Can the type and nature of your preAF spotting explain infertility?

[calm]

I was just reading a thread where ladies were talking about spotting, and if spotting was an indication of fertility problems.

From what I could gather from the replies, many ladies spot, and when pregnant they either spot or not, but the thing is they do have successful pregnancies and can get pregnancy without much problems. So spotting in itself doesn't seem to say much. However, one lady said that it depends what your spotting is like, and I pricked my ears up on this one as I have never thought of it like that.

My spotting: It can be pale brown, tan brown, dark brown, red, pink, or black (like black strands sort of thing), and will usually alternate through this rainbow until AF finally comes. It usually more present when I wipe and hardly ever in my panty liner. It drains me mentally and physically, and I much prefer AF, but that is not really important I suppose. The lady in question said that if you spotting was like mine, it could mean you have a luteal phase deficiency from a lack of progesterone. Could anyone tell me anything about this? I am lucky to have my fertility doctor appointment in 1 month, but I would like to know some things beforehand. Any feedback of spotting would be great. Thanks X

 

[calm]

Aw no-one replies to my threads lately, I am feeling very unpopular and unloved

 

[kiki04]

I dont really know but this has peaked my interest. In all my life I never had pre AF spotting, and now I do... like 2 days of pre spotting before she hits fully... and thus, I cant conceive. I have actually pondered myself if I have a progesterone problem... but I did have a progesterone test and it showed I did ov.... but that was it.

 

[Spockette]

Hi calm,
This quite interesting. I have a very short cycle (22-23 days ) with a short LP of anything between 7-9 days. I always spot for a few days first. Sometimes my spotting is pink, other times (like this month) I spotted brown, then it got pinker and then flowed red. ( sorry TMI ). Whether it means something or not, I have no idea but I just know deep down inside that something is not right.
My progesterone and other blood results were absolutely fine. But according to a lady on my other thread who saw her doctor, it could be the uterine lining....

Xx

 

[missy545]

The past 2 months I have suddenly had spotting preAF for about a week. The first time I assumed i was finally pregnant. Not the case. I started fertility treatments shortly after spoke to the dr. He sais that's it's very normal and doesn't mean anything. I also tested very normal the past 2 months but am spotting yet again. Hoping it means something this month...9 days til I test...

 

[calm]

I dont really know but this has peaked my interest. In all my life I never had pre AF spotting, and now I do... like 2 days of pre spotting before she hits fully... and thus, I cant conceive. I have actually pondered myself if I have a progesterone problem... but I did have a progesterone test and it showed I did ov.... but that was it.

I am no way an expert, but the thing is if the progesterone stays up enough to keep a pregnancy going, and that can include the days even before our period. I think I have seen tests where they test the progesterone in different moments in the 2WW.

Hi calm,
This quite interesting. I have a very short cycle (22-23 days ) with a short LP of anything between 7-9 days. I always spot for a few days first. Sometimes my spotting is pink, other times (like this month) I spotted brown, then it got pinker and then flowed red. ( sorry TMI ). Whether it means something or not, I have no idea but I just know deep down inside that something is not right.
My progesterone and other blood results were absolutely fine. But according to a lady on my other thread who saw her doctor, it could be the uterine lining....

I really don't know about the uterine lining theory, its worth asking your doctor though

The past 2 months I have suddenly had spotting preAF for about a week. The first time I assumed i was finally pregnant. Not the case. I started fertility treatments shortly after spoke to the dr. He sais that's it's very normal and doesn't mean anything. I also tested very normal the past 2 months but am spotting yet again. Hoping it means something this month...9 days til I test...

My docotr said spotting was normal too, but lets see what my fertility doctor says, my guess is it can be normal or not, but if we are having problems getting pregnant it should be looked into, if there is 9 days for your period it could be IB! fingers crossed for you X

 

[Briss]

I do not think spotting is normal. Because lots of women have it our docs just do not pay too much attention to it. Chinese docs for example think it's a problem. I never had spotting before I had hysteroscopy following which I started spotting for a couple of days after my period. I do not know what it means but it cant be good. Sometimes I spot for a day before AF, light brown type of spotting but i need a panty liner.

I knew a few ladies here who spotted in TWW - seems to be a sign of low progesterone cos if you start using progesterone spotting stops. however, I do not think this will prevent you from getting pregnant. but if you get pregnant it's very likely you wont be spotting in TWW in that cycle.

