Spotting 5 days before period? Preparing for TTC aged 34

[Lilliesbloomy]

Hi, preparing to TTC soon for baby number 1 but I’m really worried something is already wrong. I don’t want to come across as insensitive to those who have been TTC for a while but I just want to make sure I’m in the best position and am informed before we start trying which is ASAP. I’m 34 years old

I’ve been spotting before my period for a few years now, it doesn’t happen every cycle but about 80% of them. Averages about 4/5 days but it can be anywhere from 2 days to 7 days! :( So I spot for ages, have 2 heavy days of period, 1 medium, then spot again for a few days.

Also been tracking my ovulation in preparation and I seem to ovulate quite late, CD19, but then my cycles are on the longer side (32) so I guess that’s not so much of a worry. I am regular ish but I do stretch this as I vary with about 3 days difference.

My final worry is about 50% of the time at least I bleed in the middle of my cycle, around ovulation, with some bleeding after sex too sometimes.

I did have a colposcopy which found no issues in terms of why I bleed mid month/after sex, but this makes me worry that the underlying reason is hormonal?

The colposcopist referred me to Gynae but I’ve been warned about a 8 month plus waiting list, plus I’ve never even been asked to do any blood tests or anything which surely would need doing too?

Ive also experienced some strange things in the last year such as peach fuzz growing and some facial hair like some thick chin hairs and a moustache I have to wax really regularly, this sort of sprung out of nowhere. Could just be age?

Has anyone experienced any of the above and gone on to conceive successfully? Does anyone have any suggestions on what is causing these symptoms and what might help? My worry is that I’m perimenopausal or something and/or my progesterone levels are off. I’m tempted to shell out for private fertility tests but unsure if this is jumping the gun as we haven’t done first TTC cycle yet.

Thanks :)

Could be many things like hormonal imbalance, low progesterone, pcos or it also could be completely normal for you and won’t cause any problems. Only way to know is to get test. Maybe start with some blood tests see where your hormones are at.

Not even a clairvoyant will be to answer all those questions I'm afraid. It's natural to anticipate negative but very helpful to take things as they come.

Thank you. Can I just ring my GP and request bloods though, even though I haven’t had any TTC problems yet? I’ve raised this issue with them multiple times but I get fobbed off and am just told “not to worry”. Or do I wait until gynaecology appt and have bloods done there? New to this and not sure how it works

@Lilliesbloomy I would go to a private lab and request the tests. If you do then request tests for FSH, AMH, TSH, prolactin, progesterone, testosterone. Synlab does them pretty cheap.

Spotting could also be attributed to a short luteal phase, potentially from hormonal imbalancr. Agree with above post to get bloodwork done to see what medication could support you TTC. Good luck 🤞🏼🍀

I always used to spot before my period, sometimes a whole week before. I conceived after a few months. That cycle I also had spotting starting 5 dpo but it stopped after a couple of days, which is why I thought I was probably pregnant. I’m 16 weeks now.

I know it's an old post but on the off chance it helps anyone, I was spotting from about day 21 of my cycle. Went to the GP, ended up getting a private ultra sound and hysterectomy to check for polyps. Was advised it was my progesterone hormone levels dropping too soo , and the only thing I could do was take the pill if I didn't want the spotting.
After lots of googling and doing my own research I found the one thing that helps massively is having organic milk. On a cycle when I only have organic milk I might get 2 days of spotting, if I have normal milk I get at least 7 days.

Also as an update and as this thread has bumped up my ‘I’m on’ list! My baby is 4 months old now, since my periods and ovulation restarted after having him I don’t spot at all which makes me believe it’s a hormonal problem.