Irregular periods, spotting and other symptoms since miscarriage

[Becky348]

Hi everyone,
I just wondered if anyone has had a similar experience to me, or has any advice please?

I had a MMC at 8 weeks and an MVA back in April. My period returned after 3 weeks and I had 2 fairly normal cycles. But for the past 3 cycles I’ve had brown spotting for between 4 - 7 days before each period. I’ve also had uterus twinges fairly regularly throughout the month for the past few cycles. Not quite pain, but noticeable tenderness.

In addition, I used to have occasional dull period pain but since the miscarriage, the pain has been quite sharp, almost stinging. In the months I’ve had spotting, my pre-period symptoms (like period pain, headache, etc), don’t seem to line up with my actual period starting anymore - by the time it comes along, those symptoms have come and gone.

I’m 39 so I’m wondering if there’s any chance I could be perimenopausal, or if it’s just post miscarriage weirdness, or some other explanation. My GP took some swabs, but it turned out they were just for STDs and Candida, which all came back negative. They’ve also offered to send me for a scan, which I might request. We’re still TTC again, without any success so far, but I’d love to get to the bottom of this beforehand if possible.

Thanks for reading and I’m sorry for everyone here who’s had experience of miscarriage and loss ❤️

[hennie222]

@Becky348 Something similar, but maybe a bit different has happened to me. I had a MMC in December, had a good few "normal" periods but past few months had some spotting mid cycle, which this month turned into pretty much constant spotting. Because of fertility investigations, it was determined that I've got a polyp (which wasn't there when I had the MC - or at least no one said anything) and so that is being given as the explanation. I would persevere with the GP and try to get a scan (probably needs a referral to gynae). I've just been referred but the wait time is something like 48 weeks...........

[Becky348]

@hennie222

@Becky348 Something similar, but maybe a bit different has happened to me. I had a MMC in December, had a good few "normal" periods but past few months had some spotting mid cycle, which this month turned into pretty much constant spotting. Because of fertility investigations, it was determined that I've got a polyp (which wasn't there when I had the MC - or at least no one said anything) and so that is being given as the explanation. I would persevere with the GP and try to get a scan (probably needs a referral to gynae). I've just been referred but the wait time is something like 48 weeks...........

Thanks for the reply @hennie222, your experience does sound quite similar and in that case, I’ll definitely push for a scan. Sorry to hear it’s a polyp - I hope it’s completely harmless and an easy treatment for you x

[Becky348]

Sorry for the bump, but just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience please?

[Laurazeynep]

Hi @Becky348, I am currently experiencing very similar problems with my cycles. I had early miscarriage in February and since then, my periods are very irregular, random spottings which makes me think as implantation bleeding every month. I don’t have any pain or discomfort but my cycles are getting longer and longer. No successful conception so far and it is emotionally exhausting.. I had a gynaecologist appointment for next month, finger crossed they will investigate more.. because my GP was not able to find any answer to what’s going on as all my blood test, thyroid test came normal..

[Becky348]

Hi @Laurazeynep, thanks for replying and I'm sorry that you're going through all of this too.

Your experience does sound pretty similar to mine, although my cycles aren't necessarily getting longer. My thyroid and blood tests also came back normal. I hope you get a constructive answer from the gynaecologist. I'm going to try my GP and a possible gynae referral too. Good luck x

[Esva1983]

Hi Becky
I've had two missed miscarriages and possibly on my way on having my third. I've had surgical management both times and my periods have been very strange. Irregular and light spotting up to 7 days before expected period date. I've had a scan, some blood tests, progesterone blood tests but no answers. I am 40 so could be to do with age BUT I had this problem before going back about 6 years and I convinced I was peri then! All I can think is its hormonal. I googled some supplements to help spotting and they have helped. Last spotting reduced to a tiny bit day before period.

[Becky348]

Hi @Esva1983 I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been through two, possibly 3 miscarriages - I really hope that this third pregnancy (or a future one) has a happier outcome for you. Thanks for sharing your experience, it’s so confusing isn’t it. I’m so torn between wondering if mine is structural or hormonal. Do you mind me asking what supplements you’ve been taking please?

