Spotting week before AF every month - anyone else?

[Soili]

I have this too. Only started after we started NTNP. Never had it before. I can't believe there's not enough information about this online. I googled it in every way possible. I don't think it's progesterone in my case, because my LP is 13-14 (not sure exactly how long yet, only temping this month, but since I get positive OPK it always takes 15 days for the AF to show up). I'm also taking Pregnacare - no difference. Starting Agnus Castus this month too, although I'm pretty close to O, so I don't know if a few days taking it would make any difference.

 

[MrsPTTC]

Well, my AF turned out not to be AF and bl**dy spotting again! I was positive it was going to turn into AF as the spotting had turned red last night, now back to brown again. Am praying it could be implantation bleeding but deep down I know the real is round the corner. I got upset last night over nothing! I don't mind a BFP this month, but just really wish the spotting would go away. I'm thinking vit B6 now but I'm already taking so much I feel ridiculous! Stupid thing is the spotting was never this long before TTC! Thanks ladies x

 

[MrsPTTC]

I meant I don't mind a lol, I'd LOVE a !!!

 

[MrsPTTC]

My spotting is really concerning me as I think I may have low progesterone so I take a seperate B vit complex as well as a good multi-vit. I took B vit complex on its own last month and I reduced my spotting by a day. So I'm taking a multi-vit with lots of B-vits and hope that it does the trick.
I've also reduced my sugar intake (I've got a big sweet tooth) and upped my exercise as I've heard that can cause low progesterone.
Miss PTTC- They do say that it takes a while for AC to take effect so FX next month you get a much longer LP. Do you take it in tablet or liquid form? I have heard the the liquid form gives you faster results.
xxx

I'm taking the tablets hun, I couldn't stomach the liquid I am a right wimp lol. Well the AC took effect on ovulation straight away, just not the spotting, but I think B6 is more for that than the AC, though they're supposed to do similar jobs... xxx

 

[star31]

Hi everyone

Just to update you. Had my first appt at hosp with the fertility doctor yesterday and it went well. He did a smear and is sending me off to get a couple of scans. I asked him about the spotting and he said that it didn't affect fertility at all, few!! I'm still going to keep taking the AC and vit B complex though as he says that's fine. It doesn't seem to have reduced the spotting entirely but it's defo A LOT lighter, so i figure that must be a good thing!!

 

[cantwaitforu]

Hi everyone

Just to update you. Had my first appt at hosp with the fertility doctor yesterday and it went well. He did a smear and is sending me off to get a couple of scans. I asked him about the spotting and he said that it didn't affect fertility at all, few!! I'm still going to keep taking the AC and vit B complex though as he says that's fine. It doesn't seem to have reduced the spotting entirely but it's defo A LOT lighter, so i figure that must be a good thing!!

Hi star31,

What did he say about the spotting? I have this too, and am going to my doctor on Monday, and getting an internal ultrasound done, and my doc said he will then send me to a specialist. when I told him about the spotting a few weeks ago, he said it wasn't right that my body was doing this. UGH. I just wish they would get their facts straight!!!

How early do you start spotting? And sorry if this is TMI, but do you start off with brown stringy stuff? I do.

 

[Rainbow32]

i have this problem and am also TTC for baby number 2 for over a year.

i recently had a lapand dye where they found scar adhesions from the c section and some mild endo from the scar too - but they removed it all and cycle after lap the spotting was still there.

i went back to my consultant and she prescribed me progesterone pessaries for a LPD and this is my first cycle on them - i am 11dpo and no spotting in sight - this is unheard of for me - i usually spot from about 5 /6 dpo.

i had a day 21 test and it showed normal but when i charted my temps were up and donw (not below cover line) so i dont knw if that was indicative of low progesterone but its pretty strange that the first month on this progesterone and so far no spotting.

i did all of this on private medical insurance because my GP is not remotely interested and actually told me i was totally fine and to basically go away - i had an ultrasound the the adhesions and endo did not show on the ultrasound so as far as she was concerned it was end of - its only because the spotting was so upsetting every month and i knew something was wrong that i went back to the consultant and straight off she said lap and dye and now progesterone.

