Spotting - Lutal Phase Defect

Clynn82au

I posted earlier about this and have sinced been researching like crazy this condition. 

I've been off BC for 6 months now and my cycles have seemed to be very regular.  I've noticed that for the past 5 cycles (with the exception of last cycle) I start spotting about a week before AF is due.  I started spotting 8 DPO this cycle (when I went to the bathrrom that morning and wiped, I saw a little pinkish discharge).  Of course I was hoping it was IB but it hasn't stopped.  I am currently 11 DPO and have had the brown spotting every day since. I only really notice it when I wipe and very rarely does it get on my underwear. A previous poster said it could be Lutal Phase Defect.  Most of the things I'm reading online say a sympton of this condition is early periods or red spotting.  Mine have been brown, no red at all.  Has anyone else ever expereineced this?

I'm thinking about making an appt. with my doctor to discuss. If it is LPD, what can be done to help? 

Thanks ladies!

smittie417

I have had this problem as well since coming off of BC - I had brown spotting for 2-3 days before AF. 

Last month, I went to the doc because I knew something had to be wrong - turns out I had BV.  Went on antibiotic, and here I am still with brown spotting. 

I also have a short LP 10-13 days, and I'm starting to get concerned as well.  I'm interested to hear other responses...

rrcraz7

I start spotting as early as 3 dpo but because my LP was over 10 days every cycle they really said there was nothing to worry about. Spotting at 8DPO is not uncommon. I was only able to see 2 charts and both show a decent LP length. Do you have other charts that say its shorter?

rrcraz7

smittie417:

I have had this problem as well since coming off of BC - I had brown spotting for 2-3 days before AF. 

Last month, I went to the doc because I knew something had to be wrong - turns out I had BV.  Went on antibiotic, and here I am still with brown spotting. 

I also have a short LP 10-13 days, and I'm starting to get concerned as well.  I'm interested to hear other responses...

Spotting 2-3 days before your flow begins is perfectly normal

An LP length of 10-13 days is also normal. Consistantly under 10 would be short.

Clynn82au

I understand that an LP of 14 days is normal and so is 2-3 of spotting before AF.  I guess I was just concerned about spotting brown for almost 7 days before AF (which has been the case 5 out of 6 of my past cycles).

I didn't start charting on FF until 2 cycles ago, I was using the Bump fertility chart which turned out to be crap.

Clynn82au

Yeah, I was just referring to mine being within the normal range.  Not the actual range itself.

daisy19782011

I have a very similar cycle history---spotting 6-8DPO for about 7 days.  My LP is 12 days, but will spotting most of the time.

I went in and saw my OB.  She ordered some blood work--testosterone, Prolactin, and something else.  Prolactin came back a little low but b/c I have regular cycles, they werent worried.  I asked about Progesterone testing and they said the normally wait til after I get pregnant to check that.

She then ordered a SA (normal), HSG (1 tube open for sure) and a pelvic ultrasound to make sure the spotting isnt from a cyst or endometriosis. I am still waiting to hear back on that.

Just wanted to share since our stories are similar.  I would call and talk to your doc.  It made me feel better that I was actually doing something about it.

rosiecottonk

Similar story here. Since I've gone off BC, I've spotted for anywhere between 2-7 days before my period. Always brown. I went to my doctor in August after this had gone on for 6 months. Did an ultrasound to check for endometriosis, and came back fine. Doctor thinks everything is fine, though we started TTC in February 2011, and still nothing. My plan is to bring it up again at my yearly in April.

Just adding in one more report where the doctor doesn't think it's anything to worry about. 

earthboundmisfit

I've had the exact same "problem" since August but I did get pregnant this past cycle. I mean literally exactly the same as you..brown spotting around 7dpo and lasting until AF. I even had it this month, except it ended around 11dpo [so maybe in this case it was IB]. My point being..it doesn't necessarily mean a LPD. I will say that the only thing I did different this month was take a B-Complex vitamin, though obviously I can't say if it really did anything. Could be a coincidence, but worth mentioning I guess. Just wanted to share some encouragement, there are many girls who spot every month and get pregnant w/o interventation. GL!