[Esva1983]

Beck348
Hi sorry for the late reply. I did end up having another missed miscarriage unfortunately.
The supplement is agnus cactus.
X

[Becky348]

I’m very sorry to hear that @Esva1983. I hope you’re doing as well as can be, all things considered. Thank you for taking the time to get back to me, I appreciate it - I’ll look into the supplement. I finally have a scan booked in for next month, so hoping for some answers then. Best of luck x

[Blueskies4]

@Becky348 did you manage to get to the bottom of this? I’m experiencing similar.

very sorry to hear about your miscarriage x

[Esva1983]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear you are going through similar.
Unfortunately I have no answers yet. The 3rd fetus was supposed to have been sent off for testing but I've heard nothing back. It took 6 months to get an appointment with gynaecology but then it got cancelled. This appointment has been rescheduled for next week. Its nhs so it will be basic bloods I guess. Not holding much hope tbh. I think they'll say my age is to blame but though I agree to some extent, I'm not sure why I'd have bad luck of 3 in a trot. But hey?! I have no idea where to go from here and have lost most hope now as it feels like I'm getting no support.
I do think the surgery might have affected things though, plus my emergency c section.

[Becky348]

@Esva1983 How frustrating - I'm sorry you haven't had any answers or additional support yet. I hope you do manage to get some soon.

@Blueskies4 I'm sorry to hear you're in the same boat. I haven't had any answers either yet. Plus I'm bleeding more heavily at random times in my cycle now. I recently had a TVU scan, which came back normal. I'm having some blood tests but have to wait for early Feb for an appointment. Have you had your symptoms for long? x

[Blueskies4]

@Esva1983 @Becky348 ah ladies I’m so sorry to hear you’re still going through it, it’s really tough isn’t it..

Ive had irregular cycles since July.. I’m under the NhS recurrent miscarriage clinic, as I’ve had 3 since my daughter (sods law I got the go ahead to start trying again in July and that same month my cycles went to pot!)

Ive recently seen a consultant privately who thinks it’s low progesterone (I haven’t had a test, just based off my symptoms), so has prescribed me pessaries from mid ovulation until my period arrives or I get a positive test.. second month on these so we shall see xx

[Becky348]

Hi @Blueskies4 sorry for the very late reply - that’s such a shame your cycle went awry just at the wrong time, how frustrating! And so sorry to hear you’ve been through 3 miscarriages ❤️ That’s great that you’re getting some support though, including the private consultation - hope the pessaries help and make a difference for you.

I wondered if I have low progesterone too, from symptoms during pregnancy and from my cycles since. I might try for a progesterone test on top of the FSH and thyroid ones that my doctor has ordered. But since my cycle ranges from 20 - 29 days lately, I’m not sure if a day 21 test would be timed right.

All the best to you x

[Esva1983]

Hi all
So, I had my appointment with the NHS gynaecologist and she said my spotting would be down to a hormonal issue but couldn't say what would cause it. She couldn't say it was down to the miscarriages. They said it was common. I think from researching online it could be a progesterone issue maybe.
She has asked me to get blood tests on the first 5 days of my cycle. I asked do i count first day as spotting?! And she said I don't know! She did some swabs at my consultation. God knows what for. She booked a TVU. I've had one before though and it was fine. Then she said depending on results she will do a hysterscopy. She said they only find out reasons for the miscarriages in 15% of women and women my age have 40% chance of miscarriage anyway! I'm losing the will with it tbh now lol and I'm blessed with having a gorgeous 2 year old boy 💗

[Becky348]

Hi @Esva1983 I’m glad you’ve finally got some investigations in motion but that still sounds incredibly frustrating and I’m sorry it’s so disheartening. And I totally know what you mean about not even knowing what to count as day 1 of your cycle.