PS i tried agnus castus and B6 and they did not help me.

pps - this month i did take soy so i dont know if its the soy that helped or the progesterone or both but the soy did make me ov 2 days earlier, i do think its the progesterone thats helped me re the spotting though.

 

[Hopemac]

Hi, I have this problem too. Started about a year ago. It started with only a day maybe two and has gotten a little longer over the year. Some months are close to a week!! I was terrified it was going to affect our chances of having a baby when my hubby and I decided to start a family. We just finished our first month TTC and I got a BFP! I hope you get yours soon. From what I have learned with Doctors is that if they arent worried, you shouldn't be too worried either.

 

[tryingntrying]

I have been TTC for 9 months. I, too, have this dreaded spotting. Sometimes I start spotting a week before AF, sometimes 3 days, or sometimes I don't spot at all. I spot more often than not, though. I hope this isn't negatively affecting my fertility. Does anyone know what the cause is and how to handle it?

 

[cantwaitforu]

Rainbow32 you are amazing! I've been hoping to hear from someone who was successful in getting rid of their spotting. I'm going to print your post and smush it in my doctor's face on Monday! I want that damn progesterone and to never ever spot again (unless is it is IB). thank you for the information!

 

[TTCbaby2011]

Hi ladies, I'm in the same boat! I did'nt think there was anyone out there that was having the same problems. I posted everywhere it seems to see if anyone else had the same problem and I never got no answers. I have been spotting for over a year. It also happens 7-10 days before Af shows up every month. I been to my OB doc he checked out my progesterone level, throyid, and checked for polyps, but all came back normal. In Oct. of last year I had a D&C to see if that would help, but it did'nt. He said it will not interfere with me TTC and I to god it does'nt. I guess I'll have to wait a see. Well at least I don't feel alone anymore!

 

[MrsPTTC]

Hi everyone

Just to update you. Had my first appt at hosp with the fertility doctor yesterday and it went well. He did a smear and is sending me off to get a couple of scans. I asked him about the spotting and he said that it didn't affect fertility at all, few!! I'm still going to keep taking the AC and vit B complex though as he says that's fine. It doesn't seem to have reduced the spotting entirely but it's defo A LOT lighter, so i figure that must be a good thing!!

I think it depends on what's the cause of the spotting, and also how many DPO the spotting starts as to whether it affects fertility. If the spotting doesnt start until 12DPO I would imagine you'll be fine as implantation wouldve already happened (if it was your lucky month that is) but if it's less and implantation can take 6-12 days then it could be a problem. Have heard it's due to low progesterone levels which the AC and vit B is supposed to help. How long have you been taking them for? x

 

[MrsPTTC]

Hi ladies, I'm in the same boat! I did'nt think there was anyone out there that was having the same problems. I posted everywhere it seems to see if anyone else had the same problem and I never got no answers. I have been spotting for over a year. It also happens 7-10 days before Af shows up every month. I been to my OB doc he checked out my progesterone level, throyid, and checked for polyps, but all came back normal. In Oct. of last year I had a D&C to see if that would help, but it did'nt. He said it will not interfere with me TTC and I to god it does'nt. I guess I'll have to wait a see. Well at least I don't feel alone anymore!

That's good they've checked you out and it's nothing to worry about. Good luck! x

 

[MrsPTTC]

I have been TTC for 9 months. I, too, have this dreaded spotting. Sometimes I start spotting a week before AF, sometimes 3 days, or sometimes I don't spot at all. I spot more often than not, though. I hope this isn't negatively affecting my fertility. Does anyone know what the cause is and how to handle it?

