Luteal phase spotting and BFP

[PoleFairy]

I just thought I'd post this as I spent a lot of time looking up luteal phase spotting and posted a couple of times about it on these boards.

Basically I came off the pill in August and have been casually ttc ever since (10 months and 11 cycles). I was lucky I went straight back onto a 26 days cycle but more often than not I would have pale milky brown spotting from anywhere between day 18 and day 21 until I got my period. I saw 2 GPS, a private GP and a consultant who all said this wouldnt stop me getting pregnant and I just didn't believe them. Anyway, yesterday was day 27 of my cycle and still no period and I also hadn't had any spotting (not totally unusual as every now and then I had a spot free cycle) but that, coupled with a few symptoms I was having, meant I took a test at 9pm last night (only had a strip test from pound land that came in 3 for £1 packs and it came up as positive quickly!). Drove to sainsburys for some clear blue last night and took them with FMU this morning and positive!

Just so if you're reading this and it's been 11 cycles or you get spotting and it feels helpless it can happen!

Also, for people reading this, low levels of progesterone in the luteal phase can lead to spotting (and shorter luteal phases).

@PoleFairy did they check your progesterone level at the right part of your cycle, and/or were you ever prescribed progesterone to assist in getting pregnant and to support early pregnancy?

No, nothing. They said as my cycle was regular, I was fairly young (30) and healthy there was no reason spotting should stop me getting pregnant and that if I wasn't pregnant after a year then I could have all the usual tests but a year is average time for ttc. Spotting didn't show up this month (but it's not every cycle I have it, only 75%ish) and did a test the day I missed my period.

Congratulations! And thank you for sharing this 🙏 I’m cycle 12, month 11 TTC #1 and have very similar spotting during luteal phase most months. I have had a normal day 21 progesterone test and normal pelvic ultrasound. Reassuring to hear your experience! Wishing you all the best!

@dory0 glad this has reassured you.. I kept finding old threads were people had said they had still conceived even with spotting but nothing recently so wanted to put it out there

Thanks so much for sharing this I am experiencing this whilst TTC 🥰

I know this is an old thread but jumping on to say congrats OP and thanks for sharing.

Im in this position. Luteal spotting for years, ever since coming off hormonal contraception (well, spotting was the reason I came off it).

Im 35 and we’ve been TTC for just over a year now. Feel really down. Naturally I’m looking for something to blame and my spotting has been the target! But similar to others, doctors dismiss it and as my day21 progesterone levels are fine, I can’t really argue with them.

But I just can’t compute how I could be fertile if my uterus starts shedding at the same time a fertilised egg could be trying to implant. Just makes no sense to me.

I do wonder if anyone who experiences this goes on to conceive quickly (first or second cycles)…

Hope all PPs have had good luck by now!