On-going Spotting

Hello - I’m a 35 year old woman with a 20 month old child (via cesarean). I nursed exclusively for 6 months and still nurse once a day. I monitor my basal temperature and cervical fluid each cycle, and I believe I started ovulating again in May 2010.  My periods are usually 8-10 days long with some spotting. For the last 9 cycles I have noticed that the spotting has been getting progressively worse with each cycle to the point where I’m “bleeding” for almost my entire cycle.  I usually had a break from spotting during my fertile phase, but this month my fertile cervical fluid is brown or red-tinted. My husband and I used condoms during intercourse, but we are now trying to get pregnant again. What could be causing this spotting, and could the spotting hinder achieving pregnancy?  

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
The type of bleeding/spotting you are describing is definitely NOT normal.  If you were my patient, I would do a complete exam and pap smear to rule out cervical problems such as polyps.  I would also do an ultrasound to rule out problems with the uterine lining and the wall of the uterus -- such as fibroids and hyperplasia.  Depending upon the findings, an endometrial biopsy might be in order.  More likely, we would end up doing some hormone testing such as prolactin and thyroid levels.  I would definitely recommend that you give your Ob/gyn a call and get a check-up soon!
Good luck!
Dr B