Hi hun, it's supposed to be low progesterone levels and AC and vit B6 is supposed to help. Here's a link to what I found https://www.beyondfertility.com/art238.htm and this for treatments https://www.babyhopes.com/articles/progesterone.html. Spotting for 3 days this month, but have had as long as 7. Going to get myself on the B6 I think. I'll be rattling with pills! xx

 

[Soili]

MrsPTTC, I'm taking Agnus Castus, Pregncare and Salmon Oil (Omega 3) in capsules and I already feel like I'm medicating myself through the roof! I'm really not a drug or vitamin person, never take anything unless absolutely has to be. Which B6 supplement you're thinking of getting? I think I'd be willing to add that next cycle as well, if I don't get a positive this time around. What the hell, right? Just a few more pills to swallow
I heard it's best to take a whole range of B vitamins, not just B6. I was thinking this one - https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=107&prodid=395 But I wonder if I should perhaps stop Pregnacare then, because B-100 already has Folic acid. What is your plan?

 

[MrsPTTC]

Hi! I know I've heard about the complex, I was just viewing the H&B website a minute ago, spooky! I've looked at the complete B and it only has 10mg in it so would be 20mg, the mega B100 one has 100mg in, or you can take the B6 on it's own which is 50mg once or twice a day. The pregnacare also has 10mg of B6 in it already and it can damage the nervous system if you take too much! Oh I really don't know what to do! I was only on month 2 of the AC and it made a huge difference to ovulation, just not the spotting, but it can take 3 months or longer to get into your system properly. I'm wondering whether I should just see what happens this new cycle. Also I've heard you can actually take the AC all through the cycle just most ladies don't want to take any risks and stop at ovulation (as it says not to take when pregnant.) So should I take it all through the cycle to give it a better chance? Maybe stop a few days before AF is due in case implantation has occurred? Confused.com! I need to get more pregnacare and getting wellman for OH (could be his after all!) so I'll maybe have a chat with someone in H&B. Let me know what you do x x

 

[Rainbow32]

Rainbow32 you are amazing! I've been hoping to hear from someone who was successful in getting rid of their spotting. I'm going to print your post and smush it in my doctor's face on Monday! I want that damn progesterone and to never ever spot again (unless is it is IB). thank you for the information!

ha ha no worries i searched so much myself for a way to get rid of it, its been so horrible having it month after month so i know how you feel, its worse because of course each month you think its IB, its torture - im not out of the woods yet - im 12dpo though and no spotting so as far as im concerned AF can now come and i will be happy (well obviouslyi would rather have a BFP but no spotting is a starting point!!)

the consultant said my progesterone must have been rising and falling erratically during that luteal phase causing the lining to come away- it must be right because honestly there is no spotting and this is the first time it has ever happened, so it must be the progesterone

i will report back on how it goes in the next few days!

 

[MrsPTTC]

I found this about the folic acid hun https://www.babycenter.com/404_how-much-folic-acid-should-i-take-while-trying-to-get-pregna_2232.bc doesn't sound harmful if you overdose and they recommend 800 in early pregnancy anyway x

 

[happyshopper]

Rainbow32 you are amazing! I've been hoping to hear from someone who was successful in getting rid of their spotting. I'm going to print your post and smush it in my doctor's face on Monday! I want that damn progesterone and to never ever spot again (unless is it is IB). thank you for the information!

ha ha no worries i searched so much myself for a way to get rid of it, its been so horrible having it month after month so i know how you feel, its worse because of course each month you think its IB, its torture - im not out of the woods yet - im 12dpo though and no spotting so as far as im concerned AF can now come and i will be happy (well obviouslyi would rather have a BFP but no spotting is a starting point!!)

the consultant said my progesterone must have been rising and falling erratically during that luteal phase causing the lining to come away- it must be right because honestly there is no spotting and this is the first time it has ever happened, so it must be the progesterone

i will report back on how it goes in the next few days!

Hi Rainbow32,
Do you think it was the soy that helped the spotting? I get spotting at 6DPO and Im sure that its having a detrimental effect on my fertility xxx

 

[Rainbow32]

Happyshoppper i could not say for sure - although i think its the progesterone pessaries to be honest though. i think the soy helped because i did OV two days earlier so in theory maybe spotting would not have started till two days later than usual, but by now i would have had spotting as i was having it from 5dpo sometimes.

i dont think the soy can do any harm so why not give it a try? i took 120mg days 5 to 9. (i only did days 5 to 9 because i only bought it on day 5!)

otherwise why not ask your GP about progesterone? my GP would not help me and just ignore me but yours could be better?