QuestionQUESTION: I'm a 29 year old female and have a 14 month old daughter. We have been TTC for 3 months (we conceived our daughter in 2 cycles). I have regular cycles 27-29 days and an 11 day LP (I had the same before conceiving my daughter) and I experiance a small amount of spotting around 7dpo (again I occassionaly experianced this before I had my daughter). I am concerned this is going to create a problem with us conceiving again. I am taking a vitamin B complex wiht 100mg B6 and Agnus Castus. I have seen my Doctor who said the spotting (which useually occurs following a bowel movement and stops very quickly and I then dont bleed til my period begins) is likely hormonal and unlikely to cause problems if I had it before conceiving my daughter. She took swabs to rule out infection (all clear) and checked my cervix for irregularities (all normal). Please advise- my Doctor has said to go back in 3 months if the spotting continues.
ANSWER: Hello Michelle from the U.K.,
I don't think this spotting is of any concern and should not interfere with your getting pregnant. I cannot tell you the exact source based on the information that you have given me, but since it is related to bowel movements, are you sure it is not rectal rather than vaginal?
I would follow your doctor's advice for now.
Just for your information, despite the fact that you got pregnant so quickly the first time, that is not actually very typical. 85% of woman under 30 will take 8-12 months to achieve pregnancy. You were just lucky the first time, so don't worry too much and give yourself some more time.
Good Luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf
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QUESTION: Thankyou for your response. The bleeding is definately not rectal it just appears the pressure of the bowel movement starts it (only around 7 dpo) . The bleeding is bright pink but stops quickly. Would this not be indicative of a luteal phase defect or low progesterone causing the uterus lining to shed early ? (though the bleeding does appear to completely halt until 12dpo when the menstruation begins (11 day luteal phase). Would a natural progesterone cream help? Many thanks
AnswerHello Again,
It is still unusual and atypical to be related to bowel movements. Bowel movements don't contact, interfere with or stimulate the uterus, and definitely should not do anything to the vagina since it is collapsed in its normal state. The bleeding could be ovulatory bleeding, which does happen and maybe the relationship with the bowel movements is coincidental. One way to test where the bleeding is coming from is to use a tampon in the time period when the bleeding is expected. If the bleeding has blood on it, then it is uterine as you suspect and if not, then rectal.
Postovulatory bleeding does not require any treatment, so I would not recommend progesterone at this time.
Good Luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf
