Luteal phase bleeding

[PlntLady]

for our appointment to start ivf.
.... thing is almost every month from 1dpo I am spotting. Its bright red, occasionally with very small clots and as heavy as a light period. This will happen through my luteal phase. It started about 1 year ago (ironically), was just the occasional spotting, but has pretty much consistently got heavier as the months have gone on. I've been checked out by my gp, gynecologists and fertility consultant and all have said there is nothing wrong but they dont know what it is. I've a had blood test, colposcopy, an ultrasound and an xray and they all show nothing. I am ovulating each month (21 days bloods, opks and bbts to show this).
The only thing I can think of is ovulation bleeding... but surely it shouldn't be this heavy, prolonged and get progressively heavier with each month?!
Any ideas anyone? Has anyone had anything similar?
I'm so desperate for the answer now and I feel like whatever it is, it must be the reason for not having had my bfp yet. 😔

I spot a lot but not that early on and I think I have a progesterone issue. Not diagnosed mind. I had a baby via clomid which I think forces my body into action more so than naturally which helps with my progesterone levels. I can ovulate on my own, but if my progesterone isn't high enough and my lining starts to shed nothing can possibly stick anyway. That's my logic, and probably what I would look at in your shoes. My consultant told me the NHS doesn't 'believe' in low progesterone issues. But in other countries progesterone is given to aid conception in situations with excessive spotting prior to periods.

I am having the same issue. I used to start spotting at 8/9 dpo, then it began starting at 7 dpo and the last 2 cycles it is starting at 4/5 dpo.

I just got bloods done to check my thyroid levels, progesterone, amh, and vitamin D. I also asked for my cortisol levels to be checked.

I suspect I have thyroid issues. I will know more next week when the results come back.

Hi there, I’m not sure if you have got any further with your investigations and diagnosis but thought I would add my comment to see if it helps.

I too have had Luteal phase bleeding ranging from 2dpo onwards on a bad month to 7dpo onwards on a better month. It has been going on for years . Have been ttc for 4 years with no luck so far.

I have had all blood tests , all came back fine, 2 ultra sounds , a HsG scan all showed nothing abnormal. Eventually gynaecologist #2 out of 3 that I have seen so far suggested progesterone pessaries during luteal phase. These slowed the bleeding and made it more manageable but didn’t stop it completely , and still no baby .

onto gynaecologist #3 who suggested it might be a polyp . I have asked at each scan whether I had polyps / cysts / fibroids and was told absolutely no , none to see whatsoever. Onto gynaecologist #3 I burst into tears because we weren’t getting anywhere and I was struggling to get anyone to take it seriously. Gynaecologist #3 sent me for a hysteroscopy ( camera inside womb) , first scan showed something that looked like the moon 🌝 on a pinkish sky but the nurse didn’t know what it was . Second hysteroscopy in ( with a consultant this time) showed 5. Yes 5 little polyps in a ring around the base of my uterus which she thinks are ‘more than likely ‘causing the issue. After 3.5 years of fertility investigation and 8 years of asking what the hell this bleeding was , someone has actually found something. I’m waiting for the op to remove them - I don’t yet know whether they are definitely the issue but wanted to write because polyps had been written off totally because they couldn’t be seen on any of the scans.

luteal phase bleeding is common and can often be hormonal but mine is heavier than spotting and is more like a light period, it shatters me completely and I’m sure is the cause of my infertility.

if hormones levels are fine little polyps could be the issue even if they weren’t seen on TVU . Worth asking and pressing them in my experience, I’m not in pain really ( light cramps ) so I’ve been fobbed off with it for years and it has made me miserable.

Hope you get sorted soon xx