That’s interesting that it sounds like it’s hormonal in all of our cases. I guess it could be that we’re all late 30s/early 40s and maybe the mc have knocked our hormones out of whack. Hope you get some answers x

[Esva1983]

Thank you. Keep me updated. They were certainly not concerned about the spotting in any way. I think definitely hormonal. Stress can cause it too I think x

[Blueskies4]

Gosh it can feel so flippant can’t it when things are up in the air and there’s no obvious answers… like what hormones?! I’m still awry this cycle.. CD9 ovulated and 22 period! My period seems heavier than usual too very odd!

I can imagine with the stress that it can impact it, but then it’s so hard not to stress - a vicious cycle! X

[Esva1983]

Yes it does feel flippant! I'm hanving random spotting throught my cycle now. Only two days of period.
Had a TV scan today and all normal. Had bloods taken but got to wait for results. Everything take so long

[Blueskies4]

Ah hope your bloods don’t take too long.. good that everything was normal on the scan. But equally you want answers don’t you!

[Becky348]

@Esva1983 @Blueskies4 Sorry it's still so unhelpful and slow-going for you both, hope you get some actual answers and a more regular cycle soon. That's good that your scan was normal Esva.

I'm feeling so fed up with it all too. I've had some bloods back; my FSH and thyroid are both normal but I'm Vitamin D deficient, have low Testosterone and Free Androgen (not sure what that would mean), but most importantly I have very low AMH (0.6).

I've had less spotting lately but am now having sporadic bleeding more heavily at very random times in my cycle and sometimes after dtd. My GP has now started a Gynaecology referral but no idea how long that will take, and then who knows if I'll even have many eggs left by the time I find anything out. It all feels like a very slow waiting game.

[Blueskies4]

@Becky348 I’m sorry you’re fed up and in this position too. It’s really difficult, particularly the waiting.

Do you listen to podcasts at all? I’ve gone down a bit of a rabbit hole this week after finding out my AMH is at the bottom end of my age range (which I’ve only just entered).. I listened to this one and couldn’t recommend it enough (it’s free on Apple Podcasts app);

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dont-tell-me-to-relax-a-fertility-podcast/id1663536357?i=1000609969697

It’s basically a bit of a more positive news story about AMH. The woman on the podcast is a fertility acupuncturist, and talks about how her job is to help women so they don’t have to go for IVF, which is where the focus on AMH stems from and why it gets such a bad name.

She also has a Instagram account and her content has convinced me to save to have some private tests (appreciate this may not be an option for everyone).

Sharing as this may be useful if it’s not something you’ve already considered/come across. X

[Esva1983]

Becky348 and Blueskies have you had these tests privately? Is AMH to do with eggs? How do they test that?
Gyno for me was a 7 month wait but yours will probably be quicker due to sporadic heavier bleeding. Hm
Doing my own research I think my spotting before my period could be a luteal phase defect due to low progesterone and this could be down to my age maybe. I guess it might be why I have been having miscarriages x

[Becky348]

@Blueskies4 Thanks so much for the podcast recommendation, I'm now working my way through the series! That's so interesting that low AMH might actually mean better quality eggs in some cases. Though it sounds more likely in younger age groups.

@Esva1983 Yep, apparently AMH levels can correspond to your total ovarian reserve, so a high number means plenty of eggs left, a low number the opposite. But all the while you're ovulating, you'll still only have one egg a month so it's only useful as a guide and for how you'd respond to IVF I think. It also doesn't tell you anything about egg quality.

I got my blood tests done through Randox, at their clinic, as their Fertility check tested far more than my GP was willing/able to. I'm about to try their Day 21 home finger prick test too, to check my progesterone levels. I got a positive OPK a week ago but I'm not convinced I actually ovulated based on my temperature (just from fitbit, not BBT checking). But either way, it'll be useful to follow my hormone levels from day 3 to 21 of this cycle. The fingerprick test is only £29, so fairly reasonable if you wanted to check yours.

7 months for an appointment must've felt like an age to wait! x

[Blueskies4]

@Becky348 fingers crossed the progesterone test gives you some answers!

No worries, I’ve listened to a couple more podcasts since and found some really good ones. Thought it was interesting when she said we don’t know if people with low AMH have always had it, because it’s mainly used in the context of ivf and those that are struggling to conceive! Food for thought isn’t it xx