Q&A: Spotting before my period. Should I call my doctor?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

The first day of my last period was November 4. My next period is due December 2. I was at the doctor around November 11 and he said I was ovulating. This whole month I have had lower stomach cramps, my breasts have been really tender and on thanksgiving night I started to spot slightly, which is a week before my period is due.

My first question is how my doctor knew I was ovulating by doing a pelvic exam. He said something about the discharge, but I was wondering if he could just be seeing semen left from the night before with my husband.

My second question is should I be concerned about the spotting. We are trying to have a baby and was wondering how long I should go with the spotting before calling the doctor. I don't want to be a pest.

Your doctor probably used two pieces of information--a cystic follicle felt on one of your ovaries and the elasticity of your mucus, which isn't usually confused with semen. However, he could only diagnose that you were at or approaching ovulation, not specifically ovulating right then and there. The spotting is unrelated to the exam, since it happened too long after. It could possibly be a ruptured cyst or a lackluster second phase of your cycle, which all women have from time to time. It shouldn't impact your chances of pregancy, except for this particular cycle.

Sign Up for Our Newsletters
Follow Us
from beyond babyzone:
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, profile photo and other personal information you make public on Facebook (e.g., school, work, current city, age) will appear with your comment. Comments, together with personal information accompanying them, may be used on BabyZone.com and other Disney media platforms. Learn More.
BabyZone Community
Look Who's Talking New
in BabyZone Community
X

more in BabyZone

10 Excitingly Exotic Baby Names
10 Excitingly Exotic Baby Names
read more >