Spotting right before period

[joannela]

I went off the pill almost 2 years ago.  Generally, my periods have been regular, though they are lighter than I remember when I was younger (they were very heavy for 5 days when I was younger, now they're moderate for about 3 days).  I start regular bleeding (red blood, regular flow) on the 26th day of my cycle, but most months I begin spotting a few days before my period.  This spotting is generally a brownish, very light flow.  Sometimes it's two days before my period then nothing for a day, then regular flow, sometimes 2 days of spotting before regular flow, sometimes 2 days of spotting, nothing for a couple days, then regular flow.  What is with the spotting?  Does it mean something is wrong?  What day should I consider day 1 of my cycle, the start of regular bleeding or the spotting preceding it? I also have a pretty short cycle - 25 days between regular bleeding - is that abnormally short? BTW:  I'm 35, no children, but previous pregnancy termination about 15 years ago.

Thanks -
J.

[greenpixie]

I experience spotting before AF too.  Mine is continuous though.  By that I mean I may spot 2-3 days and AF comes immediately after, there is no break in between.  I don't know what it means either, but no dr has ever been too concerned about it.  I bbt chart and my temp always drops on the day I get true flow so I count that as day 1.

[kimmie_n_angus]

spotting is normal and usually indicates old blood. most woman spot before starting there cycle. cycle day one is the 1st day of a real bleed that requires a tampon or pad. if you are on the pill i recommend consulting your doc. i got PG on the pill after 6 yrs becuz i didn't recognize the change in my cycle while on it. spotting prior to your period is good...if there are many days between the onset of spotting and flow there might be some concern....any bleeding before stopping your pills is not good. i was told it was normal and got PG and found out i was immune to me pill.

kimmie