Is spotting normal?

[DonnaKebab]

Hi there. Been reading that spotting before your period can be a sign of low progesterone levels. Does anyone else get that? Plus i hear you count cd1 as any flow no matter if it is light as long as you need a pad/tampon? I have counted my cd1 as light flow. I wonder if tracking is right for me now since my body could just be getting used to coming off the pill. I know that i may be a day out with my cd1 but just getting used to charting and how my body works naturally. So stressed!

 

[DonnaKebab]

Plus if it is after a certain time when af comes do you count the next day as cd1?

 

[Syd43]

Hi Donna. I get spotting for up to 7 days before each period and have done for years. I've been told this is probably a sign of low progesterone but when I had a 21 day blood test it came back absolutely fine so I really don't know what it is. I've googled it a lot and there are lots of women who get spotting but still get pregnant - usually the first sign for them that they're pregnant is the lack of spotting.

You're supposed to count day 1 as the first day of full flow, so I spot for 7 days and then have day 1. I believe if af starts very late then you should count cd1 as the next day, I'm not sure what the "cut off" time is, I think I've read that it's around 9/10pm but I really don't know how accurate that is.

Regarding charting, are you temping and opk'ing? I've done both and find it really useful. I always get a big dip in temperature on the same day I get a positive opk and my temp. rises the next day showing that ovulation has taken place.

 

[Unicorn]

Hi ladies, spotting before your period is a sign of low progesterone and even though your levels can be fine on a 21 day blood test (mine always were) your levels are not high enough to maintain your uterus lining or do not stay high enough. I've had this problem for months and was perscribed progesterone for the first time last month and didn't have any spotting. Progesterone supplement doesn't support you to conceive but it does help maintain your uterus lining to support a pregnancy xx

 

[Syd43]

That's great that it stopped the spotting Unicorn. My consultant won't give me any kind of supplement as she says at my age I shouldn't be putting hormones into my body - lovely... I'm trying to sort it naturally with reflexology.

 

[Unicorn]

I have reflexology as well and love it xx

 

[DonnaKebab]

But i am not sure if it is spotting or just a light period i had to start with. I had a little bit on a panty liner and a streak of red on toilet paper. Put on a pad and started what i thought was a light period overnight. Did i have spotting or just a natural start of a period? Just off the pill 3 months now so not 100% sure of my cycle yet. Really confused. Do you have to be full flow before it is considered not spotting? I just had a light one today and thought they were stopping but just had a lot of streaks on toilet paper - sorry for being crude! Can your flow vary throughout? Sorry been on the pill for ten years!

 

[Syd43]

I honestly don't know, I'm sorry. I haven't been on any form of bc for over 15 yrs.

 

[Ragdoll]

DonnaKebab- I have spotting/light flow before period too. I tend to also go by once the flow increases as CD1, as a lot of my spotting is like a light pink/brown CM almost. When I first came off the pill my periods were better , four day bleed -first day light second and third day full flow and fourth day light then done. Since then my body just does what it wants. Cycle lengths are anywhere from 23-35 days and I bleed from 5-13 days(I was told this is classed as being regular-getting a second opinion soon).

Best thing is to ask GP/Consultant and make notes of how your cycles are so you can hopefully get answers

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