TTC - super light periods

[Allelbowsandtoes]

Hi all
Hope it's okay to post this here, I did a search but couldn't find the same question.
DP and I have been TTC for 18 months. At 12 months I had some basic bloods, all fine. DP had sperm count test, also fine.
I went back to my GP recently as my periods seem to be getting lighter (and they've been on the light side anyway since I came off the pill).
Told GP that periods are basically super light spotting(only really see it when wiping, don't need sanitary protection) for a few days then 24 hours of actual flow, which is only around 12-20 mls (measured in moon cup).

GP seemed unworroed but has ordered more bloods for the start of my next cycle, including hormone screening.

Should I be pushing for more? I'm not a doctor but it feels like something isn't quite right. I tried to read the NICE guidance but found it confusing and unclear.

That is weird tbf, perhaps they're not actually periods and cycle is longer than you think? How old are you if you don't mind me asking

I think they're periods....they come every 28 days give or take a day and I get an LH surge on day 15 or 16. I could be wrong though.
I'm 35. Not sure if its relevant but I'm reasonably healthy....healthy weight, eat nutritious foods, exercise quite a bit. I'm taking prenatal vitamins too.

Hey @Allelbowsandtoes sorry to hear this is worrying you, I can really relate.

I have done lots of searching on here, and seems strangely light 'periods' are a huge shared issue after stopping the pill.

That said, I have found quite a few success stories on here too despite their light bleeding. As other poster has said, if they are regular, even if they're light they probably are periods and a regular cycle of some sort is still good.

Given how long you've been trying though, yes I would push harder. If I were you I'd want to know if my lining was becoming thick enough for successful implantation - I believe that involves a scan at a certain part of your cycle to check thickness. So I'd push for that.

Also, if you are a bit older, I'd also nudge them saying you have concerns about peri-menopause, even if more just to get them to reassure you it's definitely not that.

What pill were you on and how long for?

Good luck 🤞

I can really relate I’d say I have period for around 24 hours and maybe one day after bits of blood but not a lot. I also stopped taking the pill a year ago and we have been trying to ttc since January and nothing as of yet. I haven’t been to the doctors yet but this is the plan in the new year I can’t help but think something is wrong. However I do know everybody’s periods are completley different and I know those who have similar periods have conceived . It is so frustrating though isn’t it. Hope you get some more answers soon. I have been trying to use pre seed recently as I also don’t feel like I produce enough EWCM not sure if that’s related to my periods or coming off the pill

Thanks for your response :)
I had been wondering how I would have implantation with such a thin lining so will push them about that, and ask about perimenopause.
I was on microgynon (and maybe another type, can't remember) from age of 15 until 34! So a long long time.

Thanks for your reply and I'm sorry you're going through the same thing too. I hope you get some answers too - I'd go to GP soon if you can to get things started, mine have been frustratingly chill about the whole thing!
Good luck x

Try acupuncture for fertility and fertility reflexology. Both worked for me. I was 35 with light periods and colour was brown. It should be bright red and healthy flow. Western medicine offered me nothing

Ahh that’s so frustrating for you as I’m sure you just want more answers. I know people say when you stop thinking and trying it usually happens however I can’t see that happening haha!! I really hope you get your positive soon Xx

I have naturally light periods, about like you describe yours (haven't been on the pill for about 15 years now). I conceived straightaway every time I tried.

Interesting, thanks for this perspective, I might look into it. Really glad it worked for you.

I would say this is reassuring but I haven't conceived after 18 months of trying, so... 😅

Obviously that's concerning and I hope you conceive and/or get some progress. I'm just saying that light periods aren't necessarily a problem.

You have been off the pill for some time I would've expected your body would have adjusted by now.

But it is possible that outside of the pill you would have had naturally lighter periods.

Yeah I guess they may have tapered off as I got older- I do remember them being reasonably heavy when I was younger though for the couple of years before I was on the pill 😳

I am 36 and have had light periods since coming off the pill nearly 2 years ago. I get 36 hrs of proper red bleeding then a few days of very light spotting (only really when wiping).

Any doctor I’ve brought it up to has said it’s not an issue re TTC. And I’ve now had numerous pelvic scans which all show a decent enough lining so it’s not necessarily an issue, despite the logic of thinking it would be.

That being said, Ive been TTC for 17 months and am about to start my first round of IVF. At your age, I’d be pushing for a referral to a fertility clinic to get the ball rolling as the NHS wait times can be ridiculous.

Thanks, its reassuring that doctors say it shouldn't be an issue. Did you have the pelvic scans privately or on the NHS?
I'm going to see what these bloods results say and then start pushing for more investigations. The GP I saw before said that they wouldn't refer to a fertility clinic until we've been ttc for two years, I'll try to book in with a different GP though.

I hope all goes well for you....Good luck 🖤

Thanks :)

A bit of a mixture of NHS and private for the scans. GP ordered one to go with the day 3 and day 21 bloods I had done after 6 months. I've then had a couple at my NHS fertility clinic. And then I've had one privately as we were going private for IVF until the NHS realised my AMH was low and they needed to get a move on.

I didn't read your posts properly and thought you'd had your initial bloods done. Yes, wait and see what the results are from that. My GP was willing to refer me to the fertility clinic after 6 months because I was 35. If they won't refer you before 2 years, I'd definitely recommend getting a private AMH test and semen analysis if your other bloods are good. If we'd had my AMH result earlier in the process it would have been really useful as we would probably have made some different choices. Hopefully you'll be pregnant before needing to worry about any of that, though!

I have naturally light periods like you describe and got pregnant on cycle 6. However, like a PP I haven't been on contraception of any sought for a number of years (close to 13) so perhaps your periods are naturally light but its the contraception that is causing you some issues even though you stopped 18 months ago?

Heya just jumping on the thread just to say I was in a very similar position to you - was on the combined pill between ages 15-30, came off and had regular periods but they were very very light - went to the doctor and they ran bloods and said I had polycystic ovaries (but not PCOS) and everything was fine. I was still a bit unconvinced as also TTC but I guess as long as you have had a scan and they have measured your lining it should be okay? Anyway I have started acupuncture for a couple of months now and that has definitely helped to regulate my flow and make it more heavy, although 11 months TTC now and still haven’t conceived. So if your bloods all come back okay I would definitely look into acupuncture, although it is unfortunately expensive!

Thanks for taking the time to reply, that's helpful. I hadn't even heard of AMH before!
Will chase up my docs after these bloods and start pushing more.

Thanks, I haven't had any sort of pelvic scan but I will ask about that. I'll also look into the acupuncture to see if it's affordable!
Good luck and I hope you have good news soon x

I don’t have anything useful to offer, OP, but I’m also a bit concerned about light periods. I don’t know if mine changed after being on the pill, or after a MC earlier this year. It’s now 2 days of spotting when I wipe, then 2 days of the lightest flow, and I also use a moon cup so think it’s less than 20ml total, which is under what all online sources think is normal. Just started TTC again after my MMC and considering going to the doc if there’s no change in the next cycle or 2.

Thank you for setting up this thread op. I was just wondering how you are getting on and if you found a way to lengthen your period? Mine have also been very light since coming off the pill (1-2 days light bleeding).