Spotting during luteal phase... advice needed!!

maryfari

Hi

I need advice from ladies who spot during luteal phase.

First of all, please know that I am posting this question here because I am currently stationed in iraq with DH. We have a good doctor but obviously she's not as good as the ones we get back home. I m frustrated that she isn't really proactive and I've to push her often.

My issue is I spot during the luteal phase.
- I have clockwork period
- I have 14 day luteal period length on average
- BUT I have an ovarian cyst in my left ovary.
- my progesterone shows I ovulate (this month it was 22 on cycle day 21)
- I had elevated prolactin (34) but probably a retest I needed, I'll ask the doctor for that one
- TMI alert: the spotting is always old blood and very watery. No red spots.

What do you think could be the possibility of having this spotting? Please let me remind you I am asking this question on a forum only because I don't get good doctors here so I hope to get some info here based on any experiences.

Mamabeagle

I mean, I spotted for two days before AF in my 4 cycles post BC. I don't know exactly what you're asking...are you asking if you could be pregnant or just why you have spotting in general?

We can't possibly know the answer to the first question, and the second is just that women can spot at any time during their cycle, it can change from one cycle to another, and it's totally normal.

PrimRoseMama

maryfari said:

Hi

I need advice from ladies who spot during luteal phase.

First of all, please know that I am posting this question here because I am currently stationed in iraq with DH. We have a good doctor but obviously she's not as good as the ones we get back home. I m frustrated that she isn't really proactive and I've to push her often.

My issue is I spot during the luteal phase.
- I have clockwork period
- I have 14 day luteal period length on average
- BUT I have an ovarian cyst in my left ovary.
- my progesterone shows I ovulate (this month it was 22 on cycle day 21)
- I had elevated prolactin (34) but probably a retest I needed, I'll ask the doctor for that one
- TMI alert: the spotting is always old blood and very watery. No red spots.

What do you think could be the possibility of having this spotting? Please let me remind you I am asking this question on a forum only because I don't get good doctors here so I hope to get some info here based on any experiences.

You could just spot. Honestly? It happens. Prior to having my son I would spot during my luteal phase regularly. It was just part of my TTC experience. No real explanation.

If you are TTC you are most likely having more sex. Cervix sensitivity or little tears can cause spotting.

If you've had to strain to expel waste then you can spot. If you've been checking your cervix frequently you can irritate the tissues & spot.

Spotting is really not cause for alarm as long as you don't require a full on pad. That is most likely the reason your doc abroad is not stressing.

ddjay315

I've had spotting during LP as well. Usually as a result of BDing, then it's watery and brownish rather than pink. I agree with @PrimRoseMama, a variety of things can cause it, especially anything that may have caused a tear (BD, checking cervix, etc.).

Also last cycle I had an anovulatory cycle for the first time ever, so I had random brownish spotting a few days before AF showed up.

Are there any other alarm bells going off? Severe pain, etc? Otherwise it sounds normal but you're likely noticing due to being super aware of everything down there that you may not have noticed before (I've been there!).

If it becomes a pattern over a few cycles, and you feel it's severe enough, then I would address it with the doc (honestly at this point she's likely to say "let's wait til AF shows up" or "let's wait a few more cycles and see if it keeps happening" anyway).

SisterMaryNapalm

Sporting is perfectly normal. In fact most women I know spot some time during their cycle. Spotting on its own doesn't mean anything in particular. Good luck!

maryfari

Thank you for your input girls. It does set me to ease a bit, especially given the progesterone levels I got this month. @Mamabeagle, no I was not asking in reference to a possible pregnancy; I was asking in general. @ddjay315 no I don't have any pain, in fact I don't feel a thing when that happens. I don't have painful sex either. My periods are not too painful, they go easy breezy with a nice flow. I must add here this spotting starts 2 to 3 days after ovulation and then comes and goes till AF shows. TMI: I need a pantyliner though, just for keeping clean. Its definitely enough to show there, but not soak it. Sorry for the TMI.

Girls, just asking... can having an ovarian cyst have anything to do with this spotting? I have a cyclic cyst that grows a bit each cycle and sort of settles down as soon as period comes.

KristieA

Hi @Maryfari I have had several cysts (I started growing them at 13) and no it has never caused me to have unusual spotting. Your mileage could vary and it would depend on the type of cyst you have. Had you had it investigated?

maryfari

@KristieA I haven't had it checked in a while but I plan to ask my doctor to do it this coming cycle to just get it out of the way. Thanks for your input.

KristieA

That sounds like a good plan. Here in the UK if it is a simple cyst and under 5cm its deemed as nothing to worry about, if its between 5-9cm you get monitoring and if its 10cm or above they remove it. If its a complex cyst, those guidelines don't quite work.

I'm sure you know but if you get intense pain with nausea and vomiting, call your doctor immediately! Good luck!