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Sounds to me like its possible you could have some kind of issue with progesterone, uterine fibroids or a myriad of other causes for pre period spotting. Are you nursing a little one? If so that most likely is the culprit but if not I would say if you should get checked out just to make sure your hormones are balanced. It definitely can have an effect on TTC but can also be easily fixed so don't worry. Best of luck I to you.

FWIW, I had pre-AF brown spotting and my progesterone levels were repeatedly normal. There was never an identifiable cause for it.

@stiletto_mom: I honestly don't think spotting is connected to your anxiety. Were you on birth control prior to TTC? It would make sense that once you went off the birth control to start TTC that this showed-up. Birth control can give a lot of people a false sense of thinking that their period is totally normal because of the control from the hormones. Many doctors (mine included) don't take issue with spotting before periods and as @LindsayInNY: said, it often doesn't have a cause. I know many women (on the boards and IRL) who were able to get pregnant with a short LP / spotting.

FWIW, I had never heard of progesterone rich foods. Progesterone is a hormone not a vitamin. There are probably vitamins you can take (I'm thinking specifically of Vitex) that would help with your LP, but even the natural progesterone cream that places like Whole Foods sell has been shown to be only marginally effective. If you have a true progesterone deficiency, I would recommend consulting your doctor for treatment.

BUT, if you are under 35 most doctors won't see you for fertility reasons until you have been trying for 12 months. I would consult your insurance.

I know you don't want to hear this, but 4 months is still well within the normal range. If I remember correctly, you just started using OPK's. The stats regarding your odds of getting pregnant etc are for times when you had "perfect timing." Potentially the OPK's could show you that you've been ovulating at a completely different time and you've been missing your window. You never know! Good luck!

Sorry, this sounds super frustrating! If you have a good relationship with your OB, I don't see why you couldn't get your levels checked. Is it possible that maybe your body was doing this all along but you never noticed? Before TTC, I never thought twice about CM, spotting etc but just accepted it. One cycle, I SWORE I was pregnant because I had all these little cramps around 7 dpo and nada. The next month, I was KU with not so much as a cramp. Not saying this is in your head at all, but maybe this has been the norm for you? Best of luck to you!

@stiletto_mom: If you find one (younger is better IMO) who is proactive with helping women conceive, you should have a great experience.

I would expect a pelvic exam, and then some blood tests. I would also go ahead and get a pap and a breast exam (just to get that off the table ... you do not want a pap while pregnant if you can avoid it). It should be easy breezy. According to the "rule", you're still well within the average timeframe for TTC. I know it doesn't feel like it!!!

But yeah, it should be pretty basic. You can just say you're ttc, and want to ensure your hormone levels are normal, ask if there are any immediate steps you should consider, and go from there. A good doc will have great advice, and be able to spot any major issues.

Also, as far as TTC, are you charting your temp? Are you certain of when you're Oing? That was the piece that was missing for me. Once I started, I had a clear picture. Sorry if that's unsolicited.

@stiletto_mom: After reading though it sounds like you haven't been to a OBGYN in several years, I would for sure go in and schedule an annal appointment, get checked out and make sure your PAP comes back normal and then you can bring up the fact that you are TTC. I think it's nice to have a standing relationship with an OB before you get pregnant, so you know who to call when you get that

@stiletto_mom: I'll just be frank - You were suggesting that the stress of ttc could be making you spot. That sounds like you ARE stressed, and during a time when you should enjoy all this baby making, maybe taking a different approach would be good for you?

I felt the same way about charting. I thought I would seem like a crazy person, and honestly, I worried that my husband would think I was way too obsessed. BUT, what I found out after a month was that I was actually ovulating 4-7 days after I thought I was (according to everything I had read, etc.). It was really empowering. (No lie about that book Taking Charge of Your Fertility ... It's awesome to know what's going on with your body.) Each month, I could see exactly when I had ovulated. The month I got pregnant, my chart was different, and I had a feeling I knew what it meant.

So yeah, I totally feel you on thinking it seems like too much, but really, it's as simple as keeping a thermometer on your night stand, taking your temp first thing, and plugging it into a phone app. I thought it was easier than taking OPK's and trying to decipher.

@stiletto_mom: I'm sorry you are having such a rough time. I don't think you are having a miscarriage. I think maybe you are so focused on your body (like @SimplyFelicity: ) said that you are maybe reading more into things. It's perfectly normal to have a weird cycle or even an anovulatory cycle every once in awhile. I believe my doctor said one a year is the norm? I can't remember exactly.

I would HIGHLY encourage you to make an appointment with your OB. Maybe try posting a thread about where you live and if anyone recommends an OB / midwife. A lot of bees are Canadian.

Again, I'm so sorry you are struggling.

@stiletto_mom: Did you get a positive test? Otherwise, miscarriage doesn't really apply. Sounds more like low P.

@stiletto_mom: I would make the appointment, but also ask to get your blood drawn to check for HCG in your system. If you were pregnant, that would confirm it. A home pregnancy test would also work. I think most of all, a visit to an OB can give you help understanding the big picture.

If you do decide to chart your temp, you'll want to get a basal thermometer, which records to the hundredth. I found mine at Walgreens. It's pink and you can't miss it!

@stiletto_mom: I would just keep on keeping on.