I keep spotting 5 days before due period????

[SKC111]

Hello fellow warriors, I’m hoping for some advice & opinions please! Yday was cycle day 24 and I experienced some spotting. My last 3/4 periods have been 35 days. They used to be 30 but a long haul holiday shifted my length which hasn’t returned. The last 3 or 4 months while ttc naturally I’ve experienced a spotting bleed which is light and occurs mainly when I go to the toilet, any strain creates spot of blood. I’ve never been pregnant, we have been trying for over a year. I’m waiting to start ivf. This month it’s slightly earlier, I googled implantation spotting signs and symptoms. Im thinking I might call my doctor today. Has anyone had anything similar. As I’ve never been pregnant I always think could I have implantation issues but obvs you think about every possible reason. My partner has 1% morphology but all my tests are fine. Any words would be appreciated thank you!

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Just wanted to say good luck when you do start your IVF treatment The spotting may be due to hormonal changes at the neck [cervix] of your womb that happen as hormones raise and fall during the menstrual cycle

Take care of yourself

Janet-Partner

[SKC111 in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thanks Janet, I appreciate the reply

[Blahblahblahxxx]

I had the same issue, up to 9-10 days of spotting before my period. I've recently been diagnosed with PCOS (after 6 years of unexplained infertility, one IVF cycle which was successful and gave me my daughter and one FET which ended in a chemical). The spotting could be hormone imbalance/low progesterone.Most of my blood work has previously come back as 'within range' but I do think it varies cycle to cycle. I have ALOT of follicles on ultrasound. Have you had a scan?

Since my diagnosis I have made some lifestyle changes and my spotting has now decreased down to 2-3 days prior to period which is a huge improvement for me.

[SKC111 in reply to Blahblahblahxxx]

Hey thanks so much for the reply. I’m awaiting a call back from the doctors today so will discuss with them. I just looked at my blood test & it just states normal for progesterone nothing else. I’m due to start ivf next period and at my scans I have a total of approx 21 follicles total (I never know if you state numbers per ovary or total) I am 40 so believe this is a decent number. I have recently started to get more than usual depression around my time of the month. I have googled PCOS and I don’t have any other symptoms. We have been trying for over a year and I’ve never been pregnant. Congratulations on your daughter ❤️ do you mind me asking how old you are? Thanks again I really appreciated the reply! Hopefully it’s low progesterone and the ivf works 🤞🏼

[Blahblahblahxxx in reply to SKC111]

Of course, I'm 36. I was 33 when I did my egg collection. I also don't have many of the usual pcos symptoms which is why I think it's taken so long to diagnose. Do you have a regular cycle? As I know progesterone levels tests can vary depending on when you ovulate. The usual day they test is cd21 but that's based on a 28day cycle, ovulating on cd14 which is actually not that common for most women.21 follicles altogether sounds good, I had 20 on one ovary, hence the polycystic! 😅

It might also be stress blowing your hormone levels out. Our bodies are so sensitive to the slight upset, so if your going through a particular time of high stress it could be why.... And we all know infertility/fertility treatment is super stressful so very counter productive 🙄

Hope you get some answers though, it's hard enough going through this with so many unknowns.

And good luck with your upcoming IVF cycle. 🍀

[SKC111 in reply to Blahblahblahxxx]

Hey, thanks for the reply! That’s a really good point about the day 21 tests. I’ve booked in with my Doctor on Friday for an internal examination and to arrange blood tests. Also on stress the first time I got this was the first month I was meant to start treatment so you could be right, if only we knew the answers! Thank you 🙏🏻

[Rubylou01]

I also have spotting - anything from day before to a week. I understood it was just your hormone levels not quite right - and unfortunately over 40 it seemed to go even more wonky for me. Diet, exercise, removal of endocrine disrupting bath and beauty products (Yuka app useful) and supplements haven't seemed to change this - my estrogen just seems quite low at the start of my cycle, but I also found out I was low in testosterone so maybe this has been influencing things too. Have you had any other tests recently on your base hormones? I've found GP spectacularly uninterested so had to go private (via Hertility/ medichecks, etc) but if you do a day 3 of your cycle test you can see what's going on in addition to proestrogen? And the NHS levels are v broad and I don't think help for those of us who are trying to get pregnant. I've used Rebecca Fetts "It starts with the egg" as my benchmark. And just to say with IVF I've had problems with egg collections where I have had dominant follicles because you're told your day 1 is when you start a fresh bleed - not the spotting - but actually it's been too late for me as follicles are already engaged so it's something you might want to be aware of and make sure to tell your clinic about (apparently some ladies have v sensitive pituatury glands). Ive now been put on a long protocol where they make sure your ovaries are quiet so might be a route for you to explore if the spotting doesn't clear up xx

[SKC111 in reply to Rubylou01]

Thanks so much for the reply!!! I have spoken to my Doctors who advised to book a blood test. My period is due next week and I’ll start treatment so doubt I’ll have any answers before then. I can access medichecks via work so will look into that. The Doctors suggested premenopause obvs not what I wanted to hear, she wasn’t great. I have read the book it was very helpful. Thanks for the tips xxx