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

[CedarWood]

I had spotting mid cycles for a long time, that was from low progesterone.
That stopped after getting my thyroid treated, now I have begun with brown spotting at the end of AF for a couple days, any ideas on that?

 

[calm]

I had spotting mid cycles for a long time, that was from low progesterone.
That stopped after getting my thyroid treated, now I have begun with brown spotting at the end of AF for a couple days, any ideas on that?

I have a bit of brown spotting too for a day or so after AF, I thought that was quite normal though, but not sure to be honest XXX

 

[Briss]

I also have brown spotting for a day or so after AF but it's not normal it means the blood circulation is not great and uterus is not evacuating normally. I try doing exercises on CD4-5 so help with blood circulation but also there are some chinese herbs that help with that. I read about it in a book but have not tried it yet. Although I do not think this spotting is preventing us from conceiving.

 

[calm]

I also have brown spotting for a day or so after AF but it's not normal it means the blood circulation is not great and uterus is not evacuating normally. I try doing exercises on CD4-5 so help with blood circulation but also there are some chinese herbs that help with that. I read about it in a book but have not tried it yet. Although I do not think this spotting is preventing us from conceiving.

I am doing yoga for fertility which is supposed to take blood to the uterus and the pelvic area, if I don't get pregnant it would at least be interesting to see if it improves my spotting!

 

[Madgirl]

/B]

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

Just thought i would update you. I mentioned before that the OTC progesterone cream had helped lessen the spotting but it wasnt gone 100%. Well the prescription strength did the trick this cycle! I used 200 mg prometrium vaginally and no spotting whatsoever! Hopefully this can help someone.

 

[PinkPeony]

I thought I might chime in too. I have lots of brown spotting starting 7dpo a lot of the time. I hate it! I also have a thin lining and my AF is really light and only last 2-3 days of actual flow. I had some success with acupuncture but then spotting increased again after a while. The cycle I did before this one I was on Clomid and progesterone and like Madgirl said, it was totally gone while on progesterone. I think it might not be the same for everyone but I definitely think there's something going on related to progesterone for me.

 

[calm]

I thought I might chime in too. I have lots of brown spotting starting 7dpo a lot of the time. I hate it! I also have a thin lining and my AF is really light and only last 2-3 days of actual flow. I had some success with acupuncture but then spotting increased again after a while. The cycle I did before this one I was on Clomid and progesterone and like Madgirl said, it was totally gone while on progesterone. I think it might not be the same for everyone but I definitely think there's something going on related to progesterone for me.

7 dpo is very early to start spotting, if the cream works it sounds a good idea to use it, it could just be the reason you are not getting pregnant. I will ask the fertility doctor how I can get some of this cream, if he thinks it could be good in my case, but I think I have other issues, will know for sure when I go the my next appointment and will update then. XXXX

 

[calm]

On another note: anyone that charts and spots, does your temperature always drop when it starts? Lets see if this cycle I chart and I see if this is so. If temps do dip with spotting, I can't see how pregnancy could happen. Can anyone share anything of this?

 

[Blythe]

since i started ttc i have noticed spotting which has been quite common in recent months [apart from two when i thought i had sorted it with a prog cream but it came back the following month when using same cream]. I have had my prog levels checked in 2ww and they were fine.

My spotting changes and is sometimes darker and sometimes just pinky CM [more often the latter]....the first few cycles i got it i could have sworn it was implantation bleed but it no longer excites me

I have stopped with my multivits [pregnacare] and purchased a new improved prog cream for this cycle so see if that will do the trick. I always know i am going to get some spotting because i get those horrid pre AF cramps where i can literally feel the lining detaching sometimes 7 days before AF due.....thats always a bit crap as 2 days warning AF is on her way is bad enough rather than 7.

My AF flow has also reduced significantly in recent months....i wonder if i notice this as i am now using mooncups rather than tampons...anyhow it certainly seems lighter and has a habit of stopping and starting. weird!

im less worried now about spotting than i was a few months back....

 

[PinkPeony]

Blythe that sounds just like me. My AF stops and starts too.... And the cramping along with the spotting.

Clam: I didn't have the cream, I had the suppositories with are like tablets you stick right up your hoo-ha. Very pleasant eh.... It's a bit annoying bc when my hormones were tested it happened to be a time when acupuncture appeared to be working and my cycle was much more normal. My progesterone came back ok at the time. Plus we have a very clear male factor problem so it's like that's always the focus.

As for your question about temps - my chart usually looks like a mountain with the peak being at 7 or 8dpo and then it gradually drops and the spotting goes alongside that.

 

[Blythe]

Hi Pink

yes the stop/start period is weird. I stop around day 4 and hardly spot then start bleeding again. I have too wondered if my lack of blood indicates an issue re implantation perhaps.

Anyhow, that aside, i was intrigued by your comment re acu....do you still have it and herbs? if so, do you continue to show improvements re your cycles etc?

