4 days of spotting- super long cycle- PCOS? What to get tested for

mc123mc

Hi ladies, 

I'm on month 4 of TTC. 35 y/o and DH and 36. I had been on the nuvaring for probably 10 years +  and the pill before then. I've been on birth control since I was 16, so almost 20 years!  

First 2 cycles were normal with the exception that I gained 10 lbs in 2 months and my hair and skin were suddenly super oily. I also broke out like a 14 year old which is awesome at 35!!! I just figured that was my body getting it's hormones straightened out. 

These last two have been a little weirder. One in Sept was 32 days long and started with 3 days of spotting then 2 days normal and my last day was super heavy. The spotting was brown in the beginning which kind of alarmed me. That did not happen when I was on BC, it would start red and end brown.  

This cycle is going on 34 days, been spotting for the last 4 days, same brown stuff, it's kind of chunky too? not clots but not liquid. 

I have an appt with my GYN Nov 6th and I am going to bring all of this to her attention. The oily skin and hair kind of points to PCOS. I did gain weight immediately after going off but I had also lost 15 lbs that summer for my wedding and the 10 I gained I figured was just me returning to my regular weight. It did come on super fast though. 

I want my appt with the gyn to be as effective as possible. Besides asking about PCOS and hopefully getting some bloodwork done to prove that, what else should I be asking about? is the spotting a symptom of something else? 

TIA! 

kelley72

Welcome.  wow, breathe.  I would suggest looking into charting your cycle.  Get a copy of Taking Charge Of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler and looking into fertilityfriend for charting.  I don't think oily skin and hair point to pcos.  A 34 day cycle with brown (old blood) beginning doesn't point to pcos either.  Until you know when/ if you are ovulating and how long your lp phase is you don't have much to go on.  4 months isn't that long in the ttc realm.  The general rule of thumb is ttc for 6 months then if you are ready/want to move on to RE for appropriate testing and game plan.  Best wishes!

mc123mc

Thanks. Yes, I am probably being a little assertive in my request for testing. Sister had PCOS so that's another factor. Just want to be sure I am prepared, blame it on my type A personality!