Could I still be testing too early, or am I just kidding myself...?

[pinkpip100]

Hi
We're TTC no 3. I have PCOS and pretty long, irregular cycles - the last 3 have been 42 days.

This month I think I ovulated on CD20 (based on CM). On CD 28 (8 DPO) I had some brown spotting, very light and only lasted around 12 hours. I tested on Monday (CD31/11 DPO) and just now (CD33/13 DPO), both were definite BFNs.

I know based on the recent length of my cycles, and even the number of DPO, it is pretty early to be testing. But, if the spotting was an implantation bleed as I had hoped, surely by 5 days later I could expect to get a BFP?

I have a few symptoms, but no more than I had last month when I wasn't pregnant, so I'm not reading much into those.

I know I'm not a regular on here, but I feel like I'm driving myself up the wall with the 'could I be...' speculation, so any advice would be really appreciated!

Thanks, Ursula.

Hey Pinkpip FWIW I have only just got a definate BFP at 31DPO!!!! Previously i had a loads of definate BFNS...so its not over yet!!

Wow Emma, 31 DPO, that was a long wait for you... Congratulations, by the way!

Thanks!! Yes...a very long wait!! You either need serious levels of patience, or very deep pockets!!

I know - I was determined not to test at all until the weekend, and I've done two already! No tests left in the house now, so at least the immediate temptation is gone for now.

Hi Ursula,

PCOS is a PITA if you pardon the expression.
With PCOS the likelihood of you ovulating every month is not good. "Indicators" like CM can be misleading or at worst downright wrong.

The surest way of knowing whether you;ve ovulated or not in a particular month is to have a blood test done. D'you have any idea of what your hormone levels are like currently?. If they are out of sync then ovulation will be affected.

If the spotting continues I'd get this checked out by the GP to establish the actual cause. Brown blood is old blood. It can also be caused by a lack of progesterone.

Bearing in mind as well the recent negative test results I would hold off further testing for now (seeing repeated negs as well can be soul destroying).

Thanks for your response AttilaTheMeerkat. PCOS is definitely a PITA. I never seem to know where I am with cycles all over the place.

I did manage to get pg with DS1 and DS2 with long and irregular cycles (averaging 35 days with DS1, 42 days with DS2), but I don't have any idea about my hormone levels at the moment, so I guess its very possible that I haven't been ovulating, despite the EWCM. My GP isn't much help I'm afraid, not long before we started TTC I had an 70 day cycle and asked her about it, hoping she might refer me for blood tests to check my hormone levels - her only suggestion was to go on the pill!

This is the first month that I've had any spotting (aside from on the day before AF arrives), but if it continues I will brave the GP again. And you're right about negative pregnancy tests being soul destroying, I wish i could resist the temptation to test.

Hi Ursula

As a fellow PCOSer you have my empathy.

Your GP sounds hopeless if you don't mind me saying so. Her suggestion to go on the pill is of course of no use if you're trying to conceive. Also the other thing it does is mask the PCOS symptoms.

If there is another GP in this practice I would see that person. BTW you may want to look at the other thread on these pages about PCOS called "PCOS - Anybody in the same boat" - as there's a lot of PCOSers on there too and they will give you support and encouragement.

Do brave the GPs again if you continue to spot.

Verity's website is good if you haven't already come across it - [www.verity-pcos.org.uk]].

HTH and good luck!!

Attila