 

[PinkPeony]

It definitely had a big effect on my cycles. I did just acu, no herbs. My acupuncturist also suggested eating more protein and good fats to help with lining/spotting. I eventually stopped going bc I started having issues with the way he was interacting with me... Long story... But it basically made me feel lousy to go after a while. That was purely bc of him though, the treatments are super relaxing and I miss that part. I'm currently looking around for another acu, one that's good with the lady problems that's not super expensive.

 

[Blythe]

It definitely had a big effect on my cycles. I did just acu, no herbs. My acupuncturist also suggested eating more protein and good fats to help with lining/spotting. I eventually stopped going bc I started having issues with the way he was interacting with me... Long story... But it basically made me feel lousy to go after a while. That was purely bc of him though, the treatments are super relaxing and I miss that part. I'm currently looking around for another acu, one that's good with the lady problems that's not super expensive.

Pink - i remember now....he kept saying he had a good feeling about this or that cycle. I commented at the time.....very unprofessional of him and not really what us ladies need eh. Good luck with the next one....

 

[PinkPeony]

It definitely had a big effect on my cycles. I did just acu, no herbs. My acupuncturist also suggested eating more protein and good fats to help with lining/spotting. I eventually stopped going bc I started having issues with the way he was interacting with me... Long story... But it basically made me feel lousy to go after a while. That was purely bc of him though, the treatments are super relaxing and I miss that part. I'm currently looking around for another acu, one that's good with the lady problems that's not super expensive.

Pink - i remember now....he kept saying he had a good feeling about this or that cycle. I commented at the time.....very unprofessional of him and not really what us ladies need eh. Good luck with the next one....

Yes that's right! Last time I went there and I had just started the TWW of a fully natural cycle (so all but impossible for us to conceive), and he goes "So, are you excited?" This is after he told me he thinks THIS was going to be the cycle (third cycle he said that to me). Like are you kidding me??? I was so not excited and so totally depressed I was like F this. It messed with my head and made me feel so shitty when I had to keep going back to his cheerful face and tell him - no AF came again. So I need someone with a bit of sensitivity around infertility and just enough sense to keep things neutral and professional.... that won't charge me an arm and a leg...

 

[Butterfly67]

hi I just wanted to chime in. I seem to be having more spotting in the last 6 months or so, sometimes starting from 7dpo. I wondered a few things - first is it progesterone deficiency, but last month I was on 400mg cyclogest and it was still there. Another thought is borderline hypothyroidism might be causing it as my tsh is 4.0 so I have ordered a thyroid supplement which should turn up shortly. Thirdly I am thinking peri menopause due to my age. My spotting is more pink/red and last month for the first time I had to use a liner but then peri is supposed to start with uneven cycles and mine are pretty regular s who knows

 

[Sis4Us]

Wondering the same thing Ladies .... Just got my CD3 test back my Prog. Less than.5???
My cycles have dropped to 24 days w maybe one day of flow spotting day before and On and Off days after!!!! my cycle is brown blk and dark red

I've been taking Vitex and today CD10 I usually get a +OPK But got a BFN today???

Lost and confused.... Dr said my # look Ok but my cycle isn't right and even after I told her she just insisted my num. are Good!!!

 

[Blythe]

Vitex did not work for me....delayed ovulation and gave me horrid headaches.....I bet you get your +opk a couple of days layer than usual

 

[Sis4Us]

Vitex did not work for me....delayed ovulation and gave me horrid headaches.....I bet you get your +opk a couple of days layer than usual

That's what I was thinking now that I finally got use to Oing early it would be later!!!

I have had some headaches thought it was all the pollen around here... Hmmm

 

[rocko]

Hi everyone, this is really interesting! I have black spotting 2 days before my period with creamy foundation colored CM a couple days prior to that (3-4 days before AF). It is stringy sometimes and after a day or two stays brown but requires a tampon. My dark red flow can take up to 4 days after the black/brown spotting flow.

I had my thyroid checked and it was fine, pituitary test came back just above normal range. Day 3 labs were normal. Mid LP tests showed my progesterone is irregular, and I have an appointment tomorrow to see how irregular and what we'll do about it.

Other symptoms which I think point to progesterone deficiency? I have a low sex drive, dryness during sex, 8-10 day LP, horrible cramps during AF(?).

I had tried using Vitex, Maca Root, and Vit B12 but stopped the month before testing to try and get back to my normal hormone levels.

 

[darcie]

So I can really relate to this. I've ovulated late normally around day 21 and then would start spotting 6 days later! I had numerous positive test but all ended ver soon (3 chemical pregnancies) I do believe spotting meant I could not keep a pregnancy as its an indication of low progesterone. When I saw a fertility specialist he said he would try me on clomid and it made me ovulate at day 14 which was great and no spotting. I got pregnant on my 4th cycle and have a 5 month old boy. I did bleed at 6 weeks but I managed to keep him. I know how hard this journey is and I wish you the best of luck x