7dpo bleeding but NOT implantation

[HollyP21]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping to find someone who may have experienced something similar as I am at a loss. We started TTC 3 months ago. I can pinpoint ovulation through OPK and tracking temp. Roughly 7DPO I get bleeding which I initially thought was implantation bleeding but I’ve not had any BFP. The bleeding comes the same time every cycle, lasts for about a week on and off (not enough to fill a pad but can have sudden gushes that leak through my underwear and some clotting - usually dark brown) and then finishes and my periods comes. It’s definitely not my period as my BBT remains elevated and it’s on and off - my period is always on time and lasts 5 days with no on/off. This cycle I had very bad cramps with the bleeding too - I never normally have bad cramps. This literally only started when TTC and it’s clearly not implantation, and it’s been 3 cycles in a row so it’s not a one off. I’ve had my progesterone tested and my levels came back as normal. Not been on hormonal birth control in years, I eat clean, am a healthy weight and regularly exercise. Any help would be SO much appreciated- I am losing my mind! Thank you xxx

@HollyP21 I'm due Friday as well, unfortunately started spotting today at 9dpo so I'm guessing I'm out.

@Un7breakable ahhh no!! 😭😭😭Unless it's implantation bleeding! So hard to feel hopeful I know but we've heard of a success story here with bleeding and a BFP! Keeping my fingers crossed for both you and @Mushroo that AF stays away xxx

@HollyP21 @Mushroo glad the spotting has stayed away for you both so far!!
Sorry @Un7breakable that your has come ☹️ but yeah definitely not out yet!

I just had my gynaecology referral and I have a cervical ectropion which could be causing the spotting. I already knew I had this as was diagnosed/treated years back but I guess it came back. Had it cauterised with silver nitrate this evening so will be interesting to know if spotting now doesn't come back this cycle... I still feel like there is something else going on and I tried to push for a scan but they weren't having it ☹️ hopefully this is all it was and the spotting goes now , only on CD4 so I have a long time to wait and see!

@Piglet34 oh wow thanks for sharing! I'd never even heard of this - so good to learn about it. It must be a relief to know they found something that they've treated, and if the bleeding does come back, you should be in a stronger position to ask for a scan then. You could go private as well if it would put your mind at rest. I paid £90 for my ultrasound/transvaginal and £350 for my MRI. Expensive but I can't wait for the nhs and need it for my mental health! Just a thought if you get the same thing next month. Hopefully they've sorted it for you now and you'll be good to go when it gets to the fertile window! Xx

@HollyP21 yeah it's true :) it's nice to know that's treated at least and now I just have to hope the spotting stops! Yeah I have already looked into private tbh as I just want to rule other things out now, I don't think they tested for progesterone for my bloods at the GP (they said it's not reliable for some reason..) so I would like to go private to get transvaginal ultrasound and progesterone test. I emailed them already and the price wasn't too bad so I probably will, like you say it is more a peace of mind thing as I'm going crazy aha xx

@Piglet34 definitely! It's so worth it cause the worrying is enough to make you sick!! I got my day 21 progesterone test with Superdrug for £40 xxx

@Piglet34 I also recommend Superdrug. GP sent me for scan but refused bloods 🤷 hopefully the treatment works for you.

@HollyP21 good to know those prices. They are not as bad as I thought.

@Un7breakable I'm surprised they sent you for the scan before bloods! Surely bloods are cheaper! I also used Hertility for private bloods as well as the ones my GP did - they were £150 but they were comprehensive and gave me a second opinion on the bloods my doctor did as he sent me for them without even taking into consideration what day of my cycle it was so clearly didn't have a clue! Xxx

@HollyP21 I thought that but apparently as my period is pretty regular (24-29 cycles) she said it's unlikely to be hormonal
I should probably add I have extremely heavy periods which I'm medicated for so I think the thinking was it was possibly a fibroid or something. I'm tempted to do hertility next month.

@Un7breakable Ohh I see! Superdrug do others as well for similar price to Hertility but they need to be taken on different days - for example most are CD3 but progesterone is CD21 or rather 7 days after ovulation/before next period. Have you had the scan yet? Sorry struggling to keep up with who's had what 😂 xxx

@HollyP21 I struggle to keep up as well.

