treatments. He might find a polyp or fibroid or scar tissue or something?? As I did have a very small area of fluid in my lining too. I had our miscarriage due to an infection so he said it’s best to check the uterus condition first. It’s going to be May / June the survey though.

I’ve spotted a whole week before this period and it’s driving me crazy!

goingcrazyttc · 18/02/2022 13:52

@Loz2467 Yeh I always have 5-7 days of spotting before my period also. I have tried to speak to my GP about this and she just says its fine. But I feel it is affecting my chances for implantation.

Loz2467 · 18/02/2022 14:13

I’ve joined the thread late. @goingcrazyttc have yours always been like that? I’ve only had the spotting since my MMC last Feb. It’s hard enough TTC isn’t it but TTC with this is just mind blowing!

My GP refereed me for a scan where they didn’t find anything. I’ve paid for 2 private scan. One just at a place and they found nothing either it was only when I paid £600 to go private fertility clinic and have a full 3D scan done they found a fibroid but doesn’t obstruct any conception and then this small area of fluid in my lining.

So prior to this I had 3 internal scans and was told all fine.

I’ve pushed for every blood test too I’m kind of at a point where I don’t know what else to do.
Glad your hear your GP doesn’t think it will affect it though 🤞🏼 But same as you I often wonder and think how is that not affecting implantation xx

emsie12345 · 18/02/2022 15:49

Thankyou for sharing it seems as though we are all in the same position. It is infuriating! Can I ask what the surgery is? I'm guessing I would be advised to do the same

Loz2467 · 18/02/2022 17:07

I know @emsie12345 although glad to see some people have still got there BFP regardless of the spotting. I’m just so confused why it’s happening as I’ve googled the hell out of everything now but I must say it’s got worst since my covid vaccines - not sure if it’s coincidence but I’ve seen reports of it changing / affecting cycles.

He’s referred me for a endometrial biopsy, a hysterscopy and a laproscopy and dye test so it’s ALOT! But I’m not going to decline it if it can potentially help me.

Where are you up to?

emsie12345 · 18/02/2022 18:13

Yes I'm googling too. It all points to low progesterone, I've had a blood test but only on 11 do, and it was normal, indicating that I did ovulate. I have read however that it's sensible to test on 3 different cycle days but my GP poopoo'd this. That was back in August and the GP just left it at that. I saw another GP as I didn't want to just leave it, even if we can't conceive another it needs to be sorted. I've got my referral to the fertility clinic, and another progesterone blood test next month on 11 dpo in the meantime. I haven't had any covid vaccines and Ive never even had a positive test but I'm pretty sure I had it mildly before they brought in testing. I'm no expert but I'm guessing if the vaccine can cause menstrual changes the actual virus can aswell?

Loz2467 · 18/02/2022 19:19

That’s all what I’ve read pretty much low progesterone and it failing too quickly. I’ve only ever had mine tested at 7 dpo and it was 61 one cycle and 37 the other. If yours was still good at 11 dpo you’d usually implant before then anyway indicating progesterone should of been efficient if concept happened? That’s my idea anyway? I only ever had 11 day luteal before my 2 year old and after him. I know with my little boy and lady pregnancy I implanted before 7 dpo as I got pains and implantation bleeding but now if my lining is starting to come away even before then surely it’s affecting. I don’t know any more answers! 😩 I’m getting my prolactin checked next week.

I feel the same… but struggling to close the chapter because it’s all I ever wanted and we had it then lost her. It’s tough isn’t it. I hope we get some answers soon but it’s so disheartening each month isn’t it. Like I said people have spotted and still got pregnant so I’m going to try and be hopeful although I find it so hard xx

emsie12345 · 18/02/2022 20:10

Best wishes and hopes to you! I'll keep updating. Hopefully whatever it is is temporary. I've been in tune with my cycles forever, always 28 days and O on day 12/13 then 14/15 day luteal. I've been very fortunate not to experience anything out of the ordinary so it has really thrown me!

Whatinthename20 · 18/02/2022 20:41

I spoke to a gp today about changes to my cycle and spotting ever since the vaccine. She said it has been widely reported by women. I will be referred for a LH(?)blood test between day 2-5 of my cycle, if I am not pregnant before then of course. She will try and get me a referral for an ultrasound too but that is up to my usual gp.

Loz2467 · 18/02/2022 20:50

@Whatinthename20 is it since the vaccine you’ve noticed spotting is worst? It’s hard to remember exactly but after my loss my first period was April. I know April, May and June I barely had spotting - I checked back on my app then since July when I got my first vaccine it’s just been terrible. I kept waiting before paying private thinking “next month might be better” and it just never was 😩 if anything it gets worst each month. I wish we all could get some answers and it happens for us soon! I’ve checked reports about the vaccine and cycles and I can only find like lateness or it being early - nothing relating to spotting.

ExactlyThat · 18/02/2022 20:54

Yes! This is me since my booster. I had my booster during my period, then the two after that I’ve had 4-5 days of spotting before my period starts. Worried about to be considering the doctor.

I’m not ttc though.

Roseandgeranium · 18/02/2022 20:58

Before my first pregnancy (DS) I had spotting for 5 days before my periods with a 13 day literal phase, so from 9dpo onwards. It took me 8 months to conceive. My second pregnancy (first miscarriage) I was still breastfeeding and only spotting for two days before period, and I conceived much faster. Third pregnancy (second miscarriage) I spotted heavily and cramped badly from 8dpo until 14dpo when it dried up. It took me 9 months to conceive but that includes three months knocked out by bad COVID and aftermath. Fourth pregnancy (DD) I spotted from 4dpo to 14dpo! Also cramped quite a bit.
My blood tests after 6 months of trying before DS showed sub clinical hypothyroidism but not at a level the NHS treats. I suspect this was a problem for me, though, looking at some other threads on here. If I’d been a mumsnetter back then I think I would have sought treatment privately.
It’s controversial on here but I think agnus castus really helped me. It takes me ages to conceive except when taking agnus castus — both times I’ve taken it I’ve conceived that month (3rd & 4th pregnancy) and my signs of fertility (esp cervical mucus) have been MUCH stronger.

Whatinthename20 · 18/02/2022 21:00

@Loz2467 yes I had my
First jab in July and ever since that my cycles went from a clockwork 35 days to 28-30’days, with spotting up to 4/5 days before.
If this has been going on since July too then then maybe seek advice from your gp and let’s get heard. Hopefully the more it is reported the more serious they will take us.

Whatinthename20 · 18/02/2022 21:02

@Loz2467 sorry I’ve just read back on your posts and see you have already been referred

Hoping43 · 18/02/2022 21:03

@Loz2467 would you mind me asking how much you are paying for all the investigations? I’m trying to conceive my third. Don’t have spotting but I’ve been trying for 11 cycles now and nothing. My first two were conceived easily. I had a c section with my second and I wonder if I need more investigations to see if it’s caused any damage x