Weird things happening with cycle. TTC#1 @ 38

[Bird watcher]

Hi, I'm new to posting here but I have been reading without registering for a while. This post might be a bit jumbled or TMI so be warned.
The OH and I have been TTC for a while now without luck, and during this time I have been using a couple of fertility tracker apps, both of which would accurately predict my periods to within a day.
I find BDing painful so we usually only try once each month, not ideal I know.
We last tried early June, on the forecasted ovulation day. Since then I have had bleeding when my period was due, but it didn't seem like a proper period either time. The first one was pretty much completely without any tissue loss and not as heavy as usual, the second one was so light I could have worn the same pad all day (I didn't obviously)!
So now I should be around ovulation time again, but since last night I have been having red spotting instead. I have never had ovulation bleeding so I find it hard to understand.
In the last two hours I've taken both an O test and a PG test, both negative. I did notice that the sample I used for the O test had a small piece of stretchy red tissue in (sorry). If the spotting continues I will make a doctors appointment but I'm really just after opinions at the moment as I'm driving myself a bit crazy.

 

[sugargully]

I'm sorry this is happening to you this cycle. I've not experienced it but I can understand your questions. Have you had any blood work or hormone tests? That might be the place to start.

 

[Bird watcher]

Thanks for replying, no I haven't been to the docs yet but I might try and make an appointment for next week. The spotting has turned to bleeding now and I had bad cramps a couple of nights ago. I'm thinking either early MC or my body is making up for the two previous light periods by having another one (joy!)
I'm not sure where this leaves me with tracking ovulation though

 

[Vonn]

Sorry that you are having such troubles. It could just be things got wonky for no good reason, but it could be something else, hormonal craziness, for example. I, too, think it's a good idea to talk with a dr, just to get things checked out. If the heavy bleed is a mc, then both a pg and ov test would be positive cuz there'd be so much hcg in your system. I had spotting issues and read a lot about when to start count for new cycle. CD 1 should be first day of heavy flow, so start over counting and see what happens this cycle.

I am curious ab your comment regarding pain during BD. I'm sorry you have this issue. Do you know what causes it? I have it too, along with zero sex drive (they just have to be related), and it is a big issue for us. I feel like a terrible wife. I think mine is mainly due to serious dryness down there, but I'm not sure that's it. Drs found no other reason, though. So then it makes me think it's psychosomatic, that my lack of sex drive has created anxiety about sex that has created pain or made it worse. Not fun to deal with. I've never seen anyone post ab this, so I am curious ab your circumstances, if u r willing to share.

 

[Bird watcher]

I am curious ab your comment regarding pain during BD. I'm sorry you have this issue. Do you know what causes it? I have it too, along with zero sex drive (they just have to be related), and it is a big issue for us. I feel like a terrible wife. I think mine is mainly due to serious dryness down there, but I'm not sure that's it. Drs found no other reason, though. So then it makes me think it's psychosomatic, that my lack of sex drive has created anxiety about sex that has created pain or made it worse. Not fun to deal with. I've never seen anyone post ab this, so I am curious ab your circumstances, if u r willing to share.

I am fairly certain mine is a mental issue rather than something physical. The muscles are just so tight it feels like burning when we try. It is better if I can control things, but it's still painful in the beginning. The only time it doesn't hurt is when I've had a bit to drink, which just confirms it's a mental issue to me. Re the sex drive issue, I wasn't aware of it at the time, but I think being on Depo Provera killed it. I was like a zombie on that and it's never picked up since I've been off it.