[Shalyn]

I had my yearly at the beginning of October and told my doctor about my spotting that I have 2-3 days before my period. She brushed it off like it was totally normal.

Well the more I research, I think I may have low progesterone. So I called the office last Friday and talked to a nurse, told her I am TTC and that I was concerned that I have low progesterone. She said "Normally we don't do anything until you've been TTC for one year." I said "I know but I am concerned about this and it can't hurt to get it tested." She said she would talk to my doctor on Tuesday when she was in and call me back. So this morning, the nurse calls me back. Her profound answer was "Well I talked to your Doctor and she told me to tell you to start using OPK's." I said "Well I have been using them for 3 or 4 months." She says "Are you getting a surge?" I told her I was and she says "Well then if you are ovulating then you have the proper hormone levels."

What the heck? Do they think I am STUPID?????? I mean come on how hard would it be to order one test for a concerned patient???? I am seriously considering finding a new OB which makes me sad because this doctor delivered both my girls. Mark my words if I get pregnant and then have a m/c I will be calling them and ripping them a new one!!!!! I am so mad!

[Lucy May's Mommy]

I'm sorry they brushed you off. Can you call and ask to speak to the Dr directly? Maybe the nurse didn't translate your question correctly. If they still brush you off I would look into another one. A Dr should always take concerns seriously.

Spotting can be normal for some people. I have spotting 3-4 days before AF almost every cycle. Last cycle was weird and I spotted for 7 days. If that happens again this month I'll be calling. When TTC my DD I had a blood draw and my progesterone levels were normal. They then did an ultrasound and thought there could be some endo and were going to repeat but I conceived that next cycle. I don't have any other real symptoms of endo though so I think it's just normal for me. Having a blood draw is a good idea to know for sure though.

[ShawnaCAN]

Aw that's frustrating. Unfortunately, most doctors don't actually hear anything about charting or how it can be used as a diagnostic tool in medical school. It's only starting to be included now, and only in some med schools. Hope you can get the help you need.

[jenisuzy]

I think I mentioned this in another thread but I also have the spotting 3-5 days EVERY cycle before AF. This cycle though it lasted a loooooong 7 days, I was starting to get really irritated b/c my doc always brushes it off as well. I am going to try round 2 of clomid this month & she said she'd do up to 3 rounds. If all are unsuccessful I am still going to bring up the spotting issue yet again and be persistent b/c it just does not seem right. I dont EVER remember having that before going on the pill ........

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Originally Posted by jenisuzy

I think I mentioned this in another thread but I also have the spotting 3-5 days EVERY cycle before AF. This cycle though it lasted a loooooong 7 days, I was starting to get really irritated b/c my doc always brushes it off as well. I am going to try round 2 of clomid this month & she said she'd do up to 3 rounds. If all are unsuccessful I am still going to bring up the spotting issue yet again and be persistent b/c it just does not seem right. I dont EVER remember having that before going on the pill ........

I don't have spotting before AF normally but I have really long periods and have spotting for days. I normally have a 10-11 day cycle with 5-6 days of full AF followed by 3-5 days of spotting. Since I have started taking the Clomid my AF has been more like 4 days followed by 2 days of spotting. It really seemed to make AF better.

As for the progesterone check, I am not sure what to say. I might just call some other doctors and see if they would be willing to do it for you.