[Fallen2Love]

I'm not sure this is the right place to post, but I'm just getting rather frustrated with my cycle being so irregular. I never know what to expect.

Depend on who you ask, I'm either on CD 39 or CD 34. I had 5 days of spotting before AF kicked into gear. Last month my cycle was 31 or 36 days, with again 5 days of spotting leading up to AF. But generally I've been varying between 30 and 36 days with 3 days of spotting leading up to AF.

I'm just getting so frustrated because I can't tell if I'm late, or if my body is just being challenged. I've got one test, but it expired in July so its no good. I can't justify buying a test until both days are past 36.-- so Sunday I'll buy a test if AF hasn't started. But this is just getting frustrating. I've got no signs or symptoms of AF or pregnancy. SO I have no idea what is going on this month.

[AmandaEliz]

I count the 1st day of my cycle as the day I see bright red blood, not spotting. I would say that you're on CD34.
Before I had DS, I used to spot for a few days before AF, too. I think I was really off on my ovulation day when we were TTC because I was counting the spotting as CD1. Are you temping at all? Being able to see your charts would really help.
Keep us posted if you test.

[MamaAnna]

Spotting doesn't count as CD 1. It has to be at least a light, bright red flow. It isn't uncommon to have spotting leading up to AF or mid-cycle spotting for some women. Since it's your norm just mark it on your chart and when it turns into a light flow then you have CD 1 and are on a fresh cycle. If your cycles are irregular you can always talk to your doctor about checking your hormone levels to see what might be causing it.

[CandaceDianne]

Usually FF wont call spotting CD1. Do you use OPKs? that may help with at least finding out if you will O.

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

I think it would be great for you to start charting. This would really help you nail down when to expect AF and also help you to see if you have a normal length luteal phase and if you are ovulating normally. I also think opks would be a good idea.

I agree on starting with the first day you have a light flow.

Hopefully you will be able to take a test soon. Keep us posted!

[Fallen2Love]

With the spotting what is throwing me off, is its enough to have to wear a pantyliner. Its not just when you wipe after using the bathroom. Its just not bright red in color - its always brown. SO yea.

I am not temping it is on my list of things to buy is the right temp. I am just not really sure b/c I don't wake up at the same time every day. Its kind of erratic when I wake up. BUT typically within the same 30 minutes during the week, on the weekend I sleep for an extra hour and half. SO does that mean the chart would be off by not taking it at the same time of day - even if its right when you wake up? I also don't sleep through the night, or am very restless. But yeah....that is where i am with the temp thing.

I don't want to cause a panic in my household - I did mention something to DH last night that my cycle is just REALLY long this month or at least it seems like it. He did ask me "are you sure your not pregnant?" because I could smell our leftover dinner in the fridge from last night (steaks and potatoes) just like it was still cooking. Aside from that - IDK if its AF or what, but I've been really gassy and am having a lot of back pain and cramping. Which was typicaly while I was on BC but since coming off its gotten a lot better. This is the first month where I am really feeling ill.

[CandaceDianne]

If AF doesnt show up in the next few days, I would test.
Charting is great, just use your thermostat at home (digitals are ok! BBT is best, but not necessary). It will confirm ovulation and can show a BFP pattern after Oing. Its a great tool and just fascinating! Pick up a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility, excellent book!!! To chart, you can sign up for free at fertility friend. GL!!!

[DeepSouthMommy]

Hi there! I have to correct something that I've seen happen elsewhere on JM. Sorry girls, I don't mean to offend anyone by making this correction, but there have been a few people mislead because of this.

The first day that you start counting on is the first day that you have a flow that is more than just occasional spotting. It does NOT have to be bright red blood. As I told someone prior, if I waited for bright red blood, I'd be 3-4 days into AF before I started counting. At first I have only very dark (black or brown looking) old blood and do not see anything bright until later during AF when I am starting to get fresher blood that is passing.

In the meanwhile though, I would agree that you should test. If AF still hasn't started in a few days, I'd call your doctor and talk to them about it. They may have some further ideas/suggestions as to what's going on or what to do. Good luck and keep us posted!

[Fallen2Love]

I think AF is starting to gear up - saw a little bit of blood this AM when using the restroom. We shall see.

Does the temp type really matter? I do have a normal one (Safety First, and a good one from the hospital somewhere - but that one always goes MIA).

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Originally Posted by DeepSouthGirl

Hi there! I have to correct something that I've seen happen elsewhere on JM. Sorry girls, I don't mean to offend anyone by making this correction, but there have been a few people mislead because of this.

The first day that you start counting on is the first day that you have a flow that is more than just occasional spotting. It does NOT have to be bright red blood. As I told someone prior, if I waited for bright red blood, I'd be 3-4 days into AF before I started counting. At first I have only very dark (black or brown looking) old blood and do not see anything bright until later during AF when I am starting to get fresher blood that is passing.

