[GoldenTickets]

Okay ladies, I don't even know how to classify this question, so I thought I would ask you guys to see if you could help.

I bought "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" this evening. (I loooove Half Price Books!) I think that I am really going to enjoy this book! Anyway, I was skimming various sections in the book and came across a piece that seems to relate to me. For those of you with the book (the Revised Edition), I am on page 227 where it talks about Abnormal bleeding. It talks about postmenstrual bleeding at the tail-end of the period for two or more days, that is brown or black. The book defines this as abnormal bleeding "probably caused by an irregular shedding of the endometrium and small fragments of endometrial tissue. It is almost always thought to be a result of sub-optimal luteal function in the prior cycle." In a later paragraph, it talks about this sort of spotting indicating a possible problem with the luteal phase, and the uterine lining needing to be sufficient enough for the egg to burrow into before it is shed.

I've been tracking my periods for 3 years, just the start/end dates of the bleeding itself. My period normally ended in brown/black spotting after at least 5 days of bleeding. Since I thought it was normal, I never tracked these days, but I'm fairly certain the spotting normally lasted 2-3 days.

Does anyone else experience this, or had it checked out? What does does "sub-optimal luteal function in the prior cycle" mean? I'm still only a couple weeks into this TTC thing, and all these terms are still new to me!

[missy123]

I am not familiar with that but I would bring it up with your doctor. It may be something that is easy to fix! I know that I had weird brown blood like that about 4 months ago for 2 cycles and it ended up being ovarian cysts. I hope the best for you!

[.:Shortcake:.]

First let me say I LOVE that book!! Second I agree with Missy... I would talk to your Dr about it. I hope its something that can be fixed easily so you get your sticky BFP!

[Halfbaked]

I would talk to your doctor too but that being said, I have always had that as well. Usually 5 days bleeding, 1-2days brown spotting. I have a 14 day luteal phase though so I know that's not a problem. I also have been pg 6 times before so it was never a problem for me getting pg. I hope it's nothing to worry about and you get a bfp soon.

[~InHisHands~]

Hmmmmm... I don't remember reading that but the way you describe it I'm gonna have to go grab my book & re-read it... kinda sounds like me. Well, I have several days of spotting at the end of AF... not black but dark red/brown & I KNOW I don't O properly so it may very well be a luteal issue, IDK.

I know for me, they tested my progesterone to make sure I O which we learned I don't O successfully (my progesterone is usually anywhere between 4-8 but they want to see it above a 12) but by all outward appearances you would think that I O fine. I have fairly regular cycles (26-28 days), a normal LP (12 days), I feel O pains most months & thermal shift every month that I have temped.

[~InHisHands~]

Okay, I must not have the same book as you since pg 227 in my book is the title page for part 5, "Beyond Fertility: Practical Benefits of charting your cycle." Can you kinda point me to where you are in the book? What chapter & what section out of that chapter? I'll find it from there.

[KDD]

I don't remember that part of the book either. My periods are usually about 3 days with up to 2 days of brown spotting after. My luteal phase is a textbook 14 days. If you're concerned though I would ask your Dr. about it.

[BeccaM]

I dont have the book but very interesting... I would definitly check with your doctor if you have concerns.

[GoldenTickets]

Originally Posted by ~InHisHands~

Okay, I must not have the same book as you since pg 227 in my book is the title page for part 5, "Beyond Fertility: Practical Benefits of charting your cycle." Can you kinda point me to where you are in the book? What chapter & what section out of that chapter? I'll find it from there.

Hi Amanda -- I have the "Revised Edition" (or, so it says on the cover at least). Page 227 for me is in Chapter 15: Maintaining Your Gynecological Health" (first chapter in Part 5!). The second section in this chapter is "Normal Versus Abnormal Bleeding," and it's in that section. And then the paragraph I'm referring to is in the last part in this section, under the heading "Abnormal Bleeding." I hope this helps you find it in your book?

I have irregular cycles (anywhere from 26-64 days over the last year), and I don't know anything else about my cycle at this point.

Katie -- I think I will really enjoy the book too. I've seen many people recommend it on these boards, so I decided to give it a try. (Plus I got it for around $6 at Half Price Books, not bad!)

And thanks everyone for the responses. I'll mention it to my doctor when I see her again in November. It is nice to know that it is normal for other people too though!

[~InHisHands~]

Found it... Thanks!

Interesting... I went back & noticed I have a few cycles where I was spotting after CD 6 & I bet you anything I have more than I "recorded". I know toward the end my spotting gets so light that I just quit counting it b/c it literally feels like if I don't I'd have 10 days of spotting or something. It does mention that hormonal imbalances can cause this such as PCOS & thyroid problems which I have been dx with Thyroid issues though I'm being treated for them. It also led me to the section "Luteal Phase Problems" in ch 12, "Practical Tips Beyond Fertility Awareness" which leads me to believe that I could have fertilized several eggs over the past 4 years & they just not implant due to my progesterone defect. I've always kinda thought that might be the case. It says:

The LP appears to be a normal length, but the amt of progesterone is not optimal to produce an ideal uterine environment for implantation.

Which also kinda confirms "weak O" to me b/c I've always been kinda confused by that since I know that my OB used that term to describe what is going on with me.

The good news though is that Clomid & HCG can help this little LP issue & currently, we'll be doing injectables + HCG (if I make it that far ). My last cycle of injectables I ended up Oing before the HCG trigger shot but my RE said, "You WILL get to do the trigger eventually"... we're working on the issue. We're upping my dose of Follistim in order to help prevent early O.

TFS... I need to go back & re-read this book now that I know more about what is really going on with my body.

[GoldenTickets]

Originally Posted by ~InHisHands~

Interesting... I went back & noticed I have a few cycles where I was spotting after CD 6 & I bet you anything I have more than I "recorded". I know toward the end my spotting gets so light that I just quit counting it b/c it literally feels like if I don't I'd have 10 days of spotting or something.

I agree! This is exactly I I stopped tracking the "spotting days" too... (if I had a nice piece of software, like fertility friend, back then, I might've continued tracking the spotting days. I was only using a calendar though!)

Originally Posted by ~InHisHands~

It does mention that hormonal imbalances can cause this such as PCOS & thyroid problems which I have been dx with Thyroid issues though I'm being treated for them. It also led me to the section "Luteal Phase Problems" in ch 12, "Practical Tips Beyond Fertility Awareness" which leads me to believe that I could have fertilized several eggs over the past 4 years & they just not implant due to my progesterone defect.

Now I can't find this in MY book! I don't have a "Luteal Phase Problems" in my chapter 12, just "Short Luteal Phases." My book pointed me to Appendix A, "Spotting Before Menstruation" because treatment for postmenstrual bleeding is the same as treatment for premenstrual bleeding? IDK. The information is pretty similar to what you quoted, though. I'm glad I could help you, and hopefully this may help at least one of us in our TTC quest!