If you typically spot before AF ...

[Kharen]

... how long are you spotting before you start to truly bleed?

The past few months, I feel like I'm waiting forever for AF to finally start already. I spot lightly for about three days. This seems long to me, so I was curious about others' spotting patterns.

I am not experiencing the very dark brown/black spotting that might be indicative of endometrial breakdown problems; on the contrary, the spotting is usually very light brown or pink. Still, it seems like it takes my body a while to commit to an all-out flow.

Any thoughts, commisserations, etc. are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
K

[GearGirl]

This happened to me for a while when I was in my early 20's (maybe 6 months) and it hasn't happened since. I still don't know why it happened!

[lilyka]

I spot for two days, have a very heavy flow for two days and then spot for another two days with an occaisional gush. I hate it. for a while i would start with the 2 days of heavy flow and then spot for 3 days. itotally prefered that. It is usually dark brown tacky spotting. Don't know what that means.

[Kharen]

Thanks for your responses, ladies. AF showed after about 2.5 days of spotting, so I guess that's in the realm of normalcy. I should have mentioned that spotting usually doesn't start until DPO13, so I don't think I have a luteal phase issue. I was just curious to know if of couple days of spotting before AF was, in fact, pretty common among most women. I assumed it was, but you never know.

I appreciate your feedback!

[BrookeAD]

Originally Posted by lilyka

I spot for two days, have a very heavy flow for two days and then spot for another two days with an occaisional gush.

This sounds almost exactly like my period.

[fibre_artist]

2-3 days before (light brown), 2-3 days red, 4-5 days brown 'sludge' (blech!). None of my doctors have had a problem with it, but it bugs me.

[Rowan Tree]

I used to spot just like that for 3 or 4 days before my period. Since having a baby, I only spot after AF.

[coome]

it sounds like this is more normal than i thought too! i usually spot about 2 days, flow for 2-3, spot for 1 or 2 more. i had a new obgyn appt yesterday and she said no worries. i'm getting a progesterone test just in case, but it sounds like if it's not affecting the luteal phase it should be ok...that's my .02! hope we all feel a little more normal now