https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:51:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-965187 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 20:55:23 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 965187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: I thought you were at least going to an OB. Yeah, the doc you saw today will be limited utility. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962445 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 10:18:13 +0000 pui 962445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I can't go directly to an RE, I need to be referred by my GP... but I agree that is about the extent of his usefulness at this point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962437 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 10:16:49 +0000 spaniellove 962437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: I think it would be a good idea for you to see an RE...at this point a GP's limited capabilities seem like a waste of your time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962392 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 10:05:25 +0000 pui 962392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: Currently I am seeing a GP, but I am going to twist his arm for a referral to a RE when I go tomorrow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962387 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 10:04:14 +0000 ShootingStar 962387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: I never waited after inducing, it's a waste of time IMO. Are you seeing an RE or an OB? OBs are less knowledgable and might make you wait for some unknown reason. They also won't monitor you like an RE will. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962376 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 10:02:44 +0000 pui 962376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: Yes, okay... I haven't had a chance to really "monitor" a cycle yet because I went to the doctor on CD65 and it's still going.</p> <p>I'm thinking of inducing my period. I've heard that then I'm supposed to wait until the next cycle before monitoring, but what if my period just never comes again after it's induced? All questions to ask my doctor, I guess... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962368 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 10:00:22 +0000 ShootingStar 962368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: I did have my blood tested at various points, but I'm not sure it's what you're thinking of. </p> <p>When you see an RE, typically you are "monitored" which includes regular ultrasounds along with blood work. I would go in for an ultrasound and b/w on CD3 and they would check for any enlarged cysts and get a baseline for estradiol. Then I would come back I think a week later for another ultrasound and blood work. They use the ultrasound to measure the follicles, and the estradiol to tell them if you've "peaked". When your estradiol peaks, your follicles aren't going to grow any more, regardless of the meds. Every few days I would go back for more ultrasounds and b/w until I either triggered ovulation or gave up on the cycle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962349 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:56:06 +0000 TheSwissWifeStyle 962349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Keep us posted! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962339 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:52:29 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 962339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: Let's get you some answers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962328 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:50:02 +0000 pui 962328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I've written down a huge list of questions to bring tomorrow, and I plan on bringing a notepad to take notes while I am there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962326 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:49:09 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 962326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: You have a doctor's appointment tomorrow if I recall? I'd be ready with dozens of questions and requests! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962319 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:47:48 +0000 pui 962319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: Hmm who knows! I hope maybe pregnancy has helped your body get in to the groove of ordinary cycles!</p> <p>My ultrasound was completely normal and I'm sure he checked testosterone levels during my first blood test because he initially thought I had PCOS too. Did you need to have your blood tested at certain days during your cycle?</p> <p>I guess it's possible I don't have PCOS, but I definitely have some sort of hormonal imbalance. I really hope it was just the hypothyroidism and maybe my body just needs some time to balance out... I don't know how long I should wait before I get worried (who am I kidding, I am already worried.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962293 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:41:59 +0000 ShootingStar 962293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: I saw an RE after 4 months off BC, 3 of which I never got a period on my own. She was pretty sure I had it considering my history of irregular periods (though for a few years before BC they were perfect) and other factors. I got blood work done showing high testosterone (a pretty big sign of PCOS) and finally I had an ultrasound which showed the classic "string of pearls" of cysts on my ovaries. </p> <p>I was put on Metformin which didn't really seem to do anything for me. But since we were TTC I was also taking oral meds to ovulate. My ovaries are extremely stubborn and took high doses of Clomid and Femara before doing anything. Clomid only worked the first cycle (after doing 50, then 100, then 150mg). After that 150mg did nothing for me. I then did Femara at 5mg and then 7mg (same cycle), which eventually worked to make me ovulate, but no +. Then 7mg Femara with Gonal-f and I got pregnant. </p> <p>I'm curious what will happen after pregnancy, especially since I've lost 15-20 pound at 22.5 weeks along. And since my periods have at times been completely regular, I'm not sure if I will have improved or if I'll be in the same state I was before pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962243 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:31:50 +0000 pui 962243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: How were you diagnosed? Were you treated with Metformin and then your cycles improved?</p> <p>My doctor seems pretty sure I do not have PCOS. In fact he said my blood work and ultrasound were "unremarkable". PCOS was the first thing he looked for, but he told me that there is nothing abnormal with me besides my hypothyroidism... which is now all better. I'm not completely convinced I do not have PCOS. It'll be interesting to see what my doctor recommends tomorrow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962226 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:29:21 +0000 ShootingStar 962226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: PCOS :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962223 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:28:43 +0000 Bao 962223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't consider it a period until it's an actual flow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962222 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:28:42 +0000 pui 962222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: Why did you have such long cycles? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962212 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:26:08 +0000 ShootingStar 962212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: I'm pretty sure you build up a lining, but since you don't ovulate your body doesn't get the cue to shed it. You probably don't build it up continuously the whole time, but your body was probably in a follicular phase much longer than typical (and therefore building lining). I would really think it would be more than a little spotting, and probably more than a typical period. I used to have SUPER long cycles (like months) and my periods were hugely heavy once they came. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962203 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:23:50 +0000 Foodnerd81 962203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: I agree- that's not full flow. I hope your doctr can help, that sounds super annoying. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962196 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:22:44 +0000 pui 962196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: Isn't it possible I haven't really been building a lining up at all because of my wonky hormones? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962188 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:20:25 +0000 ShootingStar 962188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wahine08: That can be different though because it's a withdrawal bleed, not a real period. Also, most hormonal BC intentionally works to thin your lining so as to help prevent pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962137 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:07:18 +0000 wahine08 962137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I counted as the Yes vote only because I've had extremely light periods like you are describing when trying to regulate between different BC's so it might be a hormone thing. My Dr said my period might do this until I found the right BC. </p> <p>If you can do a blood test to check it out, I would look into it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962125 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:04:24 +0000 pui 962125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Okay hmm... I'll talk to my doctor about getting some blood tests done. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962122 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:03:42 +0000 pui 962122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: Definitely don't need more than a liner. It's not very "flow" like at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962119 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:03:23 +0000 spaniellove 962119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it rises much or any until you ovulate...looking at past cycles I was still at 0.2 and 0.3 through ovulation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962117 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:02:39 +0000 ShootingStar 962117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would only consider it full flow if you need more than a panty liner. Especially after that long, you should have much more lining to shed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962112 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:01:12 +0000 pui 962112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: And yes, I am considering Provera. I go to my doctor tomorrow... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962110 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:00:53 +0000 pui 962110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: If I consider Monday CD1, then I'm already on CD4... I can't just get a blood test on my own I need a doctor's referral. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962105 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 08:59:37 +0000 spaniellove 962105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a blood test on CD3 would indicate that your progesterone has fallen to a certain level (like mine is always 0.3 on CD2/3)?</p> <p>ETA: Are you considering the Provera at this point? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spotting-or-a-period#post-962092 Thu, 25 Jul 2013 08:56:26 +0000 pui 962092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TheSwissWifeStyle: A blood test...? I don't know? Does that exist? </p>