 

[calm]

I do not think spotting is normal. Because lots of women have it our docs just do not pay too much attention to it. Chinese docs for example think it's a problem. I never had spotting before I had hysteroscopy following which I started spotting for a couple of days after my period. I do not know what it means but it cant be good. Sometimes I spot for a day before AF, light brown type of spotting but i need a panty liner.

I knew a few ladies here who spotted in TWW - seems to be a sign of low progesterone cos if you start using progesterone spotting stops. however, I do not think this will prevent you from getting pregnant. but if you get pregnant it's very likely you wont be spotting in TWW in that cycle.

Yes, I agree with that. I think spotting is not normal either, but if you are fertile and having babies why worry must be the general attitude of doctors.

 

[susan_1981]

It took me 3.5 years to fall pregnant with my son and I developed a problem with spotting. I had quite a few cycles where I would start spotting from about 5dpo all the way through until 12dpo when AF would arrive. I had lots of tests done which didn't find any fertility issues with me and I did eventually fall pregnant with my son. Having said that, the spotting issue had stopped by then. I've always had spotting before my period but usually only for a day or so. Mine was always a brownish colour to begin and would get pinker as AF neared x

 

[calm]

Thank you for that info Susan. I am glad you could finally get your baby, do you know why the spotting stopped?

Does anyone ever have black spotting, or black clotty sort of spotting? I only get it some of the time of my spotting, but even so, its still there. I read that this type of spotting is supposed to be the when you have low progresterone, but I get the sneaky feeling that when I get bloods everything will be normal. Its not that I want things to be abnormal, just wanting to understand the whys of spotting as it gives me a bad vibe.

 

[Normajean951]

I was ttc for about 16 months and the two months prior to bfp I had spotting which I had never had before. I assumed it meant I was close to getting pregnant. Maybe a chemical pregnancy? I'm not positive but sure enough my next cycle I had spotting thought it was af and suddenly about 7 weeks later I realized I had dark veins on my chest. I took 13 tests and they were all positive. I really couldn't believe it after getting so many negatives. I had actually given up which is why I didn't test sooner. Anyway for me spotting turned out to be an indicator that I would soon be pregnant. Point is I do not believe spotting is always a bad thing. Sometimes it means your pregnant.

 

[susan_1981]

I never got an answer for it but in the lovely days before LTTTC and when I was on the pill, if I missed one, I'd always have spotting which my friends never had. Before I had my son, I used to suffer so badly with period pains. They were sometimes so bad that I needed to take a moment to crouch over and try to recover. I was almost certain that this, combined with the spotting, was a sign of something not being right. But I had a pelvic scan, hcg or hsg (I can't remember what it's called but the one where they run dye through your tubes to check they're clear), lap and dye, smear tests and all was absolutely normal. My lining looked normal too for the time I was at in my cycle so there was no explanation for it. And it just corrected itself. I never had black spotting though. Always brown/pink/red. So that to me sounds like something to be looked into. Also, just to add, I started to get ovulation bleeding which was sometimes quite heavy. The month I fell pregnant actually, I had quite a lot of very dark red/brown blood the day before and after I ovulated. This was the worst I'd had it as it was almost like a medium flow period on those 2 days. I'd started having ovulation spotting for the past year before I fell pregnant so it all seemed pretty odd. I haven't had it since having my son and nor have I had the excruciating period pains.

I hope you get some answers and your BFP soon xxx

 

[calm]

But I would say NormaJean that if you weren't having any spotting before, but had it when pregnant, that is certainly normal IB spotting, or if you had it one other month it was probably a chemical. But for me that is not pre AF spotting, its pregnancy related spotting.

I wouldn't say either that pre AF spotting means you have a problem and won't get pregnant, because many women have this and get pregnant without a problem. But I do think it does indicate some sort of problem, that might (or not) at some point interfere with a woman's fertility.

Thanks Susan, I will certainly tell the fertility doctor about the spotting, see what he says!

I might ask a question about the black spotting in the general TTC section and if there is any helpful answers post here. X

 

[Briss]

I never had black spotting but I had a day of dark red/black blood during period a couple of cycles following hysteroscopy. I understand that black means old blood from the last period. However, because yours is spotting in TWW rather than period it might be a sign of infection so better get it checked just to be on the safe side

 

[Madgirl]

Yes I have the dark brown/black stringy spotting when wiping, usually it is not enough to need a liner. I hate it!

