Hi all! I don't really know where else to turn so I thought I'd throw this out there for you guys. Some background: I'm 30, TTC 4 months, healthy BMI, exercise 5 days a week, husband is 31 very healthy, no sexual health issues, etc.
Since we started TTC, I've been spotting for 4-6 days before every period then spotting 1-3 days after every period. Finally went to my gynecologist who refuses to do anything for a year. She nicely told me to "just try to stop thinking about it" and "de-stress" as it's probably stress making me spot. Really?! I never feel stressed. I sleep well, exercise, my life has a nice balance right now. She won't test me for low progesterone or anything.
So now DH and I just keep trying and failing to get pregnant. Clearly if I'm spotting that means there is no possible way an embryo can implant. I honestly feel like something's wrong. Am I exercising too much? Can you be stressed without feeling stressed?
What can I do? 
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i don't know what the problem could be but is there any way you could see another doctor? i have had some crappy doctors in the past and switching docs has often made a huge difference. so sorry you're going through this!
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I'm so sorry you're going through this. Has the excessive spotting been recent since you started TTC? Did you recently go off birth control or have there been any other changes? Honestly, I might be inclined to try to find a new doctor who will take you seriously, or at least give you better advice than "just don't think about it."
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If both of you are very healthy and don't have any issues that you know of, I think 4 months is still within a healthy range! I think you can make an appointment with a RE after 6 months of TTC?
From what I gather, it can take 100% healthy couples up to a year to conceive naturally; sometimes it just takes longer!
Also I think RE would be more proactive than your regular OB.
Good luck with TTC! You should join some of our TTC/POAS boards for support & extra info!
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I had fairly heavy spotting for about a week before my period after going off the pill. I was worried it would mean we had a hard time conceiving, but I was fine. I did take a B Complex to see if it helped- not sure if it did or not, to be honest.
So, I guess my point is, it could be a problem, or it could be nothing.
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I'm sorry you're experiencing this. Have you considered getting a second opinion with another OB? I think some OBs are just more laid back than others. Hope you can get some answers soon.
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As others have said, it's hard to know
I feel like spotting is that weird gray area where everything could be fine, or there could be an issue. Any chance you could try to see a different doctor who might be more proactive? FWIW, I generally spotted around 8 and 9 dpo, then would start my period on 13 dpo, with some spotting at the tail end of the period (which I think is perfectly normal, by the way. I believe it's just your blood flow tapering off, although I'm not a doctor so don't know for sure!).
I ended up pregnant our third cycle trying, so the spotting didn't end up being an issue, although that third cycle I really tried to boost my progesterone and balance my hormone levels to help. Who knows if it did anything, or if it was just a fluke though
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I've always spotted for a few days before and after AF. I was worried as well but had no trouble getting pregnant with my son - it happened the first month. I could have just been lucky, but I don't think spotting is necessarily a problem.
It definitely wouldn't hurt to try another doctor though, if you're really worried. I'd be a little concerned if my doctor was so blatantly dismissing my concerns about something.
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I think you should find a new doctor who takes you and your health seriously, even aside from TTC, spotting like that should be investigated, it must be at the very least really inconvenient!
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@Adira: Admittedly, spotting has started since we started TTC. So I do believe it's stress/ pressure related. But what, I'm going to just stop thinking about it? That to me is simply impossible. ugh!
@Foodnerd81: I'm actually taking B vitamin and vitex! And thank you, your response made me feel better.
@Snowdrop: if I were under 25 and didn't have spotting, I would understand waiting a little longer for tests, but geez I'm not getting any younger ya know?
@SeptMomma12: yeah I mean she was nice and like I wish I could tell you how ot relax, but you're going to have to find what works for you. well, NOTHING works lol
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@pachamama: Yeah, I don't know how you just stop thinking about it! Hopefully it doesn't affect your ability to get pregnant at all.
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Is your doctor part of a practice? Can you maybe see another doc for a second opinion?
I love going to a group because I know that some operate differently than others. The guy I saw during my MC, I saw because he was incredibly caring. But when I spotted for an entire month, his outlook was to "wait and see" (thankfully it stopped)
I plan to go back to the first doctor I saw there because I know she's more proactive at testing hormone levels and what not.
