Cramps every bfn cycle 6-9dpo - anyone else?

[PoppyPeaches]

Hello I’m lying in bed with mild cramps on 8dpo, and trying to convince myself to stay positive that I might not yet be out! I’ve been Ttc for 11 months now, and every single month I’ve had these cramps somewhere between 6-9dpo, and it’s always ended in a bfn.
I just wondered if anyone else experiences this? Obviously at the beginning I thought it was implantation cramps, however now it’s clearly normal for me. I’m trying to not get too disheartened that this is just another bfn cycle, so was just wondering if a) anyone else gets them b) what causes them and c) did you also have them the month you had a bfp even though it felt the same as every other bfn cycle?

thanks so much xx

Hello - yes me! I could have written this. I conceived in February and had these cramps at this time but sadly ended in MC in June. I've been trying for 4 cycles since and every month I get the cramps at the same time - the first 2 I was convinced I was pregnant as it was the same as when I was but now I think it must not be connected :( I would love to know what's causing them though as I don't remember having them during this timeframe before TTC. Do you have any thoughts on what it could be? Maybe progesterone peaking?! Or maybe it's our bodies trying to implant?!

@serasera19 hi! Thanks so much for taking the time to reply - and to hear you are in the same boat! I’m really sorry to hear about your MC, that must have been so tough, and then the disappointment afterwards thinking you were pg again must be awful :(

it’s really weird isn’t it - I was off the pill for 12m before starting ttc, and can’t say I noticed them, however I’ve been tracking and noting symptoms for the last 11m of Ttc and from my notes I’ve had them every month without fail, ranging from 6-9dpo, some months all of those days, and other months just one. My body is full on trolling me though - over the 11months I’ve had about every symptom going and never a bfp, so clearly I cannot rely on it to alert me correctly beforehand! 🤣

With regards to cause - I think it must be high progesterone (before it drops to start AF) or perhaps high prostaglandins (which I think cause AF cramps and actually make you shed your womb lining and start bleeding). Either way for me I don’t think it can be failed implantation as I said it’s every month and surely one of them would have worked by now!? I’m really hoping it’s high progesterone which could mean it happens in a bfp cycle, but who the hell knows - I’m sick of this TTC rollercoaster now 🤣
are you trying for your first? Xxx

I have cramps before period as well, sometimes a sharper twinge on right side

@MyGardenDaisies thankyou for your reply! Have you ever had a bfp? And if so, did you have your normal mid cycle cramps too that cycle? Thankyou :)

@PoppyPeaches yes, I am a mum of 1, but I don’t remember as I got pregnant with first cycle trying so wasn’t symptom spotting really

Thanks @PoppyPeaches yes it's been a very tough year. That's interesting that you didn't notice these cramps in the 12 months you weren't TTC. The first time I noticed them from around 6dpo was February - the month I got a bfp so it definitely doesn't rule that out but it also doesn't rule it in unfortunately, as I'm finding out as the months go by. It does feel like my body is playing tricks on me. I think it might be the progesterone as you say, but strange how we're only feeling it now we're TTC! The only time I've ever felt cramps before TTC is either the day before or day of my period.
Yes trying for my first - I'm 35 so really hoping it happens soon. How about you? X

@MyGardenDaisies ah I see! Good luck with your next one!

I had mid luteal phase cramps in all 3 of my pregnancies, so each time I've assumed I'm out. With my first pregnancy, I was so convinced I was coming on because the cramps were just like AF cramps, I had a few glasses of wine that week! Was shocked to see a BFP when period never arrived. You're definitely not out till AF arrives. Good luck xx

@serasera19 thats really interesting - I genuinely thought I was the only one experiencing this, no one I know has! I’m having them today too which is 10dpo and as far I can tell I’ve never had them past 9dpo (and then starting again a day before AF) but I’m not going to read too much into it - last month I had nausea, extreme sensitivity to smells and spotting at 9dpo, which I have NEVER had and was convinced was IB, but BFN again, so my body definitely tricks me every month! Aw we’re literally the same - I’m also 35 and TTC my 1st, although no BFP’s at all yet! I wish you the best of luck with everything - it’s nice not to feel so alone in what is a very distressing time! 😊 xx

@CosmicLove thanks so much for your reassuring message! I know it’s not a good idea to symptom spot, but knowing I’m not alone in the symptoms I have and that I may not yet be out this month really helps! Best of luck to you on whatever journey you’re on now xxx

Hey, I was having the same and figured out after a while that it's endometriosis that's causing my cramps in luteal phase. You might want to look into getting checked for endometriosis ❤

Thanks @Piwakawaka2015 I’ll mention in to my doctor when I next go!
Just had another BFN month 😪, AF just started today, FIVE days late, which given I’ve never been more than 1 day late in the entire 18m I’ve been tracking feels particularly upsetting. Onto the next month… 😭😭😭 xxx

Hi! I just wanted to add a little update incase anyone else comes across this thread! I finally got my 1st ever BFP on my 17th cycle TTC, and I most certainly DID get all the normal luteal phase cramps that I get every bfn cycle too! They were perhaps slightly less intense in nature (but not enough to notice and think anything of it, but just in hindsight) but started from 5dpo, and are still intermittently happening now!

I hope this helps anyone else who experiences the same thing, as I used to feel so devastated every month thinking I was already out, when in reality I needn’t have felt so down about it!

xxx