For those who spot regularly

[Ltruns33]

Ok! If you're anything like me, a chronic spotter who almost always spots shortly after ovulation up until AF- you always have probably felt like spotting was related to my infertility or pointing at being a symptom for LUteal phase defect. First of all; I have brought my concerns to the attention of my dr and been dismissed, but then to his nurse practitioner (who I see for annuals) and been listened to. Let me try and explain what she told me. My concern was chronic spotting after ovulation leading up to AF; spotting would last more than four days and that's why I know it's never IB. Her answer was: estrogen is stored in body fat. One of estrogens purposes is to keep the endometrium lining from bleeding. For everyone in the third week of their cycle, there's a big estrogen drop. Since I'm a thin/low body fat person, after ovulation I spot bc my estrogen levels drop more since I don't have a ton of body fat. Two things though- she said my body fat levels were in NO way affecting my fertility (when we started ttc last year I actually tried to gain a little weight to help with fertility just in case) my bmi and body fat percentages are both within normal range. All my bloodwork has been done, ovulation has been confirmed and ever test on my blood/hormone levels including estrogen has come back 100% normal. So, all that to say, my spotting has no affect on my fertility. That was nice for peace of mind.

What frustrating is that we still aren't pregnant and husband is pretty normal too. Slightly low side of normal sperm count- but that's for another thread.

 

[xxshellsxx]

Her answer was: estrogen is stored in body fat. One of estrogens purposes is to keep the endometrium lining from bleeding. For everyone in the third week of their cycle, there's a big estrogen drop. Since I'm a thin/low body fat person, after ovulation I spot bc my estrogen levels drop more since I don't have a ton of body fat.

sorry, but as someone who was classed as 'clinically obese' 6 months ago with enough body fat for 2 people lol - with perfect hormone levels i am also a chronic spotter - so i don't see how that can be true even after my weight loss i still spot and the only thing i have taken that has stopped it was Soy Isoflavones - an estogen booster for menopausal women used for TTC like clomid (taken because my FS won't give me clomid because i O on my own).

I seriously believe having conducted my own 'experiment' if you like, it is down to how strong ovulation is and how much estrogen and progesterone the corpus luteum (remains of the follicle) produces after O x

 

[Ltruns33]

Her answer was: estrogen is stored in body fat. One of estrogens purposes is to keep the endometrium lining from bleeding. For everyone in the third week of their cycle, there's a big estrogen drop. Since I'm a thin/low body fat person, after ovulation I spot bc my estrogen levels drop more since I don't have a ton of body fat.

sorry, but as someone who was classed as 'clinically obese' 6 months ago with enough body fat for 2 people lol - with perfect hormone levels i am also a chronic spotter - so i don't see how that can be true even after my weight loss i still spot and the only thing i have taken that has stopped it was Soy Isoflavones - an estogen booster for menopausal women used for TTC like clomid (taken because my FS won't give me clomid because i O on my own).

I seriously believe having conducted my own 'experiment' if you like, it is down to how strong ovulation is and how much estrogen and progesterone the corpus luteum (remains of the follicle) produces after O x

I actually ovulate strongly as well. I was only offering one answer that I got that helped me realize that spotting wasn't the source of my fertility issues. Being overweight, or obese I'm sure still throws your body and hormones out of wack bc of the excessive storage of fats in and around your midsection where your organs are. Body fat and estrogen do go very closely hand and hand- that's why women have more "stubborn" fat in their hips, but and lower abdomen. No one person can say "this is why women spot", and I was certainly not trying to I was just happy to know you CAN spot regularly and still be in fine shape otherwise. Spotting had been a huge concern of mine and I was "sure" that was why I was having issues. But it isn't, and I just wanted other women who may be feeling that way to know that after talking to my doctor (like we all should, and do!) that I was able to be relieved of that one stressor. Spotting doesn't necessarily signal a problem- but it can. In my case, the assurance of having had everything tested, looked at, examined and find that I am perfectly healthy and by my doctors classified as "fertile", it was nice to know.

 

[xxshellsxx]

Being overweight doesn't always effect fertility/hormone balance either. My FS was shocked by how great my tests results are even at my heaviest. They were expecting bad results that would get better with weightloss...they were at a loss as to why i hadn't conceived lol Turns out Both my tubes were blocked - one is now clear thanks to HSG - nothing to do with my weight at all.

Spotting is one of life's mysteries, so i guess it's a different cause for everyone x

 

[PinkPeony]

That's intersting. I spot all the time too. I did have an acu/naturopath tell me to eat more fat and I have gained some weight since but still spotting. I've been brushed off by numerous doctors too and only recently I switched to a new clinic to start ivf process and my new doc said it could point to an egg quality problem. So I guess the follicles don't produce enough hormones bc they're on the weak side. When I'm supplimenting w progesterone I have no spotting at all. Acupuncture helped too but didn't stop it completely. It definitely is a mystery though.