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@pachamama: personally I don't understand the year thing anyway, what is the harm in gathering information? Spotting should be treated as a gnynocological problem...which it is!
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Do you temp? My doctor was willing to do testing early because I temp and new my luteal phase was short. I'd only be concerned if the spotting is happening before 10 dpo. If you do have a short luteal phase they might be able to do testing early and get you on meds to help. Best of luck to you. I wish ttc wasn't this frustrating!
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Regardless of the underlying issue, you deserve a doctor who takes your health concerns seriously and is willing to explain what they think is happening and a timeline for addressing it that makes you comfortable. Once you get pregnant things get more complicated so switching now may be best long haul.
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I know it is possible to get pregnant while spotting. But this could also be indicative of a problem that would prevent you from getting pregnant. I second the suggestion of seeing someone else. When this happened to me when I went off the pill to TTC and got worse each successive month, my OB offered me a HSG. He may have just been grasping for a solution... I wonder what others' doctors have suggested for spotting like this?
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@duchessdina: temping made me completely utterly batshit crazy; that's when the spotting started. I'm glad I did it because I have a nice thermal shift around my supposed O date but I will never do it again. I am Type-A to a horrible fault.
@sarahbee: @Little Misters Mom: @MaryM: Agreed, I feel like I want to talk to someone else but their practice rule is "try for a year, with few exceptions." Frustrating. (My OB is part of a pretty large practice, most of which are good docs.)I want to call and just talk to an MD ... but they make me come in for an appt. Should I call? I'm 7DPO and starting to spot (very lightly) this is 2 days earlier than last month
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I understand "try for a year" rules, but like @Snowdrop: said, spotting isn't a fertility problem, it's a regular gynecological problem.
If you call back, I wouldn't say anything about TTC. Say that you've had mid-cycle spotting for however many cycles, and that you're concerned about what might be causing it.
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@MaryM: ooooo that's a good idea. Do doctors in a "talk amongst" themselves? My friend say they don't have time to compare notes on a patient (but it wouldn't be a bad thing if they did!)
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Update! after about 6 months of spotting 5-6 days before each period (and TTC this whole time too), MD wants me to come in and get Day 21 bloods taken as well as an ultrasound. DH got his S.A. done and we're waiting on those results. We'll see how it goes, I guess.
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@pachamama: hope you get some answers.
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I started spotting a little during the 5th month of my first pregnancy, which freaked me out and I cried so much thinking I must have lost the baby. The doctor looked into my cervix and saw a polyp hanging right in the middle.
Just wanted to throw out some possibilities that there might be something in the way.
They told me the polyp is still there after the birth of DD, but said it could be a problem but they wouldn't know for sure until we TTC again. -
FWIW, I spot before AF each cycle and my progesterone and other levels have all been fine. I also had a chemical pregnancy while spotting. So while answers would be helpful, it doesn't necessarily mean that anything's wrong!
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@Snowybreeze: Thanks for sharing;... I am wondering about polyps. I had some spotting and painful bowel stuff going on, and "harmless,watery follicular cysts" a few years ago but MD put me on birth control and they cleared up.
@LindsayInNY: Have you had a successful pregnancy? I just don't see how an embryo could ever implant when I'm essentially starting to shed my lining at 7DPO
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@pachamama: FWIW, spotting 3-4 days before AF seems to be normal for me. I've talked to different doctors about it over the years (I'm over 30) and none of them have ever been very concerned. I've also had two successful pregnancies and no real problems getting pregnant, although LO2 did take about 5 cycles.
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@lamariniere: Thank you!!
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@Pachamama I have the exact same concerns as you. My CM starts to turn light brown around 5/6 dpo and then by 7 dpo it is full dark brown spotting all the way until AF. I also continue to spot sporadically after AF ends all the way until ovulation day, so I basically spot 75% of a cycle.
