Is this hurting my chances?

[Teetina]

The last few months my temperature has been dropping mid-luteal phase and hovering right above the cover line until AF shows up a few days later. After that happens, when I check my cervix sometimes there is a tinge of pink or brown to my CM though nothing actually makes it to my underwear. The closer it gets to AF, the more blood there is in there, until maybe the day before where it starts to spot on toilet paper. I don't know if that is considered true spotting or not, or if its normal. My LP is usually 12 days.

I should mention that I had a miscarriage at 13 weeks at the beginning of May.

May - temperature dropped one day before AF (12DPO), first cycle after m/c
June - temperature dropped two days before AF (11DPO)
July - temperature dropped four days before AF (9DPO)
August - temperature dropped three days before AF (9DPO) and LP one day shorter

Does this pattern mean anything? After my temperature drops, do I have any chance at implantation anymore?

[EllyMayMomma]

Just from remembering charts I have looked at on FF, that does not sound unusual but I don't really know. Until someone who knows comes on here, you might compare charts on FF if you use it.

[Attached2Elijah]

Hmmm the spotting paired with the shorter LP, it could mean low progesterone levels.

It's normal for your temp to drop 1-2 days before AF though. The 4 days, that seems a little early. I would definitely get your progesterone levels checked out. I don't know that it would KEEP you from implanting but I'm willing to bet that it would make it a little harder. I had a 12 day LP when I got pregnant with my daughter but my temp usually dropped the day before AF. Good luck!

[Teetina]

It does feel like my progesterone plummets that day since my breasts are tender before that and then the morning my temperature drops they feel normal again.

I poked around on Fertility Friend but I didn't seem to find many charts like mine. Has anyone else had this happen to them? What was the outcome?

[Sourire]

Teetina, I have a similar problem though not quite the same. I start getting spotting halfway through my luteal phase though my temperatures remain fairly high, and the spotting continues until my temperatures drop and I get my period.

I have only been TTC for 1 month, but in the TWW of that first month TTC a lot of things happened that convinced me that I was pregnant however I suspect that my progesterone began dropping too soon and so I started spotting then got my period.

I am a bit concerned that this is going to continue to be a problem with my TTC in the long run so I have decided to try acupuncture in the hope that it can help with this. My first appointment is this Friday.

Let me know if anything works for you because maybe it could help me as well!

[jenger]

Teetina-

Your LP is a lot like my LP with no progesterone, with the exception that I never spotted...

Regardless, my temp would drop a couple days before af, and on an already short-ish LP, there is a chance that it is messing with you chances...

One option is to get some high quality progesterone cream, use it after you've confirmed ovulation, until af. (Keep using when you get your BFP).

Otherwise, I would guess there are medical professionals that would happily prescribe progesterone to you. I visited a RE ONCE, and he gave me a script, not because of any test, but because "it couldn't hurt".

I honestly think it's great, and haven't felt so few pms symptoms my whole life... But that's me...

I hope this helps!

[Teetina]

Thank you for your replies everyone. Its nice to know I'm not alone. I suspect it could be progesterone but my LP is more than 10 days so I don't know what to think. I really don't mind being patient for pregnancy to happen but I don't want to be waiting if I don't even have a chance.

I've been hesitant to go to the doctor because it hasn't been a year since we started TTC and only 5 months since the miscarriage. From reading MDC I have this impression that most doctors don't place much value in charting and that they won't really take me seriously before a year of trying is up. I suppose its possible my cycle is still straightening out from my miscarriage. I guess if it happens again this cycle I will make an appointment and see what she says. It doesn't hurt to try.

What kind of tests should I ask for? Just progestorone?

Its funny you mention PMS jenger. Before this started happening to me I had no symptoms except for dull backaches once AF started. Now I've been getting sore breasts, acne, mood swings, and pinchy types of cramps above my pubic bone every month. I just figured my body had changed from pregnancy.

How did your acupuncture go Sourire?

[GaleTX]

I have a very similar situation - each month I start out well following O, with temps rising. Usually around 5-6 days before AF is due, my temp starts to drop and I spot until I eventually drop below the coverline and start AF. I'm seeing an OB and a RE and have had my progesterone levels checked three times - the result is always normal, as has been all my blood work. The only thing left to do as far as tests go is the endometrial biopsy, but DH and I have decided to wait on that and see if the Clomid he prescribed does the trick since the course of action my OB would take for LPD would be Clomid anyway. I feel for you - it is so frustrating to *know* something isn't right, but not be able to figure out what it is.

[Sourire]

Originally Posted by Teetina

How did your acupuncture go Sourire?

Well I am currently going once a week for the acupuncture, but I have not yet had a LP since I started so I don't know yet whether it is working. My acupuncturist says it can take 2-3 cycles before you get the full effect so it could be a while before I see any results.

I also started taking a B complex with 100mg of B6 at the same time. This is also supposed to help support the LP.

If one of those 2 works I may never know which one really helped most! Anyways I will keep you posted, my period is due at the beginning of October so if it is late I will know something is working!