Stop / Start period!

[Youngatheart00]

Over the last year I’ve been finding my period is slow to start. It’ll typically start with a rush of bright red blood, roundabout day 28 of cycle, often brought on by a bowel movement (but bleeding definitely vaginal).

In the few days lead up to that I have classic PMT symptoms. Bloating, anxiety, irritability, sore boobs.

But then it tails off into brown-ish discharge / very light flow for a few days such that it’s barely worth using a tampon. Then, 3 days after the initial bleed, I have a couple of days of heavy flow and sometimes clots.

Confused as to why it’s like this and what I count as day one of my cycle?

Anyone? Am I most definitely A freak of nature??!

Your day 1 of cycle is the day when your heavy flow starts. Your cycle is very normal to perimenopause cycle. In perimenopause women have 2-3 days spotting before period. As you progress further into perimenopause, spotting changes to very light flow before actual period. The flow is so light that blood stays in vaginal folds and when released is usually brown in colour. If you are not of perimenopausal age and having pre period spotting then it is caused by low progesterone levels. In such case ask GP to run a blood test. If your periods are painful and heavy then pre period spotting could also mean fibroids.

Thank you for your helpful reply.

I’m 37 so seems a bit early for peri menopause albeit I suppose it can’t be ruled out. Re fibroids I think it’s probably unlikely as ive had several rounds of IVF and plenty of internal scans and couple of laparoscopies so I would have thought they would have spotted that. It’s been several (4) months since my last failed IVF so I guess my hormone levels could still be adjusting but the low progesterone is an interesting one. It’s just very annoying as AF seems to drag on for the best part of 8-9 days given the horrible PMS followed by the false start and then finally settling in to ‘normal’ AF days 4-5 (or maybe this is actually day 1-2...)

Really sorry to hear that your last IVF did not work, it must be really disappointing. I do not know the ins and out of Ivf but as far as I know the treatment does suppress your natural menstrual cycle to increase egg production. Could be your body is still adjusting to the hormonal changes and it is taking time for your body to follow it's natural balance of estrogen- progesterone and lh-fsh. I don't think a GP will be able to guide you as it is not their area of expertise but you can discuss your case and ask for a Gynaecological referral. I would advise you to make a period diary with your symptoms, spotting days and light/medium/heavy days for 3 months and have a discussion with your GP.