Regular mid-cycle spotting and not getting pregnant

[Anonymous]

We've been TTC for over a year, and I regularly start spotting anywhere from 5-7 days after ovulation, and it lasts until I get my period (pretty regular periods). I'm 39, and have never been pregnant. They suspect it's from a drop in progesterone levels, but don't give it much more thought than that. I can't help but think it's a major factor in my TTC dilemma. Has anyone had any similar experiences? We've just completed one round of IUI with a BFN.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

are you being seen by an RE?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, being seen by an RE, but he doesn't seem to be concerned about why the spotting occurs or how to fix it. Just pushes the IUI protocol.

[Anonymous]

Even though it may be true that this does not affect your fertility, they really should tell you what is happening! It is sad when your doctor gives you the impression he/she is only interested in money-generating interventions...

I had mid-cycle spotting, and my GYN diagnosed benign ovarian cysts - not big enough to take out, just little ones that come and go with my cycle. He told me a contraceptive pill would keep them in check, but since we were TTC, I did not want to do this. Indeed, we conceived a few months later.

Consult your regular GYN, they will probably give you an honest answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even though it may be true that this does not affect your fertility, they really should tell you what is happening! It is sad when your doctor gives you the impression he/she is only interested in money-generating interventions...

I had mid-cycle spotting, and my GYN diagnosed benign ovarian cysts - not big enough to take out, just little ones that come and go with my cycle. He told me a contraceptive pill would keep them in check, but since we were TTC, I did not want to do this. Indeed, we conceived a few months later.

Consult your regular GYN, they will probably give you an honest answer.

They might, or they might not be completely abreast of infertility. I was misdiagnosed by a gyn who missed all the basic markers for later stage endometriosis (and I am not the only one on this board who has had the same thing happen). I would first ask the RE again for a more detailed explanation. The ovarian cysts would have been spotted on multiple ultrasounds. In OP's case, they may be pushing more intervention because she doesn't have cysts, but rather has issues with her estrogen at the beginning of her cycle (better estrogen numbers lead to better progesterone numbers in many cases). Often, fertility drugs will improve the quality of the ovulatory cycle (whether you are talking timed intercourse, IUI, or IVF).