Does spotting mark the end of the cycle? Is my AF too light?

[smamfa]

I don't know much about the light flow,

but BOY am I familiar with spotting!

Prior to concieving ds1 I used to have this really long extended spotting - like a week, or up to 9 days worth - it was ridiculous. And we were having no luck ttc either, and I could tell it was DEFINITELY interfering.

After researching I thought I had low-progesterone, went and got that P4 test done that you are all talking about - all normal! Did MORE research and diagnosed myself (with help from Dr Google) with endometriosis (had NO other symptoms apart from the spotting). I eventually got to see a specialist and that is EXACTLY what she suspected as well - apparently something like 75-80% of spotting can be attributed to endo?

I ended up having a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery no biggie really), and my dr said I only had VERY MILD endo and she didn't think it would be affecting my fertility - BUT straight after the op my massive spotting diminished to only 1-2 days before af, and then BANG - UTD at last!!!

ReeRee - after that massive story I don't think a couple of days of spotting will be getting in the way for you - when my spotting went back to only a couple of days I didn't have any trouble getting preg. But I always hear people thinking of "low progesterone" being the culprit for spotting, and in my experience endo is more likely. However the test for progesterone is easy so it makes sense to get that done first if you are worried.

Goodluck! xx

And to add - I also found that GPs didn't seem to have any clue about the spotting thing. It was only when I wrangled a visit to a specialist that she said "endo" straight away. The first GP I went to just told me to come back in 6 months (when I was having 7 or so days of abnormal bleeding prior to my af - aaaaaaaargh!!!)

[Ree*Ree]

Thanks for sharing smamfa, always good to hear a diff perspective, especially with a happy ending! Very interesting too, I always thought endo involved very heavy/painful periods, so there you go I learned something new

Little update - saw a GP yesterday, he was very thorough and listened to everything I had to say. He's pretty sure there's nothing up with me, but still ordered 2 lots of bloods, one for during AF and the day 21 test, just to see how everything's going. Also gave me a referral thingy for an abdo ultrasound if I want to get that done as well. So now it's time to play the waiting game I guess.... In the meantime, I have booked both Dh and I into a TCM clinic to see what they have to say

[smamfa]

Hope all your tests come back fine ReeRee. I always felt really good to be proactive, and it felt good to gather information too. It might well be the same for you as it was for me with ds1 - one month I didn't have any spotting at all - and it was a sure sign for me of my BFP! Hope yours is on it's way to you

Stephie - did you get your prog results back yet?