My gynecologist thinks it might be a polyp despite going through an U/S that came back normal, but she is really not worried about spotting in terms of fertility though. She suggested going into surgery to see if the u/s missed a polyp, but I think she's really just trying to find an answer for me. Progesterone supplements didn't help my spotting at all and she didn't prescribe it for me for fertility reasons either. Totally bummed as my spotting has started right on cue yet again.
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Just saw this.... they refuse to do anything about it after you tried to conceive for a year and failed? Hmm... switch doctors. When I went to my gyn (after failing to conceive at 32 for half a year or a year, I forgot), she immediately started with me a series of tests (ended up I have to remove an endometrial polyp twice). I remember she said if you are over 35 and nothing happens after TTC for 6 months then you should seek intervention while under 35 you should seek intervention if nothing happens after a year.
It sounds to me like there is a polyp of some sort. But hey what do I know
I have to say you are still young though so you do have a bit of time! Good luck!
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I'd be looking for a new doctor. When it comes to TTC, time is nothing to waste.
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@irene: No, we have only been trying actively for 7 months. Spotting was better last month. I have been taking Vitex (chasteberry) and B complex since August.
So I pushed my doctor and she got me started doing some tests!! We did an US (a few benign, "functional" cysts on my left ovary. I can actually feel these).
DH got a sperm analysis (decent results; mostly "his slow swimmers are VERY slow"-- motility isn't great, I guess?).
My progesterone was tested also- on a scale of 3-25 for the luteal phase on day 21 bloods, I got a 3.85. Seems low...?Also got an HSG last week, tubes and uterus looked great. No blockages or anything.
Both OB's said "they're just not worried" and that none of these things are a big problem.
So now we wait....
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@pachamama: I'm glad you got some more information. If it makes you feel any better, I got pregnant at age 33 and 36 despite spotting starting around 8DPO (11 day luteal phase). I'd also have spotting after med-heavy flow for ~5 days (days 6&7). Good luck!!!
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@78h2o: That does make me feel better, thank you.
I think stress is a contributing factor to the spotting. However, I don't feel stressed. Who knows. TWW starts now, but my luteal phase is usually 8 days... so I'll know shortly if I'm pregnant (or not...)
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Update for anyone interested :
I had the HSG done CD13. I know, really late in my cycle but it was the only time Dr could do it. It has apparently thrown off my cycle. I have 26-28 day cycles and I am on CD 32 with no AF. BFN the last 3 days. Absolutely not one pregnancy symptom. Would have been nice to know the HSG was going to throw my cycle off so much, we would have BDd later perhaps. Oh well. Another cycle not pregnant. -
I don't think the HSG can delay your cycle? It didn't with mine.
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@LindsayInNY: Hmmm, I don't know, when I look through forums I see a lot of ovulation and AF disruption. My OB said ''it could mess up your cycle''..... after the fact. Also, I had the HSG WAY late in my cycle, pretty much a few days before I was supposed to O.
I feel helpless and confused. Like i have for like 8 months at this point -
@pachamama: My understanding is HSG should be done after AF stops and before you O, so CD13 seems like it would fall within that time. Are you doing anything to confirm O?
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@LindsayInNY: Last year for 6 months I was checking everything- temping, OPKs, checking CM and it made me batshit crazy.....I think caused the spotting in the first place (stress?). MD "suggested" I stop. I was however ovulating CD 16-17 but had a short luteal phase.
Long story short CD 13 was supposedly before I O'd but everything is just crazy 'off' right now! -
@pachamama: Any update??
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@LindsayInNY: Not PG. AF came 5 days late but I didn't spot at least before it came! Maybe Vitex and B complex is helping? However 2-3 days now of spotting at the end of my period. Sigh.
Disappointed. I just literally never see myself getting pregnant. I just feel like it will never happen, ya know? Going to my doctor in January to start meds -
@pachamama: No spotting before is good!!! I also spot a bit at the end. It's kinda like your body getting rid of the last few drops? To be honest, you're at 7 months TTC or so, right? It took us 22 months and IUI to get pregnant. But don't get down on things, it won't do you any good. You have to stay positive and know that it WILL happen when it is meant to. Did you doctor say January = meds? In less than a year?
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