Help - reasons for spotting pre-period?

[Goldendoodlelover]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone can help - I’m 30, have been ttc baby number 1 for almost a year, have had a fertility MOT and all scans/bloods so far have been normal (apparently I have PCO, but not PCOS, as I have regular-ish periods and normal androgens.) OPKs and BBT suggest I’m ovulating, and husband’s sperm analysis was absolutely fine.

The thing that’s really bugging me is every month I spot before my period. Sometimes it’s continuous for a couple of days before my period; sometimes it’s just for a day/half a day a week or so before my period (and I get my hopes up it’s implantation bleeding, sigh); last month it was for almost a week continuously before my period. I asked the doctor and she was totally dismissive - told me that mid-cycle spotting is normal (!) and as long as I keep up with my smear tests that I have nothing to worry about. I insisted on getting a progesterone test which I had on day 21 this month, which was apparently normal/borderline (25.3nmol/l, she told me 25 was indicative of ovulation) - I’m pretty sure I ovulated late this month, on day 19, so I guess this is good? But lo and behold I’ve had spotting 6dpo this month and now today (13dpo) but my period isn’t due until Wednesday.

I’m just worried that, given that I am ovulating and everything else seems normal, that spotting is my only clue as to why things aren’t working - surely if my lining is failing early this can’t be good for implantation?

Has anyone had a similar experience, or know any reasons for spotting other than low progesterone? I think I’ve read somewhere that endometriosis can be a culprit? I have uncomfortable periods, but not super painful ones. Or reassurance that my spotting won’t stop me conceiving? The doc really doesn’t seem interested in investigating further - she’s told me to have a HSG/HyCosy and that basically my only option is to keep trying until we feel ready for IVF.

Apologies for the long post - I’m a natural worrier/over-thinker so not sure whether to trust my instinct with this or whether I’m looking for a problem that isn’t there…

Sorry, OP, I can’t help with this one, but I am in exactly the same boat! Would love to have an answer to this!!!

I have never spotted before a period until this month- my first taking letrozole so it has to be something to do with it.

Not much help but wanted to share you're not alone x

I only know if low progesterone/it dropping too quickly after ovulation

This is a great account to follow for other possible
Reasons
instagram.com/hannahpearn?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

@Anngin That’s interesting, are you also taking progesterone with your Letrozole?

@Doodledeedum thanks for the recommendation - that’s all I’ve heard of either… I was actually really weirdly hoping my progesterone day 21 blood test would be low as it seems like quite an easy thing to fix!

Hi, yes I have spotting before my period, I can't remember if I used to get it before TTC, but from what I remember it definitely wasn't as much as it is now. This month for example I started spotting at 8dpo, and am now at 11dpo and am still spotting, with it getting stronger. I suspect my period is en route.

Last month I took progesterone vaginally from 3dpo for 12 days and I didn't get any spotting at all (I also didn't get pregnant), but it did delay my period by a couple of days. I have endometriosis (stage four) but I don't ever remember having spotting like this before.

I would also love to know!

Hi @mushroomushroom - yes interestingly I don’t think I really had spotting before ttc - I came off the pill about 6 months before we started trying and I didn’t really spot in those 6 months, it was only once we started trying and that’s why for ages I wondered if it was implantation bleeding? Interesting that the progesterone helped though, I’m wondering if I should ask my doc again whether it might help. Do you mind me asking how you had your endo diagnosed?

Interesting. I had a blighted ovum 3 years ago, and didn’t spot before this but have ever since. Used to be like clock work from the point of ovulation until AF. But it’s now just a few days before.
this months been a strange one though, ovulated later than usual, normally due today but Flo app has pushed it back due to late positive Opk. Having some brown spotted today, had a couple of little pains in my side yesterday and now feeling super achy down there so now symptom spotting like mad whilst remaining super cynical that AF is round the corner! 🙄

Of course! I always had trouble with my periods (very painful, although far far more painful since I got the covid vaccines like two years ago) and cysts that ruptured, endo was always mentioned but then nothing done about it, then after a loss last year at 12 weeks a new doctor said she saw that I have kissing ovaries on the trans vaginal ultrasound, which is indicative of stage 4, and my (even newer) fertility doctor confirmed it, with plenty of endometriomas, and it's most likely on my bowels as well. Surgery is very much not recommended for me as they say it will take away healthy ovary tissue :/ what's annoying for me is that the last time I was pregnant I had implantation bleeding, so all this spotting is driving me mad.

I have an appointment in a week and a half with the clinic again to discuss moving forward with IVF.

Regarding the progesterone, it did prevent all spotting, but it definitely made things more difficult emotionally for me, I was quite the mess 🤣 I also had every pregnancy symptom under the sun going (which is usual when on progesterone) except for the spotting, which made the TWW irritating 😅 one thing to bear in mind is that it can do funny things to your next period. Mine was delayed by about four days, but almost immediately after my period ended I started getting EWCM so I did the OPKs, and it seems like my body was ovulating like it would have done (at the same times) as though my period hadn't been delayed. My next period is predicted to be in four days according to FF and Premom, but I know it's starting sooner than that, like it would have done without the delay.

Hi @LynzyG - sorry to hear about your blighted ovum; I had never actually heard of this before. I know what you mean about symptom spotting - I know in my heart that I’m out for this month; I’ve had spotting 6dpo, today and yesterday (13 and 14dpo) and my BBT went through the floor this morning but until af arrives I’m still convincing myself that every little feeling or symptom might be a sign that it might finally be my turn this month! Honestly drives you crazy 😂

@mushroomushroom I’m also sorry you’ve had such a saga with your endo! And again really sorry about your loss; that must have been so, so hard at 12 weeks. Hopefully your IVF consultation goes well and you can get a plan in place. That’s interesting what you said about progesterone - I hadn’t realised there were any downsides to taking it (apart from the psychological toll of having all of these pregnancy symptoms!) so that may explain why my doctor is reluctant to prescribe it unless it is clearly necessary…

Hi all I’m in a similar position with pre period spotting and ttc for a couple years and unexplained infertility. Any hope/advice would be much appreciated although I know this is an old post now. Thanks

Hi, I know this is an old post but I have the same issue as @Anon1363847291 . I have been TTC for two years, and have had spotting for around a week every month before my period since we started trying (didn’t have spotting previously). I’ve mentioned this to the Dr, my IVF clinic, my acupuncturist, my gynaecologist (who did my endometriosis surgery earlier this year) but no one can explain why this is happening. My progesterone levels are not an issue and every other test I have had done (so many) has been fine.

Has anyone else made the link to diet? I think I might have IBS and inflammation in the gut, as have noticed when I eat a high fodmap food in the week leading up to my period such as chilli, onion or bread, I’ll start spotting the next day so think that might be the cause.

I’ve made an appt with a nutritionist. I can’t find anyone that can corroborate my theory, but it happens like clockwork, high fodmap foods trigger spotting during the week before period is due. Anyone else?