The only thing that has helped is huge amounts of progesterone cream, like at least 1 teaspoon twice a day. I still have a little spotting but it isnt black anymore, more just a light tan and only when i check internally. I just got some prescription strength progesterone and am hoping it is strong enough to keep it away completely. I will try and remember to keep you updated after I O and get to try it out.

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is!

 

[amysueno]

The only spotting related info I've ever gotten was from a holistic doc who suggested that if you were spotting dark (like chocolate or darker) that this was blood left over from the last cycle which was being washed away before your new AF. (I know, kinda gross to imagine blood hanging out that long.)
She said that it's pretty common but it may be a sign that your body is not flushing out all the blood and tissue during AF. Her prescriptions of massage and acupuncture were related to helping to increase blood flow in the region so AF could be more efficient.
I have been doing acupuncture for several months now and I am spotting less before my period. (Periods are also longer and more painful - which Doc says means they are moving more blood more effectively. Sigh!)

 

[calm]

I never had black spotting but I had a day of dark red/black blood during period a couple of cycles following hysteroscopy. I understand that black means old blood from the last period. However, because yours is spotting in TWW rather than period it might be a sign of infection so better get it checked just to be on the safe side

Thank you Briss. I have the fertility doctor at the end of the month and a smear in March so if there is an infection hopefully it will be detected then. XXX

Yes I have the dark brown/black stringy spotting when wiping, usually it is not enough to need a liner. I hate it!

The only thing that has helped is huge amounts of progesterone cream, like at least 1 teaspoon twice a day. I still have a little spotting but it isnt black anymore, more just a light tan and only when i check internally. I just got some prescription strength progesterone and am hoping it is strong enough to keep it away completely. I will try and remember to keep you updated after I O and get to try it out.

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is!

If you can update that would be great thank you. I have never used cream or pills of progesterone, see if the fertility doctor thinks I need it. It looks like you are more sorted out, crossed fingers its taking you towards a BFP soon XXX

The only spotting related info I've ever gotten was from a holistic doc who suggested that if you were spotting dark (like chocolate or darker) that this was blood left over from the last cycle which was being washed away before your new AF. (I know, kinda gross to imagine blood hanging out that long.)
She said that it's pretty common but it may be a sign that your body is not flushing out all the blood and tissue during AF. Her prescriptions of massage and acupuncture were related to helping to increase blood flow in the region so AF could be more efficient.
I have been doing acupuncture for several months now and I am spotting less before my period. (Periods are also longer and more painful - which Doc says means they are moving more blood more effectively. Sigh!)

I have thought this before, because my periods have always been shorter and not too heavy, and don't get too much pain either. It sounds like your periods are acting more normal, though the pain bit sounds awful, but then again if its whats going to make you get your BFP then so be it XXX

 

[JL1363]

Hi Calm,

I was just diagnosed with a luteal phase defect due to low progesterone and my RE has prescribed me progesterone suppositories to help. I haven't actually started using them yet (this is my first month with them and I don't start them until after I ovulate), but I'm hoping this will fix the problem. I definitely have spotting for 1-2 days before my period every month (it's usually pinkish or bright red, but never enough to even show on a panty liner, just when I wipe - sorry tmi!!). My RE wasn't so concerned about the spotting, but more how soon it would start after I ovulated (within 7-8 days). It's such an interesting theory though, especially because it seems to happen to so many women with fertility issues! GL with your tests, hopefully you get some answers soon!

 

[Bluenpinkmom]

more than spottting itself, what is more important is for how long before af you spot.. suppose if you have a LP of 14 days and you spot for a day or half before that then it is completely fine. But if you spot for more 2 to 3 days then it is a concern.. my doc thinks the period should begin as red flow or begin after a small time of spotting (like within a day of spotting) in the ideal condition... prolonged spotting before af may signal some defiency with progesterone.. not trying to scare you but this is something my best friend has gone through... Good luck with your appointment !!

 

[calm]

Thank you bluenpinkmom, I will update if progresterone is the culprit. I must say, that I have had improved spotting this cycle (its just turned into AF), it was lighter, and more 2 days than the usual 4. I have been doing yoga/streching exercises for nearl a month now and wonder if I can improve my spotting by this type of exercise. I will continue to inform beep beep beep XXX