Had the scan Thursday. They struggled to get good pictures as my bladder hadn't filled enough. Sonographer said he couldn't see anything obvious but will check probably before sending the report. Got a telephone appointment with GP on Tuesday to get results confirmed.

It's odd. I'm really happy they didn't find anything but also a bit stressed that that means there is nothing they can fix if you get what I mean.

@Un7breakable definitely understand! That's how I felt after my scan and bloods. First it was relief that nothing was wrong but then it was like oh but something must be causing this bleeding so why haven't they found it! Hence why I went for the private MRI as my friend who has endometriosis said her ultrasound didn't detect her cysts or endometriosis but an MRI did. Will get the results in about 7 days I think xx

@Un7breakable sorry to hear the spotting has started - might has started as well at 10dpo.

Frustrating, but it’s later than it has been and definitely lighter. The last 2 months was bright red, this is very pale pink and not very much so at least seems to be headed in the right direction.

I was going to test tomorrow but I think now I’ll just keep an eye on BBT and only test if it shoots up or AF is late, can’t be doing with yet another stark white. I’d love even a hint of a line!

Look forward to hearing everyone’s results as well, I’m so glad we have this thread

Ooh yeah I forgot you could get the blood tests through Superdrug, maybe I will try that this cycle. But yeah as you say @Un7breakable I'm unsure if mine is hormonal as my ovulations/cycles are pretty regular in general. I have just booked for a private scan and consultation for two weeks time so will see if that finds anything!

I’ve gone down a rabbit hole but this is kind of reassuring:

Essentially, if you have luteal phase spotting that cycle has a lower chance of conception, but over 12 months most women who get spotting did get pregnant.

@Mushroo Sorry yours has started.

That's kinda reassuring although at 35 I'm really hoping it doesn't take a year.

I do worry about age as ideally I'd like more than one but age isn't on my side. Really should've started years ago but it wasn't on my radar.

Thanks for sharing that! We will be at the 6 month point next month so I'll try and think of it as only another 6 months 😂 I'm on 10DPO and no bleeding yet..not going to test though as I also can't stand seeing another blank white space! Kills me.

I'm 34 this year @Un7breakable so not much different to you. I thought I had all the time in the world and it would happen easily. Really wish I could talk to my past self now!! Xx

Hi ladies! Jumping on if you don’t mind so glad I’ve found this thread!! I’ve had exactly the same for last 4 months, start very light spotting about 6 dpo until 12dpo then period starts! To be honest its only when checking cervix but always get some pinky blood around that time. Thought it was IB this month as was on 7 dpo then stopped but it’s come back now and looks like it’s the usual. Haven’t had any tests yet as I only stopped the pill in December so have been thinking it’s that. I’ve also got cervical ectropion so have read that hormones can cause that to bleed. Reassuring to know I’m not the only one and that a BFP is possible. Will probably arrange for some tests if same happens next month! Xx

@Wonderingwoes welcome to the club! Good to know there are a few of us out there! Such a difficult time to not have any answers.

I still haven't had bleeding yet and I'm 12DPO so really hoping to get through to Friday without any!! Xxx

Okay it literally just started as I typed that 😩 but gone from starting 5DPO last month to 12DPO this month so got to be a step in the right direction xxx

@HollyP21 nooo, I was hoping you’d made it through!

Sounds similar to me though that this month has vastly improved, definitely sticking with the seeds. I also might start Vit B6 after ovulation as apparently that can help (I may have high prolactin which can inhibit progesterone and heard vitB can help).

@Wonderingwoes welcome! How long have you been trying?

@Mushroo thank you - I really thought I was going to get away with it this month! Do you only take B6 after ovulation? I take it all month long but haven't heard about taking it only after ovulation xxx

@HollyP21 ive not started yet, it’s on my list for next month 😂

My only reasoning is that it can delay ovulation, it’s in pregnacare and it’s in that and when I tried pregnacare I had the worlds longest cycle, so what to avoid that occurring again. If your ovulation is ok definitely fine to take all month.

@Mushroo ohhh okay! Good to know!! I had one really late ovulation and then it's gone back to normal but I think it was stress! I stupidly decided to do an OPK every day from CD1 to track my levels throughout the month and the constant checking drove me crazy - never again! Xxx

@HollyP21 haha completely get it! I’m so proud of myself for not testing yet, but tbh it’s just because I can’t face the blank white. At least OPKs always show something!