what do you consider "spotting"?

katiebug58

After years and years on BCP I wonder if I am misreading my new super light AF.  Especially last month, I wonder if what I recorded as spotting was actually CD1.  That would explain why I thought last months' cycle was longer than usual and this month's O was earlier than usual.

So, what do you consider spotting and what do you consider CD1?

juliane2004

Sometimes I spot earlier in the day and it turns into CD 1. I call it CD1 if at any point in the day, I need a pad.

It's spotting if I only see it on the toilet paper, not on pad/underware.

Raggedy1

Agreed, if there's more fluid than normal cervical mucous and I need a mini-pad or if I'm considering a tampon then it's light period.  Personally, my period starts with spotting for less than an hour then goes full force and ends with more spotting.  

Squishy622

For me I might need a panty liner for what I consider heavier spotting (there would just be a few "spots" on the liner) but I don't count that as a light period- it's super obvious for me when it changes from spotting to flow and I switch to needing a tampon. HTH!

Katie829

I am currently on Provera to help me get AF. I need to go in for CD3 b/w. My doctor told me that CD1 counted when I need a pad/tampon. If it is just when you wipe then it is only spotting.

I have been freaking spotting for 6 days!!! Gahh!

angelsnight

I may be wrong, but my last AF was really light and I counted it as so.  I counted it as spotting when it was only there when I wiped, or just a few spots on the panty liner.

 For the first time in a really long time my last period was so light that I never needed a real pad or tampon, but since it basically covered my entire pantyliner and I had to change my pantyliner at least once per day, I considered that to be more than just spotting.

SandNSurf

I'm on the same page as everyone else. I'm supposed to be on CD1, but I'm barely showing a bit of pink in the toilet paper (and not even every time i go to the bathroom). My AF is always super-heavy. So I consider it spotting, which makes me a day late. however, the test was a BFN, so I'm not getting excited. Just thinking my cycle is in its own world this time. 

katiebug58

Thanks ladies!  Sounds like we are all thinking the same way about this.