QuestionHello,
I am writing to you from Toronto, Canada. I just turned 34 this month and my husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for 2 months now. I realize this is considered to be a short period of time and it isn't considered necessarily to be a problem for 6 months to a year.
I have fairly regular periods with my "actual" period usually coming every 27 to 32 days. My concern is that almost every month I have very light spotting 2 - 3 days before my period start (e.g. so if my period came on day 30, light spotting might start on day 27 or 28).
This last month I had light spotting for a whole week before my period started. Based on temperature readings I estimate this was about 4 days after ovulation. The spotting is very, very light. I went to my doctor as I was reading online about progesterone problems and luteal phase problems and wondering if this spotting could mean I have that problem and will prevent pregnancy. My doctor told me not to worry at this point. Cycles aren't like "clockwork" and to come back if I continue to have this problem. He said light spotting for a couple days prior to a period isn't necessarily abnormal
If was 24 I wouldn't be as worried as I am at 34. My question is should I be concerned at this point or should I just wait and continue trying and see what happens in a few months? My (uneducated) concern is that if I had spotting this month, even if there had been a fertilized egg it would be difficult to implant?
I would very much appreciate your opinion. Thank you.
Natalia
AnswerHello Natalia from Canada,
Your doctor is correct that spotting prior to the onset of a period is "normal", however, this could be a problem if you are trying for pregnancy if it occurs more than a few days, such as you had. If you were to get pregnant, you probably would not have the spotting, but sometimes implantation can cause a little spotting so it is hard to know for sure. Certainly, a little progesterone supplementation after ovulation would not hurt, and might help. I don't see why your doctor would not prescribe it if you requested him to do so. But, he is also right in that it has been too short a time to be concerned regarding your fertility. Most women will take 8-12 months to achieve pregnancy.
Good Luck,
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 follow me on Facebook at http://bit.ly/9Iw9oV
