Hi, I usually post on the irritable bowel board, but sometimes I think my problems result from messed up hormones or something.
Anyway, the reason I'm writing is because over the past few months I have had some spotting 2 or 3 days before my period starts. I have always had a short cycle, about 3 1/2 weeks, and that hasn't changed, but at the three week mark I will spot, and then I won't for a couple days, then I will again just before my period starts full force. Should I be worried? Also over the past few years I have been getting pains midcycle (around ovulation), which I know isn't unusual, but the pains seem to be getting worse with time. And during my last period I had cramps so bad they woke me up from a dead sleep twice in one night.
I have exactly the same problem! I'm 23 and I also have IBS, and i have had constant UTI's aswell. About 6 months ago, my periods started doing the same as yours. About a week before my period, I started spotting, with dull cramping, and then wen my period actually started, I have been having the most painful cramps I have ever had - and I used to get bad cramps anyway, but with the cramps now, I have even been in that much pain it has woken me up, made me sick, everything.
Over the past 6 months the spotting has become less and less, and instead of a week before my period, I'm now only 2 days spotting, but my period has also gotten lighter (but still with the cramps). I have been a bit worried about it, as my husband and I have been trying for a baby and nothing has happened, so I went to the doctor and he has taken some blood tests for hormone levels, and I will find out if there is anything that shows up in about 10 days.
I'll let you know how I go.
I didn't think there was anyone else out there who was going through this too! Hopefully it's an easily treatable hormone level problem. I'm really worried at the moment that it's the reason I haven't gotten pregnant yet. I hope everything goes ok for you and I'll keep you informed on my results.
I have also been dealing with this for the past several cycles. Some people will say that's it's normal, but I'm not so sure. Common, maybe, but I'm not convinced that it's not indicative of some sort of problem. With your short cycles you may want to look up some info on Luteal Phase Defect (LPD). It may be that you have low progesterone produciton.
