Opinions, Advice, Support Needed

[luckynumber4]

Hello everyone!! I'm new here. I'm 36 years old, and TTC #4. I've never TTC before - all of my previous three were very wonderful surprises. My husband and I have decided to try and have one more before the grandparent years kick in. I apologize for this being so long, but wanted to make sure I covered everything that's been going on...

Anywho, been TTC for 3 months. Had a copper IUD for 10 years, and had it removed in February. Since then, had two normal periods, both on time. I have 25 day cycles, where I have brown spotting on day 24 then start regular AF on 25, like clockwork every month - before AND after the IUD - for YEARS. They ALWAYS last 5 days, light flow on day 1 & 2, heavy flow on day 3, medium on 4, and then light/spotting on 5. Between Ov and AF, I usually have some breast tenderness, and get some mild cramps right before AF is about to start. Been that way for as long as I can remember.

This month, however, things changed. My LMP started April 4th, had the brown spotting on the 3rd. Lasted the five days, and I ovulated around April 14th-16th (by EWCM - don't basal or chart) - I had EWCM on the 13th and 14th. Hubby and I BD'd on 10th, 14th, and 17th. After that, I didn't get any breast tenderness and no cramps. I was due to start AF on April 28th, but it didn't come. Several days before AF was due, I got a LOT of watery CM (which I never get). I kept thinking AF was starting, but it was just water. I got super excited on the 28th, took a HPT during the middle of the day, BFN. No AF on 29th, still lots of watery CM, had FRER ready for morning of 30th (2 days late). I was also constipated, which NEVER happens, and I was having some discomfort from it, so I took 2 stool softeners that evening.

Woke up the next morning (30th), and had some light, brown spotting with the faintest hint of red. Was going to take the FRER, but after peeing on it, it never did anything so the test was invalid. All day, I had brown spotting (very light on TP, watery consistency). Then, on 30th, had a little red mixed in with the brown but only when I wiped. Figured AF was here, and thought nothing of it. Well, I bled for 2 days - not heavy, only needed one pad per day. Did have a few tiny tissue looking clots both days, blood was bright red. But, now I'm done. AF is gone after only 2 days. No spotting, brown, nothing.

One more thing, I am a cervix checker. I know my cervix was low, firm, and closed around the 22nd, but then went back up around the 24th and hasn't come back down since. When I was getting all the watery CM, it was very high. Checked it today, and it's STILL super high, and it's very wet and slippery in there (sorry TMI). The CM is clear, not EW, but slippery - hope that makes sense.

Anyone have any input on what could have caused this drastic change all of a sudden? Not just one minor change, but SEVERAL changes? Any kind of input would be greatly appreciated, because I'm not sure what the heck is going on.

 

[Dill]

The copper IUD can make your periods heavier, so it wouldn't surprise me in the least if your cycles are re-regulating now that it's out, and they're naturally lighter without it in.

Also, it's been 10 years since you've had an IUD-free cycle. A lot happens in a decade, especially when your 30s are involved. It's perfectly normal to experience changes in your cycle at this age even under normal circumstances. (My cycle is way different now than it was in my 20s!) You may have even had an anovulatory cycle, which can lengthen and lighten your cycle since no egg was released.

If you are super concerned or have any alarming symptoms, go see your doctor and get checked out. A blood test can confirm if there may be a pregnancy, which is a potential concern here! Some women take weeks to show positive on a home test, and spotting or even light period-like bleeding can and does happen during early pregnancy sometimes. If you are in the US, you can even order your own blood test online for under $60 -- you just take the printout they provide to an approved laboratory nearby, they'll draw the blood and send it in, and you can have results in as little as 24 hours.

If it were me, I'd probably take another HPT and if it came back negative, I'd chalk it up as normal hormonal fluctuations or an "off" cycle and not worry about it again unless my cycles became erratic or irregular, or more concerning symptoms appeared. But then, I try to avoid doctors as much as possible, so take that with a hefty grain of salt.

 

[luckynumber4]

Thank you for responding. I really don't think I'm pregnant. I'm more concerned about starting to get too old. I was worried about not ovulating. Hubby and I are both concerned about possibly having difficulties to conceive, but we have already decided that if we don't get pregnant naturally, then it's just not meant to be. It would be comforting to know that others have gone through something similar, and still gone on to have BFPs - eventually.

Just having people respond helps, too, so thanks, Dill.

 

[Dill]

I wouldn't worry about being too old just yet! Even someone in their prime can have the occasional anovulatory cycle. While the 35+ forum here is pretty quiet, there really are a lot of us mid-30s (and older) gals floating around everywhere else.

But definitely don't stress one odd cycle!