In the meanwhile though, I would agree that you should test. If AF still hasn't started in a few days, I'd call your doctor and talk to them about it. They may have some further ideas/suggestions as to what's going on or what to do. Good luck and keep us posted!

You are entitled to your opinion, but this is not what most charting books say and my fertility doctor specifically told me to count cycle day one as red bleeding not spotting. I think this is just a difference of opinion but I do not think you should count brown spotting as AF. If you are having a lot of brown spotting before your AF you may be having some sort of hormonal issue.

I was trying to find some sources on this but I am having a hard time finding links. Here is one link I found.

For example, women are often unsure of the significance of spotting. They think that the spotting signals the start of their period, and count the spotting as Day 1. Actually, the spotting is pre-menstrual spotting, and should be ignored. Only the start of a proper flow is considered to be Day 1. If they miscalculate, they end up mis-charting their entire cycle, and get frustrated and confused. To make a bad situation worse, they are reluctant to ask their doctor about this, because they feel that this is basic knowledge,which every women should know, and they don't want to ask "stupid " questions.

Ten Monthly Mistakes Infertile Women Make

Originally Posted by Fallen2Love

I think AF is starting to gear up - saw a little bit of blood this AM when using the restroom. We shall see.

Does the temp type really matter? I do have a normal one (Safety First, and a good one from the hospital somewhere - but that one always goes MIA).

I would try to get a bbt thermometer if you can. They are much more sensitive. If you don't get up at the exact same time your chart will not be as accurate but if you get up within a half hour time range I think you will be okay. Anything over an hour difference though would probably make your chart hard to read. Since you have irregular cycles it is even more important to have your chart as accurate as possible. What I do is set my alarm, write my temp down, and go back to sleep.

I would try to chart as much info as you can. If you can add cervical mucus and position that will help a lot.

[DeepSouthMommy]

Originally Posted by pattyandthemoos

You are entitled to your opinion, but this is not what most charting books say and my fertility doctor specifically told me to count cycle day one as red bleeding not spotting. I think this is just a difference of opinion but I do not think you should count brown spotting as AF. If you are having a lot of brown spotting before your AF you may be having some sort of hormonal issue.

I just wanted to clarify my post from yesterday, I wasn't saying to include the early spotting as CD1, I was just saying that your early flow may not be bright red. You definitely need to have a flow for it to count as CD1, (not spotting, that doesn't count as Patty pointed out). I was just saying that for me, I get a flow, but it's not bright red until a few days later. The earlier flow for me is very dark blood. I think that was the case for another girl who, the other day was confused because she thought she had to wait until she saw actual bright red blood...not the darker blood flow that she has at first. Sorry for any confusion.

[ShawnaCAN]

Bright red bleeding isn't what determines the start of a cycle. That is actually a common fertility myth that keeps circulating around.

The first day of menstruation is the first day of flow after ovulation has been confirmed - so the first day you need more than a pantyliner. It doesn't matter what color the bleeding is, it's the heaviness that determines the difference between spotting and bleeding. Pre-menstrual spotting days can be pink or red, and menstrual bleeding days can be brown or black (though that usually indicates a hormonal imbalance.) The day it begins to flow instead of spot, it's CD1 no matter what color it is.

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Originally Posted by ShawnaCAN

Bright red bleeding isn't what determines the start of a cycle. That is actually a common fertility myth that keeps circulating around.

The first day of menstruation is the first day of flow after ovulation has been confirmed - so the first day you need more than a pantyliner. It doesn't matter what color the bleeding is, it's the heaviness that determines the difference between spotting and bleeding. Pre-menstrual spotting days can be pink or red, and menstrual bleeding days can be brown or black (though that usually indicates a hormonal imbalance.) The day it begins to flow instead of spot, it's CD1 no matter what color it is.

Thanks Shawna. I have read in several places that it needed to be a red flow and when I called to schedule my appt for CD10 the nurse specifically asked me if my AF was a red flow and not spotting. I didn't realize that a brown flow counted as well. I do consider a flow anything that requires a panty liner but I just thought it needed to be red.

If I have the opportunity I am going to get my docs opinion on this as well. I am going to add this discussion to our Charting school too so that people can refer back to it.

[ShawnaCAN]

Originally Posted by pattyandthemoos

the nurse specifically asked me if my AF was a red flow and not spotting.

Yes, that has relevance for other things (hormones especially) - but not determining the start of the cycle. Lots of people think you can tell the difference between breakthrough bleeding, withdrawal bleeding, true menstruation, and implantation by the color of bleeding - but that's not actually true. The type of bleeding it is gets determined by the overall cycle, the CM patterns and such. Not all physicians are well trained in matters of fertility. In fact, when I did my Nursing in 2001 we hardly covered fertility at all! My DH and I had taken an NFP class by then and I knew more from that than I did from my education! Pretty sad.