Period/Spotting Question

Another possibility--but I don't know about your situation. Two years ago, at age 36, I started having very similar experiences every month prior to my period. I began spotting lightly for 2-5 days each month before my regular period started. Since I had never experienced anything like that before (I had always had very regular periods my entire life) I kind of freaked out. I went to a gynecologist who referred me for an ultrasound. The only thing they could figure out was that I had a large fibroid (common--about 1 in 4 women have them) that was presumably interfering with the lining of my uterus, causing the premenstrual spotting. The doctor wasn't particularly concerned and said there really wasn't anything to do about it--unless I wanted a hysterectomy! So, now I just have to deal with several days of spotting each month, in addition to my period--kind of a bother, but not really a big deal. Thankfully, it didn't affect my ability to conceive. I now have a beautiful 7 month old baby girl. Maybe that is of help???

Hi L.,
This was how my periods acted for years--several days of brown spotting and then a real period. While not exactly "normal" it's also not an emergency. I recommend that you check out a book from the library called "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Wechsler. It's all the stuff I wished I had learned in high school health class. After reading it, I felt so much more in tune with my body. Another good book is called "The Fertility Cure," by Randine Lewis, it's for women experiencing infertility, but tells you what a menstrual cycle is supposed to look like and it has very detailed examples of "dysfunctional" cycles and some ways to correct that. I have an insatiable appetite for information about the female reproductive system, so even though I've never had trouble getting pregnant, I read stuff on behalf of people... Good luck! Knowledge is power!

I am not sure about all your situation, but I know that since I have gotten off birth control my period keeps changing, and I have more spotting days than I did before. Hormonal changes of any kind can make a change.