Spotting 2 days before AF... Norma??

[mk8]

Hello ladies,

I was wondering whether any of you lovely ladies would be able to help with my question.

DH and I have been TTC for 15 months now. I have never been pregnant and DH doesn't have any kids (yet!).

- DH has had an SA and it came back normal (35m/ml count, 51% motility, 6ml volume, 7% morphology).
- I have had day 21 progesterone: result 26nmol/l. Should be >30nmol/l but doc said I prob took it on the wrong day. It was 5dpo and 7 days before AF showed.
- Had bloods and everything looked ok though testosterone on high side and my free androgen index was too high.
- Had an internal scan and everything looked OK: normal shaped uterus, ovaries etc. No cysts.
- Now waiting to see a fertility specialist.

After all that rambling, my question is whether any of you have had probs with pre-menstrual spotting. Since TTC, I spot 1-2 days before AF. Starts with brown tinged CM then turns dark brown/black until AF properly appears. Spotting usually starts 11dpo. The doc said it was probably "just hormones". He did the scan last May and there were no signs of fibroids etc and he did bloods to check for infections and everything was OK so he dismissed it. I am wondering whether this is what is stopping me from gettin my BFP. I am currently on clomid and it isnt really doing much. My cycle lengths are the same ish and my Lp remains unchanged at 11-12 days (spotting on days 11 and 12). I started acupuncture this cycle to see whether it could impact my hormone levels and to relax me.

Any help gratefully received.

 

[Sizzles]

I wouldn't go as far as to say 'normal'. My 'hairy mary' style fertility books (by which I mean 'alternative'!) say that this is certainly not the case. However, my GP/s have never seen that concerned. I wish my spotting only lasted for 2 days pre-af; sadly I tend to have anywhere between 5 and 11 days of spotting, which really is rubbish! I'm 7dpo today and spotting has started, so I'm already thinking I'm out this month. Nothing like being forewarned.

I'm seeing FS on Thursday for the first time though, so I'm sure it'll be discussed then. I'll try to remember to follow-up this post with what they say. Stuff I've read say it can be to do with progesterone levels, but since my day 21 tests came back fine I'm guessing it's not that. Also, one GP said it can be an indicator of an infection, but I had swabs which also came back fine.

With a bit of luck, just a couple of days of spotting may just be the way you are and nothing to worry about.

 

[mk8]

Hi sizzles, thanks. What was your day 21 prog level result?

 

[RDH]

Hi mk8!
I also have spotting before AF which ranges anywhwere from 2-5 days before AF starts. We have been TTC for 11 months and my regular gynecologist said it was nothing to worry about. I just started seeing a fertility specialist about 2 weeks ago and I am currently undergoing all kinds of tests for fertility problems.
Anyway, The FS found a polyp in my uterus that my regular gyn didn't see. He says that it is probably the cause for my irregular spotting. So, I will be having the polyp removed next month. I'm not sure what could be causing your spotting but that's what mine was, hope it helps Good luck!

 

[mk8]

Hi RDH- Thanks for your response. Hope that the removal of the polyp will bring you your BFP!

Did your gynae and your fertility specialists do the same tests on you? I am surprised that the gynae missed it. Makes me wonder whether they have missed something for me. My GP instructed a transvaginal scan to be done on me and my understanding is that a transvaginal ultrasound is enough to detect any polyps. I would be interested to know if your fertility specialist did more tests on you.

Good luck again for this cycle.

 

[RDH]

The fertility specialist did a transvaginal Ultrasound which is how he found the polyp. My gynecologist did not do one so that's how she missed it. I felt like she should have done one though with my history of premenstrual spotting.

I am scheduled for an HSG test next cycle, which I'm sure you know is the test where dye is injected into your uterus. The FS said that some polyps could possibly show up on the HSG test that are not seen with an ultrasound . I'm hoping there's only the one but I guess we'll see. They'll also be able to check that both fallopian tubes are open as well.

Good luck! I hope you get your BFP soon too!!

 

[Sizzles]

Hi sizzles, thanks. What was your day 21 prog level result?

I don't know I'm afraid; I was simply told it was 'normal'. I've requested all my bloods etc. though for my FS appointment on Thursday, so if I'm able to, I will take copies. They come in sealed envelopes though - I'm not sure if I'm 'allowed' to open them am I?

 

[mk8]

Hey RDH- Hopefully the HSG shows that everything is fine- no more polyps and tubes open and welcoming! You're "only" on month 11 so you have every possibility of conceiving au naturale. Wishing you all the best. Keep us posted on your HSG etc.

Sizzles- As mentioned in the other thread- open up the results Your body, your results, you have every right to review them. Hope that everything turns out OK for you.