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SPOTTING SPOTTING GO AWAY

by Elizabeth
(Indiana)

I've struggled with regulating a normal cycle ever since quitting birth control almost SIX years ago (I'm now 32). I've been diagnosed with vitamin D defiency, iron deficiency and dariy & egg intolerance. I am 5'9 and weigh 135 pounds. While I don't have the typical over-weight issues as others, I have also been diagnosed with PCOS. I have only ovulated a handful of times on my own (I have physical sensations as well as a temperature shift). Normally, I do not ovulate. Regardless, I consistently have brown spotting beginning days 18-21 followed by a period. I have become pregnant twice with fertility injections but miscarried both and will NOT do that again.

My DO had prescribed 100 mg progesterone suppositories 3 months ago but IT IS NOT ENOUGH! The spotting continues. My question is if it is beneficial at all to take a small amount of progesterone in the beginning of the cycle or continue to wait until day 14. Also,if I take a higher dosage the 2nd half of the cycle, will I make it to 28 days? Ideally, I would like to restore normal ovulation if it's possible. I have learned so much from your site, it is a blessing. Why can't docotors understand and support your information??

I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT 28 DAYS...

Comments for SPOTTING SPOTTING GO AWAY

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Feb 29, 2012
 Spotting, spotting, go away
by: Anonymous

I am also interested in comments to this post.
Mar 01, 2012
 SPOTTING SPOTTING GO AWAY
by: Wray

Hi Elizabeth Well I'm delighted you've had a vitamin D test done, and if the lab or doctor has said it's low, then it must be very low! For more info on vitamin D levels, testing etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. I'm relieved you're not going for the fertility drugs again, there's no reason why the PCOS can't be revered. It's caused by oxidative stress, often a lack of vitamin D is behind it. The page gives info on how to reverse it, large amounts of antioxidants are needed. The spotting is caused by having a defective luteal phase, ie insufficient progesterone. We do have more info on our Menstruation Cycle page about a defective luteal phase. 100mg/day is the minimum I recommend, always more if symptoms are bad. The PCOS page gives an idea of how much you should use and when. I often recommend using it daily for 2-3 months to ensure progesterone becomes dominant. But not small amounts, the same large amount throughout the cycle. Then once things are stable, the cycle can be followed. It's not a quick fix, most of the studies done on vitamin D, N-acetyl cysteine, arginine and inositol found it took up to 6 months before ovulation returned. It obviously depends on how severe the problem is. You don't appear to have all the major symptoms such as hairiness, acne, excess weight etc, which is a blessing. Please get your vitamin D up high, towards the 100ng/ml level, mine is currently 91.8ng/ml. But a friend's level is 139ng/ml, neither of us get ill. Bless you for the kind words! And yes, if only….I have two women with asthma and another with post natal seizures, all going it alone on the progesterone. This concerns me as a flare up can be bad, but then none of them have found relief from the drugs they're given. They only keep symptoms at bay. Although not for the seizure woman, she still got them. There are a few doctors who understand progesterone, but a rare breed! Take care Wray
Mar 13, 2012
 response
by: Elizabeth

Thanks for your reply. Actually, I have struggled with other symptoms. I have a fairly low body fat percentage (any fat I have collects on my hips and thighs), acne, and extra hair on my abdomen and face.

Do you really propose that I begin the progesterone when I stop bleeding and take it straight through a cycle? Versus waiting until day 14/15? My doctor agreed to up the dosage to 200 mg daily. I had my blood draw to recheck the vitamin D and iron, but my appointment to review the results is not until 3/21. Thanks for any support and non-traiditional suggestions you might have. I desperately want to return to a normal, natural, ovulating cycle!
Mar 16, 2012
 response
by: Wray

Hi Elizabeth So you do have a few of the other symptoms. We do have a page on Acne you could look through. Plus our Nutrition page too. There's a link to Dr Cordain's site the Paleo Diet, he's studied acne extensively, and found it never occurs in hunter/gatherer tribes. Principally because their blood glucose is stable. All sugars should be avoided, plus all grains, legumes and sweet starchy fruits and veggies. Fructose, sucrose and glucose decrease SHBG by 80, 50 and 40% respectively, see here. This allows free testosterone to rise, causing the acne, extra hair etc. If bound to SHBG testosterone becomes inactive. Progesterone also assists as it increases SHBG globulin, thereby reducing the testosterone, see here. I always suggest using the progesterone daily for 2-3 months to many women if they have PCOS, and other severe symptoms. This ensures progesterone becomes dominant, and suppresses any excess oestrogen and testosterone. But it is essential to take the nutrients and in high doses, listed on the PCOS page, progesterone alone is not going to reverse it. Take care Wray
Mar 24, 2012
 response
by: Elizabeth

Thanks, Wray. My vit D has risen to 70 ng/ml and my ferritan (previously anemic) to 66.9 ng/ml. I have read the pages you suggested. I am having my thyroid further tested as well. This cycle, I made it to day 26 before VERY light spotting started. Thanks again.
Mar 29, 2012
 response
by: Wray

Hi Elizabeth I'm so pleased your vitamin D is at a good level. I'm delighted the spotting was so light, and you made it to day 26 before any occurred. Let's hope it continues to get better. take care Wray

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