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Last Updated:
Sep 10th, 2007 - 18:59:21
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Question
I am trying to keep track of my menstrual cycle in order to be prepared for planning our next pregnancy, but since the birth of my first baby 1 year ago, my cycle has changed. I now have light spotting on and off for about 1 week before any regular bleeding starts.
So, does that mean that day 1 of my cycle now begins on the first day that I notice light spotting or the first day of regular, obvious bleeding. I used to have a period with relatively heavy bleeding and no spotting, which was much easier to chart. I am still breastfeeding my baby 2 times per day, but I started my period again when my baby was 5 months old. It's only in the last 3-4 cycles that I've noticed this problem. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Sally
Answer
Dear Sally,
What you are experiencing is known as irregular shedding, a sign of luteal phase inadequacy that is usually easily corrected by nutrition. We suggest you consult Marilyn Shannon's book, Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition, for diet and supplemental suggestions. Day one of your cycle would be the first day of temperature drop to your low temperature level. Any days of spotting at the high temperature level would be counted as part of your previous cycle.
Ron and Andrea Gronsky
This question was answered by Ron and Andrea Gronsky, a certified teaching couple for the Couple to Couple League, and members of CANFP.
They have been teaching the Sympto-Thermal Method of natural family planning in the San Francisco Bay Area for 16 years.
© Copyright 2005 by CANFP
The information on this page and web site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment by a physician.
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