When do you mark the start of your period?

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Might sound odd but I've one friend who said she had the same too.
For a few years I've had a kind of v small amount of spotting then my period would start properly in a couple of days, that's when I would say my period started (and note it on Fitbit)
Over the last 4/5 months the amount was more at the start and the gap longer between it starting properly, currently about 5 days! I don't need a pad/cup but still do, just in case, bit of a pain and I guess it's just peri as I'm 43.
Does anyone else have this and does my period start at the spotting or when it properly starts?

I’m the same and I count my period as when full flow starts, after about 3 days of spottinf

This has started happening to me, I'm 36. I count it from first proper bleed, usually that's when I get the pain too.

I get period pain and then stronger cramps and my period. No spotting at all prior.

Low progesterone is the cause :) In peri you produce less in the 2nd half of the cycle and sometimes, if ovulation doesn't happen, none at all.

Low progesterone means the lining breaks down and can do that gradually - so you get spotting- before the full flow.

In theory, it starts with the first drop of blood even if that is 2-3 days before the full flow.

That makes sense, For me that was my main symptom before going on HRT in June, periods which were only really spotting, usually when I went to the toilet. TBH my periods are still pretty much like that now even on HRT and I have changed my HRT to a 2mg one. Wondering it that means that I'm now not producing any progesterone on my own.

I had this too. I think I marked it differently each time as I wasnt sure what is the best way either. Anyway the spotting went away or almost away when I started to practise vaginal steaming. Plus trying to look after myself/ not overstretch myself, especially so during premenstrual phase.

I am 43 now and have had exactly the same since I turned 41. Its so annoying.

I’m only 34 and my period has been like it this month! Yesterday I had one brown clot and nothing.

Today, brown again and nothing.

Keep waiting for the flow. A little concerned, had lletz procedure done in November and my booster in December. Wondering what’s going on.

I count it from the first day of full-bodied flow!

I also tend to get some brown spotting in advance. I feel like, over time, the spotting has been getting a bit more drawn out (so it may now occur for 2-3 days), and sometimes I even get spotting then a break for a day or two before my period arrives. I understand that this is common in perimenopause due to hormonal changes

I'm 38 and I have had this for the past few years, along with so many more peri-menopausal symptoms. I've had blood tests to measure hormones because my doctor says it's impossible for me to be in peri at my age 🙄 but they've always came back normal. Now I'm thinking it's because I had them on 2nd day of spotting rather than 2nd day of full flow.