Let's talk mid-cycle bleeding.
Menstruation is synonymous with bleeding. But what does it mean if we spot mid-cycle?
First and foremost, it can be important to get checked out by your doc so you can rule out any potentially serious issues. Otherwise, there can be a few possibilities:
1 Ovulation Spotting
This is thought to be the result of a sudden drop in estrogen just before ovulation. Because progesterone hasn’t yet been released in order to sustain the lining, it may leak a small amount of blood until progesterone takes over.
This tends to happen in perimenopause.
2 Anovulatory Spotting
Ovulation may not have occurred at all.
Estrogen may not have reached the threshold required for the egg to be released, but a drop in estrogen still causes a slight shedding of the uterus.
Estrogen may actually continue to stimulate the growth of the uterine lining so much so that it can’t support itself sufficiently, causing breakthrough bleeding. (this is what I see most frequently)
This may also be the result of decreased sensitivity to Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). As a result, ovulation does not occur and without progesterone to sustain the lining, spotting occurs.
The two biggest questions to figure out mid-cycle spotting:
1 Is this normal for YOU?
2 Are you definitely ovulating?
Once you can answer these questions, you can start to figure out how to approach any potential issues.
Wanting to learn more about how to track your cycle? Check out my new eCourse, Conscious Conception, which I just launched. It has an entire 5-lesson module on how to master your cycle (including how to work through an irregular one!).
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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
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References
Brighten, J. (2019). Beyond the Pill. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
Hendrickson-Jack, L. (2019). The Fifth Vital Sign. Fertility Friday Publishing.
Weschler, T. (2015). Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
TTC? Get empowered with Conscious Conception, the ultimate fertility blueprint created to help you optimize your fertility and enter pregnancy empowered.
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