Confusion over what's happening in my body right now

[Penguinw21]

So we are continuing to try naturally whilst we are awaiting IVF and this month I was due my period on Friday just gone.

I wiped and had fresh red blood on Friday evening so thought that my period was dead on time. However since then, the last 4 days I've had nothing but spotting, and no blood on my knickers at all. I have had fresh blood on the tissue when wiping, and then it turns more brown and then goes away completely and I've had to use no protection as all since Friday. So confused where my period is as its not normally that long but its heavy enough to go through pants and jeans for 2 days normally.

I wanted to rule out pregnancy as had heard of implantation bleeding but BFN this morning. So now just looking for anyone's insight or advice.

My husband has suggested I phone the DR tomorrow (we're in the UK) but I'm not sure if they are going to be able to help me in anyway 🤷‍♀️

[blue_anemone]

Hiya!! Could it be that you did not ovulate this cycle, so it’s a false period? I’ve had anovulatory cycles with a normal “period” that came on time, and the only reason I knew I hadn’t ovulated was because I had had an ultrasound, otherwise I wouldn’t have known anything was wrong. But most cases anovulatory bleeds are lighter and shorter than a normal period. Did you have any stresses or illness or anything like that? Definitely worth having it checked by a medical professional, though!

[Penguinw21 in reply to blue_anemone]

So because I'm tracking my cycle with Mira I had an LH spike and then it looks like I ovulate on CD17 so think I did ovulate 🤞🤞

Hopefully AF turns up soon!!

[blue_anemone in reply to Penguinw21]

oh ok!! So, what CD are you on now? Because with ovulation on cd17 your period could be due any time from cd 28 to cd 34. It could just be spotting before your period. We’re you given any drugs/hormones for your IVF?

[blue_anemone in reply to blue_anemone]

Also, an LH spike is not a great ovulation indicator, as it only shows that you body is preparing to ovulate…whether it happens or not is only possible to know with an ultrasound. Watching you temperature and cervical mucus is more accurate, but you could get LUF where the follicle does not rupture, but all the hormonal changes happen, so you get the temp increase and drying up of cervical mucus 🤷🏻‍♀️😩 Women with PCOS can get multiple LH surges in a cycle as the body keeps trying to ovulate. 🫠

[Penguinw21 in reply to blue_anemone]

So I'm not on any medication yet as haven't started IVF yet (will likely do in May or June). So today is CD32. I normally have a 28 day cycle so that's what's confused me. Yeah thats so true it could be spotting before period. Why would it be normal for my period to be up to CD34? Sorry I'm not too sure on all of this yet! Used to my 28 days cycle and its all changed!

So using Mira I was tracking my e3g (estrogen) and that rose after LH spike so that told me I had ovulated but could be still not right I guess. How would I get diagnosed with PCOS? I have had internal ultrasound 6 weeks ago and got another one in 6 days x

[blue_anemone in reply to Penguinw21]

PCOS is diagnosed with an ultrasound and blood tests, you probably would have been told if they suspected it, though.. I just had an ultrasound the other day and was told my ovaries looked “mildly polycystic” whatever that means 🙄 and wrote me some hormonal tests to do to get a full diagnosis 🤷🏻‍♀️

I highly recommend Toni Weschler’s book Taking charge of your fertility!! It kept blowing my mind page after page!! So, basically, you luteal phase (after ovulation) can only ever last between 11 and 17 days. That’s it!! Any delay in getting your period is because ovulation was delayed, not that the luteal phase has been longer, because it simply just cannot be longer! That’s why any stressors that happen in the follicular phase can delay your period (for example getting a cold), but if they happen in the luteal phase they will not have any impact. So, if you ovulated on cycle day 17, that means that you could go up to day 34 and it would be within the expected timeframe. I only learned about these things last year, and I’ve been getting a period for the last 20 years 😅

If you’re into podcasts, Fertility Friday is a great resource into Fertility Awareness, and very useful when TTC!

[NemoFish]

From my experience it’s probably Sod’s Law!! You’ve never wanted your period as badly as you do when it’s the one you start IVF with! I’m currently cd39 waiting to start my 4th round of stims, and I’ve got no idea when AF will show, it’s very frustrating! Hang in there it will turn up eventually! X

[Penguinw21 in reply to NemoFish]

Oh CD39 and no AF is so frustrating for you I'm sorry to hear that 😞🫣

This morning it felt like the blood when wiping was more so hopefully its going to be a proper period soon🤞.

I'm worried when it comes to our IVF journey that if I'm "spotting" I don't know if that's when to start the stims or not?! Why do our bodies mess us around like this 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[Hoping20 in reply to Penguinw21]

hi there…usually clinic will say first day of full flow is CD1. Try not to stress about it (easier said than done I know) and i wish you well for your IVF cycle. Take care

[Penguinw21 in reply to Hoping20]

Thanks so much. So full flow....would that be when it's coming onto pad would you say? Sorry for in detailed question!!

Thanks for your well wishes too that's so kind and I wish you all the best too

[Hoping20 in reply to Penguinw21]

Yes, full flow ie when you need to use a pad. All the best once again and be kind to yourself during this journey x

[jengi]

I’ve been told Covid can impact on our cycles & periods from my clinic. Have you had Covid or been ill?

[Penguinw21 in reply to jengi]

So I wondered this. Had covid back in August 2021 and had 3 covid vaccines in total. Can't see why it effects cycle now when things have been very "normal" for me up until now 🤔